of telling them all that Samuel had just sent me the car key to his Mustang, his pride and joy, the love of his life, as a birthday present?
NO. I chose not to ruin my birthday and instead decided to played dumb. It was my birthday and I was making the decision to not tell the truth for one day. I would tell Clint what it really meant tomorrow.
I popped the key back inside the card and closed it up. “Guys, I have absolutely no idea what this key is used for. So let’s forget about it, and talk about the truth or dare party tonight.”
Chapter 16
Truth or Dare
~ ~ ~
Kyser Harkin’s penthouse was on the top floor in a building on Fifth Avenue, on the upper east side. Every year he threw a lavish party he titled ‘Truth or Dare’. The idea sounded childish, but was, in fact, a dark and glamorous party exclusive for Lappell members and approved guests as a fun meet and greet. All guests were presented with a platter some time during the evening with two cards, one with the word ‘Truth’ and the other that said ‘Dare’. You could only choose one card and your choice was where the fun began.
This year, Kyser’s party happened to fall on my birthday, and given Clint’s and Josh’s mandatory attendance, we all decided to go to the party as a group, with myself and Tess being approved as guests.
“Wait, how do they know truths for each and every person here?” Tess asked me as all four of us stood in the elevator heading to the top floor, to the penthouse. Clint, Josh and myself all stared at Tess like she was an idiot. When she saw our looks, a light bulb went off in her head. “Wait. I should already know the answer to that. But of course. It’s the Lappell”
The Lappell would certainly have a truth for all of us. The idea made me nervous but I had promised Clint I would choose that card, so hopefully it wouldn’t lead to anything bad.
“Did I tell you how sexy you look tonight?” Clint leaned down to whisper into my ear. I adjusted my blood-red beaded Elie Saab gown which had a deep plunging neckline. My hair was up in an elegant twisted bun and I had a blood-red lipstick on that matched my dress.
“Only about a million times,” I whispered back.
Clint squeezed my hand. Josh’s eyes darted across to mine as I stood between him and Clint in the elevator. Tess stood behind the three of us adjusting her emerald green strapless gown.
When the doors opened we walked straight into a foyer which led to an open room, with high ceilings, filled with candlelight and soft music. You could easily see the lights of the city as there was a view from all corners of the room. There were suits mixed with glamorous gowns everywhere. Beading, diamantes, chiffon and silk floating in between well-groomed gentlemen. There was also a large number of waiters carrying platters to people with cards on them. The waiters must have been assigned to certain people because they carried those trays with purpose as they sought out their next assigned guest.
We all took in the sight, our heads moving around to get our bearings. Our amazement was quickly interrupted by a waiter carrying a tray of champagne filled flutes.
“Champagne?” he asked. We all took a glass and started to make our way into the party. We picked a spot next to a window and all stood, gazing out at the city lights that twinkled like lights on a Christmas tree. I began thinking of the Literary Ball back in Morewell, and how Clint’s gardens were lit up that evening. This had the same jaw-dropping effect.
“A toast,” Josh said breaking the silence, “to Norah on her birthday. May your night be as magical as this view. Cheers!” We all turned and clinked our glasses, all saying in unison, “Cheers!” and we all took a sip, smiling as we did.
“Tess Nicholls,” a waiter said, coming up behind us as we brought our glasses back down from our mouths.
She turned around, looking shocked by the waiter saying her name. “That’s me,” she said to the waiter, holding the platter with the two cards.
“You must choose one.”
It was all he said. He just stood and waited for Tess to pick a card. She looked at all of us for assistance. I just shrugged my shoulders as I