Page 43

thirty-one

“It’s purple.”

“And black.”

“And purple.”

“But there’s also black,” I correct him, pointing to the long drapes that now frame the tall windows along the back wall of the studio. “I think it gives it a soft but gothic look.”

Does it go with his rustic orange and green industrial vibe? Probably not.

He spins slowly in the center of the apartment, taking in the changes.

I didn’t bring everything. Just a few items, like a fluffy purple throw pillow that now resides on the leather sofa.

My neon pink mini fridge that sits next to the bed.

All the clothes I could fit are stuffed into the one closet.

Silence fills the air until one of my eyebrows lowers. Maybe I need to remind him of what his mother said at the game. Finally, a smile settles on his lips, then he tosses an arm over my shoulders and kisses my temple.

“I like it. It looks like us.”

A satisfied grin paints my face, and his stomach rumbles. I latch my body onto his side and let my palm rub his taut abs. “You must be starving.”

He nods. “Do you want to head out to eat?”

It’s Friday night and I’m definitely not tired. Not after the workout we just had in the locker room. “Sure. Salty Oyster or a diner? Something else.”

One corner of his lips raises as he pulls out his phone. “Nah. Let’s go to Luminescence.”

With a gasp, my heart picks up pace. I hate to confess that the idea of heading there to make Sigma girls jealous is a lovely thought. “Can you even get in tonight? It’s late.”

“Yep. We own it.” He sends some texts while wandering toward his closet.

“Cardell Enterprises?”

“And soon the Freidenberg Foundation…”

“Ah. After our Culling, you mean.”

A surge of panic makes my forehead sweat. What if he’s using this as an excuse to propose marriage? He supposedly popped the question to Elina at the same restaurant. What if he’s planning to give me a ring tonight ? I don’t need one. We’re appointed . That’s an order that must be followed.

Still…a part of me deep inside that I don’t want to admit to a soul kind of dreams of him giving me one and having a pretty wedding with him in the future.

It makes me think about my childhood memories of playing with dolls in my room, hidden away from Adal and Oz.

One of my favorite things to do was arrange intricate weddings and proposals.

Will it be like that?

I feel weird. Like I’m putting on someone else’s life and acting it out. However, I’m also not that upset by the script I’ve been given. If Ryan officially proposes, I’ll definitely be happy. Right?

I mean, it’s not really my kind of scene. But maybe it’s his.

“The guys are coming. Invite your friends for nine o’clock. Anyone and everyone you want. I’m reserving the entire roof.”

He spins on a heel and calls someone to arrange the reservation while I scurry to grab my phone from my purse and text the group.

Me

Dinner on Luminescence’s rooftop tonight at 9?

Evie

WTF ARE YOU SERIOUS YAS

Who can I bring, babe?

Valencia

Do I have to dress up?

I’m not dressing up.

Amelia

Everyone look out. Diamond ring proposal coming up...

I glance up at him, and he flashes me a straight set of white teeth as he finishes up his call, then grabs a suit.

Shit. I should have been more prepared. There’s nothing in my closet that I would wear to something like this.

Even though I roll my eyes at Amelia’s text, my stomach does a little flip anyway.

It’s stupid to want that right now. But the stupid part of me already does.

Me

Yes, you can bring whomever

I don’t care if you dress up or not

I’m ignoring that proposal nonsense.

With a flick of my eyes up to my future Viscount, my heart flutters. That’s the guy I’m attached to. The one I’ll pledge vows to in the Cathedral. It’s an odd thing to consider.

Given everything we’ve done together so far…I think there’s no one better for me.

So I grab a short dress and tall boots from the closet and pair it with my leather jacket. As I fix my makeup and hair in the bathroom, I find myself saddened, thinking about Gwen not being there tonight. It’s something she would love, and if Ryan’s proposing, I would want her there.

The outfit isn’t as pristine as Elina’s would be, nor pink, but it’s Pippi. Black and leather with a bit of lace.

When I return to the bedroom, Ryan snaps his fingers and points toward the mattress.

“Never mind. Get over there. We’re fucking again and not leaving.”

I giggle, but take a few steps closer to him, then let my fingers crawl up his broad chest, covered in a black button-up shirt.

He smells like adventure and discovery with a hint of spicy danger.

When I rest my chin on him and look up, his eyes glaze over with heat. “You need food after that big game.”

One of his hands warms the small of my back as he pulls me into him, his thickening erection palpable in his gray trousers. “So let me eat.”

On my tiptoes, I peck the end of his nose and give him a smirk. “How about, if you be a good boy, I’ll let you hit it in the restaurant.”

“In front of everyone?” His look of hope almost makes me lose my resolve.

I can’t help but chuckle as I take a step back to grab my purse. “No.”

He crosses his arms. “Hmm, okay.”

As I reach the door, I open it wide and wait for him, then reconsider. “Well, only if no one else sees…”

With a broad grin, his face brightens as he sprints over to me and grabs my waist, walking us out into the hall. He leans in, his chin resting on my shoulder as he murmurs, “Then I’ll be the best boy for you.”

Luminescence is breathtaking. It’s a chilly autumn evening, but a clear tent adorns the roof patio.

Lighthouse heaters blaze warmth every few feet in between lounge areas and tables.

Tiny twinkle lights line the edge of the see-through canopy, but the stars poking through the clouds are the real decoration.

It’s packed with Thetas and Sigmas as well as the hockey team.

Some Omegas and Betas mull about, likely ones who came with Ryan’s sister, Olivia.

With a quick glance around, I spot Aiden perched on a bar stool, holding a conference with Logan and Landon while his crystal-blue eyes narrow at the crowd.

No, it looks as if he’s zoned in on one particular person, but I can’t see who.

If Ryan’s family and friends are here, does that mean he’s going to perform a big show? Wait until the middle of dinner, then call everyone’s attention over to us?

My skin itches just thinking about all those eyes on me.

“Do you know what you’d like to drink?” he asks, leading me over to a large center table with his hand pressed to my back.

“I think I want a Dark and Stormy.”

He nods and pulls out a chair for me. “No champagne? I’m thinking of getting a bottle for our table.”

The waitress hurries over and leans in. “Want Cristal tonight, Mr. Cardell?”

Aiden sets a double glass of rust-colored liquid on the table and slides into the vacant seat across from us. Logan and Landon soon join in the midst of a loud argument about something.

“No. We’ll do a Dom. Best you have. And a Dark and Stormy for my woman. Thanks, Karen.”

Despite him lacing our fingers together under the table, I feel on edge. Champagne? A big event? Dressed up? I’m not sure I can take it if he kneels in front of everyone. Where are my friends?

As if they heard me, Valencia and Amelia squeal and run to our table with a riot of comments about how elegant the restaurant is.

“So wonderful to see you, Logan,” Valencia immediately says as she takes a seat next to me.

Amelia strikes up a conversation with Landon that seems to be filled with more irritations than pleasantries.

Ryan leans forward, as if Aiden has communicated something, but he never opened his mouth.

“So?” Ryan asks.

Aiden sips his drink and murmurs his reply around the rim of the glass. “Not now.”

“Then when?”

With a shake of his head, Aiden glares at the crowd as a storm rages over his expression. “Not this year. Wait until after your graduation.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

Both boys look over at their sister, Olivia, whose arm is around the waist of the Beta president. I think Hunter is her boyfriend. The same man I saw eyeing Amelia at the Salty Oyster.

“I have other things going on and can’t deal with it now.”

Ryan huffs as he slams his back into his seat and glances over his shoulder at a crowd of Omegas . “ Things…” He nods at some of the sorority girls, including my cousin, Ashlyn. “Those things are going to be an issue.”

Aiden’s jaw clenches as his eyes drift over to my face. With one eyebrow arched, he tilts his head, like he knows a secret. His piercing gaze is so intense, I blink away bashfully.

Ryan snaps his fingers in his brother’s face to break his concentration. “I took care of my business.” Standing, he tosses the table napkin at his Aiden’s chest. “Order us everything off the menu. I’m hungry.”

He grabs my hand and pulls me into his side. I trip over my heel, but he catches me and escorts me toward the middle of the space that’s cleared from the groups of people.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“Away from him.” With a spin, he holds me in front of his chest. “And to dance.”

Now my pulse is pounding in my ears. We’re here, about to be the center of everyone’s attention. And all I can wonder is if he did this with Elina, but unwillingly. Were they standing in this spot?

Sways of his body lull me into less of a nervous wreck, but I maintain a clenching grip on his hand and shoulder as he moves into a slow waltz. “You don’t want to dance tonight?” he asks, eyebrows pinching slightly.

I can’t look anywhere but at his third button. If I meet his face, I’m sure he’ll read my frantic expression. He tucks a finger under my chin and lifts it so I have to do just that. And, unsurprisingly, he reads me easily.

“My Pen loves to dance. What’s going on?”

“What’s going on with you? What was that about with your brother?”