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Hearing the impatience in Bear’s voice, Alex moved away from the mirror and dropped her ComTCD into the purse Dorothy had loaned her for the night. “You told me I had ten minutes,” she said as she opened the door.

“And three have passed,” Bear said. “Which only leaves us seven to get you downstairs in those heels.”

Alex took in Bear’s worried expression. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” Bear answered. “But I don’t know if Jordan is.”

“Why? Where is he?”

“His parents called an hour ago and said they wanted to see him before the Gala. He told me he’d meet us there.”

Alex frowned. “I thought he didn’t get along with his parents?”

“He doesn’t,” Bear said, leading the way downstairs. “I don’t think they’ve ever hurt him or anything like that, but they’re pretty negligent as far as affection goes. They’re just too caught up with themselves to invest any time in him.”

“Then why did he go to them?”

“They’re still his parents,” Bear said. “He won’t admit it, but he would give practically anything for their attention, I think.”

“Poor Jordan,” Alex said, feeling sad for her friend.

“Don’t,” Bear warned. “The last thing he’d ever want is pity. He’s got us, at least. And he’ll need us tonight.”

“So what are we still waiting here for?” Alex asked cheekily. “I’ve been ready for hours!”

“Yeah, right,” Bear said, rolling his eyes. “But you look hot, so those hours must have been good for something.”

Alex sent him a look that said more than any words could. “There’s a reason you don’t have a girlfriend,Barnold, if that’s how you give a compliment.”

He laughed at her expression, before bowing cordially. “I apologise, my lady. You lookbeautiful.”

“That’s more like it.” Alex chose to ignore his over exaggerated dramatics. “You clean up all right yourself.”

It was true. He was wearing a tux—something she never would have imagined him to own, let alone wear. But he looked rather dashing in it, not that Alex was surprised.

“Oh, don’t you both look wonderful!” Dorothy cooed when she caught sight of them in the hallway. “My little boy’s all grown up.”

Alex had to cough into her hand to hide her laugh.

Bear tugged awkwardly at his collar, blushing slightly. “Mum. Please.”

“I’m sorry, darling. You just look so handsome! So much like your father.” Dorothy brushed some invisible lint off his jacket.

“And that’s our cue to leave,” Bear said, handing Alex her coat and pulling her towards the front door.

“Have a fun night!” Dorothy called after their retreating backs. “We’ll probably be asleep when you get home but we’ll see you in the morning!”

Bear just waved without turning and continued to drag Alex out the door.

“Are we using a Bubbledoor?” she asked when they were outside.

“Yeah, but we have to go separately for security reasons,” he said. “The hosts are always paranoid about party crashers.”

He handed over a bulky envelope and motioned for her to open it. Inside were two small Bubbler vials, along with a beautifully scripted invitation.

On behalf of His Royal Highness:

Alexandra Jennings