It’s the one event my mother insists I use the limo for. Even though they won’t be in attendance, local press will be swarming the red carpet entry, and she wants the Paladinos to be “presented properly”.
I just wish I wasn’t arriving alone.
Pulling the small mirror from my clutch, I open it and check my lipstick, ensuring that it hasn’t smudged. We’re about five minutes away from the venue, and I know once I check my bag, I won’t have it for the rest of the evening.
Just as I close the compact, my phone rings, and acandid shot of Raina and me in Central Park overtakes the screen.
“Hello?” I answer, clicking the speakerphone button.
“Hey. I’m about fifteen minutes out. How far are you?”
“Less than five,” I groan. “Remind me again why we couldn’t just go together?”
“Hi, Vincenza,” Raina’s mother’s voice floats through the phone while her father’s gruff chuckle echoes behind it.
“Ah, that’s right. Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster. Looking forward to seeing you shortly.”
Raina laughs. “I’ll be there soon, okay? Just grab a glass of champagne and relax. Tonight will be fun.”
I’m not so sure about that. Being at the same event as Sly and not being able to talk to him, after not seeing him for a week, is going to kill me. But hedidpromise he’d find a way for us to escape together, so for now I’ll hold on to that hope.
“See you guys soon,” I say, before ending the call.
Moments later, the car comes to a stop, and from my tinted window I see the paparazzi lined up, cameras aimed and ready to catch whatever they can. The lights from the entry of the building are bright and inviting, and the red carpet they’ve rolled out looks plush.
The quiet hum of the partition rolling down catches my attention. Looking over, I see Ross looking at me through the reflection of the rearview mirror. “Are you ready, MissPaladino?”
I turn back to the spectacle outside of my door, looking for a familiar face in the crowd. I’m not sure why I expectedhimto be there, but I wish he was, and I can't help but to deflate a little when I don’t find his warm, hazel eyes in the sea of people.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Very well. I’ll come around.”
Taking a few steadying breaths, I gently pull my dress up to expose my feet, making it easier to step from the limo. The gown I chose fits me like a glove and makes me feel like a billion dollars. Just as I envisioned, my hair’s styled down in waves, and I kept my makeup subtle, not wanting to take away from the beauty of the dress.
As soon as my door opens, camera flashes assault my eyes, and from all around, I hear the media yelling my name.
“Vinnie!”
“Miss Paladino!”
Placing my hand in Ross’, he helps pull me from the car as I plaster on a smile.
I hate this part—it feels so fake.
Between my family's fortune and my thriving business, the press wants to know all about my life. I’d been coinedThe Paladino Princessby them my entire life, and it’s exhausting.
Desperate to get this red carpet walk over with as quickly as possible, I take a step forward, only to be stopped in my tracks by a man stepping through the reporters.
A collective round of gasps slices through the air, and a large palm grips onto my waist before sliding to my lower back.
Before I realize what’s happening, I’m being dipped backward as the cameras catch every second of it. Above me, August’s smug grin is all I can see.
“Smile for the cameras, darling. You don’t want to look miserable as they capture this moment.”
“August,” I sneer through gritted teeth. “What thehelldo you think you’re doing?”
He swings me upward to stand again, grinning for the cameras as he settles his hand on my lower back and guides me down the path toward the entrance.
