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"Oh, please" Before I can tell him what I want, he walks aithout another word, his broad-shouldered body cutting a swath through the crowd, and they all part for him obediently He’s a head taller than the majority of the people in the room, so it’s not difficult to keep tabs on him as he strides toward the bar across the way

He doesn’t smile at a soul, doesn’t stop to make pleasant conversation with anyone, either

I’ically appears atin the slits inpeek-a-boo whenever I move "Did you draw him in with the dress or what?"

"Not everyone is as scandalized with the dress as you are," Imy mood Violet and I are usually on the sa, but the moment I made my appearance at Daddy’s suite before we all went to the preether, I knew she wasn’t happy with my choice of attire

And that hurt, despite my brave face and carefree attitude I blame it on the fact that she’s always had a motherly, almost protective attitude toward me Daddy didn’t like the dress, either, but that’s no surprise Ryder gave rin on his face before we left the suite, and I appreciated that Clung to his approval like so I needed any show of support to get through tonight

You did this to yourself The only one you have to blay little voice inside my head needs to shut up

"Can I be honest with you?" Violet turns to faceto want to hear what she has to say

I barely withhold the sigh that wants to escape when I answer, "Go for it"

"You’re re both cute and disgusted That’s the ulti I reht in the heart "The flashy outfit, the necklace Did you know Grandht?"

Ah, is that what this is about? That Grandma letsuch a dress The press had shouted atet so bold Hardly any of them asked about the necklace

I wonder if that ht it to me about a half hour before we all met I had no idea she had it with her"

"She o But I figured she would want Lily to wear it Since she’s not here …" Violet’s voice trails off

"You’re right, she did want Lily to wear it She also said I reers across the stones, est one set in the center "So she let ht Said you didn’t need to because you already have your big diaer"

Violet iht just right andit sparkle A little sht"

"I know," I say dryly,in line at the bar His shoulders are terribly broad and he’s so tall His hair is longish in the back, in dire need of a triht passes throughat his nape absently before he turns, his gazemine all the way across the room