Once she’s gone, I round on Zander, joy bubbling in my chest. “You didn’t tell me.”
“I wanted to let her give you the news.”
I sigh, overcome with relief and gratitude. “Thank you.”
He draws me into his arms. “You know I’d do anything for you.”
“Zander—” I start, about to object to I-don’t-know-what, when he silences me with another kiss. A very hot, demanding, common-sense-obliterating kiss.
A short while later, Zander wanders to the bar with orders to get me a Sprite. Meanwhile, I hunt down the ladies’ room. It’s not so much a bathroom as it is a suite. Between the sofas hang full-length mirrors in gilded frames. I pause in front of one, and after making sure I’m alone, pull my dress up to the top of my thigh-highs. Red stains my cheeks. Yeah, that’s scandalously high. Good thing I’ve stopped drinking.
Back in the hall, couples meander and a pack of O-Chi’s stagger drunkenly by. I turn the corner, my heels clicking on the polished floors. Even more guests mill around outside the ballroom, loitering on cushioned benches and laughing in groups. Just outside the dining room, I see Zander, politely waiting for me with a drink in each hand. The sight warms my heart until I realize who’s keeping him company.
Seated on a bench, batting her big eyes up at him, is Lara. Her legs are crossed and angled in his direction, her dress riding high up her thighs. And I thoughtIwas shameless. Zander is talking to her, but he isn’t smiling. When he sees me approaching, he lets out a breath.
“Oh, look. Shedidcome back,” Lara says, falsely cheerful. Was she trying to convince him I was going to skip out on him? If she likes him so much, why would she be so cruel?
“Where’s Cole?” I ask, pinning her with a glare. I’m getting tired and I’ve had enough of her shit.
“I don’t know,” she simpers. “Where’s your hottie from the library?”
Zander’s back goes rigid.
That bitch.
I smile at him and relieve him of my Sprite. “Come on.”
We almost make it to the ballroom before he stops me with a hand around my elbow. “Did you…are you going out with him?”
“No.” Absolutely not.
“Tell me the truth.”
“Okay, yes. Sort of. But nothing came of it.” There, something close to truth.
“He’s dangerous.”
“I know.” I’m being curt, but so what? I don’t want to talk about Leo. I don’t even want tothinkabout him.
Zander’s jaw pulses. “If he’s hurt you?—”
“He hasn’t.” There, an outright lie.
Unfortunately, Zander knows me too well to be fooled. He tugs on my arm, ushering me far from prying ears. “What happened?”
Part of me wants to tell him, not about Nàdar, but that Leo used and manipulated me. I want Zander to rush off into the night to defend my honor. To punish Leo with his fists. BecauseIcan’t, no matter how angry and betrayed I feel.
“Tell me,” Zander insists. “What did he do?”
“Nothing. He just…he…you were right. He isn’t who I thought he was.”
“Itoldyou. But you didn’t listen to me, did you?”
Wait a minute, soI’mthe bad guy?
Zander takes me by the shoulders. “He’s the reason you broke up with me, isn’t he?”
“What? No!”
