Empire High Betrayal (Empire High #3) - Ivy Smoak Page 0,88
honest. But tonight? I only had eyes for Matt. I didn’t just have a boyfriend now. I had a fiancé. I was going to marry the boy pretending to rain water on my head in the middle of the dance floor. And I’d never smiled so much in my life.
A slow song switched on and he pulled me in close.
“Brooklyn, you’re the most beautiful girl in the room.”
I was tempted to look to see where Isabella went.
It was as if he could tell because he put his hand on the side of my face. “Always.”
I smiled up at him. And I realized I almost forgot to tell him the good news. “Justin agreed to help us with our wedding.”
Matt smiled. “That’s great. I know you really wanted his help.”
I literally couldn’t do this without Justin. I had no idea what needed to be done. And Justin knew everything. “I’m going dress shopping in a few days.”
“Can I come?”
I laughed. “No you can’t come dress shopping with me. It’s bad luck.”
“I think the two of us have had enough bad luck. Just smooth sailing from here.”
“You think so?”
“I know so. Hey look.” He nodded his head toward his left.
I followed his gaze. Kennedy and Felix were slow dancing together. Finally! “They’d make a cute couple, wouldn’t they?” I asked.
“And it would mean Felix would stop flirting with you.”
“He’s already stopped. We’re just friends. I only have eyes for a certain someone who isn’t wearing any pants in public.”
Matt laughed. “Speaking of pants…are you hungry? I’m starving.”
What kind of segue was that? He’d had me laughing so much all night that my cheeks actually hurt. “I’m starving.” I had completely forgotten about eating tonight. “Let’s go track down a zombie.” I grabbed his hand and pulled him over toward one of the waiters.
Matt had no sooner lifted up one of the hors d’oeuvres when Kennedy came over and grabbed it out of his hand.
“Thanks, I’m so hungry,” she said and stuffed the whole thing in her face.
“What is it with you and always stealing my food?” Matt said. “There’s trays of them going around everywhere. Get your own, woman.”
“But it’s so much easier to take yours,” Kennedy said.
They both laughed.
I remembered when Kennedy had insisted that Felix, me, and her were the three amigas. That hadn’t exactly worked out. But Matt, me and her? Yeah, we kind of were. I was glad that they got along so well. Because I wasn’t sure what I would do without either of them. Together they had somehow pieced my broken heart back together.
Someone tapped on the microphone and we looked up at the cauldron stage.
Mrs. Caldwell was standing up there in her towel with even more fake blood dripping down her shoulders than before. “We hope everyone’s having a great night!”
Adults and kids alike cheered.
“The votes are in, and it’s time to announce the winners of our costume contest!” She lifted up two gold envelopes.
I looked up at Matt. “I didn’t see anywhere to vote.”
“Because we were dancing. There was a voting box over by the pumpkins.”
Shit. What if Isabella had won by just a few votes?
“And the first winner is…”
My heart felt like it was beating in my throat.
Mrs. Caldwell tore open the envelope. “…Robert Hunter as Rocky!”
I could hear Rob laughing from somewhere.
“Seriously?” Matt said. “He’s just half naked.”
I laughed as I looked at Matt’s pants-less legs. “You’re one to talk.”
He smiled down at me.
“But seriously…you definitely should have won. You even put on a performance.”
“Right?” Matt spun in a circle.
I shook my head at him. I did believe he should have won. But I was secretly glad he hadn’t. Because the odds of Isabella winning over me were very high. And James had told me Isabella had rigged the homecoming voting. I wouldn’t have put it past her to do again. But now if Wizzy won, she’d have to dance with Rob. Which would be hilarious because they hated each other.
I held my breath as Mrs. Caldwell opened the second envelope.
“And the second winner is Kennedy Alcaraz as Princess Jasmine!”
“Oh my God, really?” Kennedy said as she grabbed my arm.
I laughed. Kennedy looked amazing. And she deserved to win. But I kind of thought that maybe it was Mrs. Caldwell that had rigged the voting this time. To get Rob and Kennedy together. Mrs. Caldwell was diabolically wonderful. Or maybe Kennedy and Rob had actually won and it was fate.
I looked up at Matt. I was becoming quite the believer in fate.