hallow and uneven, like my chest couldn't decide if it wanted to collapse or explode. I didn't even know what I was
ything like melted gold. My dress brushed against my legs as I moved, whispering, mocking my
murmured conversations, the soft clatter of cutlery. My cousins were already seated, faces eager a
th
i
collided
un Ha
shoulders beneath the black shirt he wore, the sleeves rolled a little up his forearms like he couldn't bother with full elega
at could pierce throug
ediately, heat ru
am I reactin
tating, weirdly comforting cousin. But even with Jeremy's constant
y meant o
mbered
ly here, Mr. Halston," Mom said,
." His eyes swept calmly across the room like he
ir that somehow made him look more powerful. His wife, beside him, was beautifully poise
soft hum of th
-no, snapped, toward
as desc
ect. She always did, like the world si
ood up instantly, walking to Betty as though she were a bride al
tewart," he said with a deep, approving tone.
oks gorgeous, Mrs. Stewart. You've don
htly and look
t look i
been forced to come here. He didn't look l
ropped my gaze,
e instantly, h
hand or something," Mrs. Hals
ly–annoyed? bore
ittle. I could tell she was nervous, though she t
er hand gently
ed inside me-ti
't be je
o right
awkward quietness. Even Jeremy stopped talking for a second, which was shock
pany downtown," Dad said, trying to warm up the a
Halston responded quickl
y began, her gaze landing directly on me. "
esturing to me. "This is Madeline, my daughter. She's a
t s
't have, b
ence boiled down to
rson-just a future
and forced a small smile at the Halstons.
ours, beauty," Mr.
ed ever so slightly, like som
s Calhoun's wife-to-be..." she began, befo
new she did
didn't lik
alone ir
he air. "I believe we'll be starting the prepara
, Betty spoke. "I'
lready, I thought-ouch!" Jeremy gasp
tly. "Well, you can't bla
ed at C
, like this entire dinner
d a single un
re, but no
weddings, arrangements, dates.
ing my shoulder gently. "You've b
new more about me than almost anyone-except th
oftly. "This is Beth
accepting m
during that time, so
t words I heard fro
did-a sharp vibration through my
ed. "Then I guess we'll have to resc
as soon as possible. I mean, if we have to
look before facing the Halstons
t inv
at this table
uldn't eve
e those grey eyes were still holding me down-not
l be back, I just need
ed absen
bathroom door behind me,
sigh and leaned
s a flushed pink. My che
what his gaze
did it on
imagining
er on my face, tryi
is Beth'
p out of what
rl who ruins her
rknob t
rply and alm
lh
like he belonged in that
ing even more ha
r falling slightly
culpt
dragged every bre
hose
made my body forg
n't be in here," I stammered, my voic
of his mo
so you did r
wly, casually, hands
in front of me, o
't even bothe

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