Page 88 of Knot for Me
“I have to finish cleaning,” I say, holding up the towel.
He searches my face, trying to figure me out. “I’ll see you later then?”
“Of course. The house isn’t that big.” I grin to show him I’m not mad.
His shoulders relax, and he chuckles. “Don’t tell Lucas that. He’s proud of how large this mansion is.”
“Of course he cares about the size.” I scoff and head to the next corner.
Cory laughs and puts his book back, leaving the library without another word.
My heart squeezes when the door shuts.
Stupid heart.
ChapterTwenty-Two
REAGAN
Amelie arrives in a flurry of makeup, hair spray, and cursing. The house has been bustling with people all day. They began arriving at one, and the downstairs has since been decorated with fresh flowers in pretty crystal vases. The ballroom is the main focus of the workers, and I haven’t had a chance to peek at what they’ve gotten up to. I’m sure it’s beautiful though; the pack has more than enough money to pay for gorgeous decorations.
“Oh good, you showered.” Amelie gives me a once over. “Hair up or down?”
“Down.” I hate the way updos pull at my scalp. I also hate the ungodly amount of bobby pins that are required to hold said hairstyle in place.
“Good choice,” she says, all business today.
“How are you?”
“Fine. Jeff better not be late. I need a shot.” She hefts the big bag she brought with her onto the bed and unzips it, grabbing a small bottle of tequila. “You game?”
“Only one,” I say. “I can’t get drunk.”
She sighs. “Such a shame.” She uncaps the bottle and salutes me before taking a big swig.
“Oh wow, no glasses, huh?”
Hissing as she finishes swallowing, she shakes her head. “Those are for pansies. Come on.” She gestures me over with her head and offers me the tequila.
“I thought I’d outgrown my old habits.” Nevertheless, I take a big swallow and grimace. It’s not a nice tequila, but the burn is already working to settle my nerves. I won’t be drunk, but at least I’ll be able to ignore the fluttering in my stomach for a little while.
“All right, now that we’re through with that, give me that beautiful face.” Amelie wields a makeup brush like a sword and jabs it toward me.
“Please don’t kill me,” I say, half joking.
I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t. Though if I ever gave Jefferson a second glance, this woman would rip me to shreds.
“I’m going to kill everyone else with how fabulous you’re going to look. Sit.”
I perch on the edge of the bed and watch her work, doing everything she asks. Her lips press into a thin line as she concentrates on my lipstick. Then she works on my eyes and I can’t watch the funny little expressions she makes anymore.
“Oh.”
“What?” I ask, worried she has to start over again. I don’t think I can sit still much longer.
“Nothing,” she says. “I’m talking to myself.”
A second passes before she mutters again, something about death by smoke. This time I laugh a little and she scolds me. I bite my cheeks and think about potentially running into Cornelius tonight to keep myself in control. I’ll be in the kitchen with Katie and her crew. I should be mostly safe from the party-goers. The large doorways and open-ish concept of the mansion suddenly don’t feel so amazing. I’ll be working away, but any alpha walking down the hallway could spot me. If they’re curious, well, there’s no hiding my scent.
