They hurried off the stage for the kitchen. Today was not a good day for the staff. In Carter’s case, he wasn’t being a jackass just because he could. My mom would be twice as pissed if Nathan didn’t sober up. Some food in his stomach would soak up the alcohol.
“It’s a buffet, gentlemen.” I swore Nathan licked his lips. “All this ripe, sweet fruit waiting to be picked and they’re sending them to Citrine Cove with us. What are their fathers thinking?”
“They’re thinking they’ll ruin you with child support if you don’t get your head out of your ass or keep your dick in your pants.” I scanned the room looking for sweet, ripe fruit but found merely distractions from my goal of six years. To become Delilah’s husband and seal our fate as American royalty. “Who are...?”
I trailed off.
The crowd parted, revealing the vision in blue. Light glittered in the diamonds weaved through her hair, drawing every eye that could stand to leave her face into marveling her golden crown. She passed through the mingling guests, headed straight for the door I tried to escape through earlier.
I didn’t realize I was on my feet until Nathan smacked my leg. “Yo. What’s up?”
“I’ll be right back.”
I bounded off the dais, bumping and apologizing to several people on the way. Stepping onto the terrace, I found her where I oddly expected her to be. Resting on the stone bench and looking out over the gardens.
“Cinderella.”
She twisted, frown gracing her lips, and locked eyes on me. I watched the emotions cycle from blank to confusion to impatience and finally—
“You!”
“Me,” I said with a grin. “Good to see I make an impression.”
But nothing like the impression you make.
I took in every inch of her, committing her to a memory that would last me another two years. She was exactly like I remembered her. That day in the modern art museum, passing the time while Delilah shopped next door, I saw a girl staring at the painting of one of my favorite artists and thought I’d impress her with my knowledge.
Then she spoke.
Unleashed a tirade of raw, unfiltered honesty the likes of which I’d never received from anyone in my entire life. But that isn’t what struck me about the blonde-haired, green-eyed girl in the purple dress without a back. No, it was that even though her ranting ruby lips said one thing, her eyes said another. Deep, soul-drowning sorrow reflected in her green pools—stronger with each verbal arrow she flung.
I reached for her unthinkingly, ready to wipe the tears that would surely fall.
Since that day, I’d find myself thinking about her at the oddest times. I’d see a bird fly overhead and wonder why she needed a miracle. I’d be making meaningless small talk with another meaningless person and think Cinderella wouldn’t endure this shit. She’d tell them exactly what she thought.
But what I wondered most days was what her name was and why she looked at me like if I didn’t leave quickly, she’d shatter into pieces.
So walk away I did. But still, I secretly harbored the hope that she’d do it.
Find me.
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
She doesn’t seem all that thrilled about it, though.
“I live here.” I closed the distance between us, not in the least bit deterred by the hostility radiating off her in droves. “I don’t have to ask why you’re here. After all of this time, you freed yourself from the garden and found me, Cinderella.”
“The name is Belle.”
“Belle.” I tried it on my tongue, rolled it around, and decided I liked it. “Beautiful name. I’m Preston.”
“Well, Preston, I didn’t come here for you,” she said. “I had no clue you were a Desai.”
“Technically, I’m a Du Pont-Desai,” I corrected. “Either way, would you have been nicer to me if you’d known?”
“Unlikely.”
I laughed. “Good. Can’t stand those fools bowing and scraping after me like they’re hoping hundreds will fall out of my pockets.”
“Do you want something? I came out here for peace and quiet.”
“Yes.” I moved even closer. “I want to know if you got your miracle.”
She looked away. “Why would you assume I was speaking about myself?”
“That particular mix of anger, frustration, and despair is personal. You didn’t need me to be your knight, so I’ve been wondering all this time if you saved yourself. Did you?”
“I’m here,” Belle said softly. “So no.”
“You are here.” I glanced at the party inside, suddenly reminded of why all of us were here.