It was surreal to hear her say it, but I was glad she had told me how she felt. I was miserable without her in my bed. Waking up next to her was rapidly becoming a life goal for me.
I’d fallen hard.
I couldn’t change it. I was hers. If people didn’t like it,I didn’t care one bit. But I did want her to succeed, and I didn’t want to hold her back at all; the last thing I wanted to do was cause her drama before her exams.
So, a secret we would be.
For now.
Chapter Twenty
JAIN
“You can’t even tell. You look beautiful,” Sarah murmured as we walked in, her hand gripping Kate’s tightly.
“Everyone is staring at me like I’m the high school dropout,” Kate began, her voice cracking as I stopped, turning her around to face me.
Her eyes were beautifully made up with subtle glitter, just visible through the navy and gold mask.
“Kate, who gives a shit? You’re doing this foryou. You will take your exams because you will workhardfor yourself andyourbaby. You’ve got us, your family...but most of all tonight, no one can see who you are through your mask. So, relax.”
Kate sighed, her hands protectively covering her stomach.
“Well, I better get a juice, rock and roll. This will probably be the first party I’ve ever been sober at,” Kate mused as I chuckled.
She looked beautiful, and I was sad that she didn’t feel it. Her dress was incredibly flattering to her ever-growingbump, layers of silk gathering at her waist disguising her pregnancy.
I opted for a stunning soft grey dress with a saucy thigh split, revealing my freshly tanned legs—God bless, fake tan. I loved the fact that the dress was high-necked and long-sleeved. My mask was a large cream and grey sequin job- with elaborate feathers that Sarah had cleverly wound into my hair, gathered in a soft bun at the nape of my neck. My eyes were ringed with heavy black glitter shadow, making them stand out despite the mask.
As I gazed around the room, I was amazed to see how many seniors had gone all out. I couldn’t tell who anyone was, and this made it all the more exciting. My breath hitched in my throat when I saw a man watching me as he sipped his drink. He was wearing a simple shirt and waistcoat combination, but it was the silvery black mask that caught my attention. It reminded me a little of the phantom of the opera, but the way the lips curled up beneath it told me that this guy was familiar to me.
“I’m going to pretend we didn’t argue earlier. Would you like to dance?” The voice beside me surprised me, and despite the mask, I knew it was Harley.
He held out his hand, and his eyes shone with such hope I couldn’t say no. I cautiously smiled as he swept me onto the dance floor, leaving Kate and Sarah smiling at each other stupidly.
Some things never change.
He drew me close to him, my hands around his neck as we slowly danced, his hands sitting respectfully at my waist.
“Is there really someone else?”
His whisper made me itch my neck as I shrugged apologetically.
“Yes, but it’s early days, so I’d rather not talk about it.”
Harley’s hold stiffened, and my eyes travelled aroundthe dimly lit room. It would’ve been romantic if it weren’t for the fact I was dancing with Harley.
“Right. Is he here tonight?” Harley asked gruffly, his tone revealing the raw annoyance in his voice.
A female voice interrupted us, and I turned to see a girl glaring at me from behind the mask as she smiled at Harley. He raised his eyebrows in question as she held out her hand, offering him a dance wordlessly. He looked back at me, and I stepped backwards, reassuring him that I was okay.
I was more than okay; I was grateful.
I weaved my way through the dance floor, taking care not to step on toes or fall into anyone. I spotted Kate and Sarah, and I made a beeline for them.
“Ms Martin.” I heard a voice murmur from beside me, my heart soaring when I realised who it was.
“Mr Silver,” I breathed, my body trying to press against him instantly.
