The Rivals - Dylan Allen Page 0,185

shoes are ridiculous.” I wiggle my toes. In these strappy sandal deathtraps, there was nothing to protect my toes from being trod on a few times as we walked through the crowd of dancers.

“Thank God those shoes are pretty enough to be worth the pain.”

“They are, aren’t they?” I preen and lift the skirt of the pale yellow ball gown before I drop into a curtsey. “I do feel like a princess,” I admit

“You look like one.”

“Thank you so much for this. It’s nice to mingle and feel like part of the community.”

“I’m just glad we could have tonight.” She squeezes my hand.

“Hello, ladies,” a deep voice rumbles behind us and we spin around at the same time and both smile when we see David Lister smiling down at us.

“Hello, Lister.” My mother leans in to press a kiss to his weathered cheek. Her voice is stiff. and she wraps an arm through mine and pulls me close to her.

“You’re the prettiest ladies here. I hope you’re enjoying yourselves.” His gray, bushy eyebrows draw together in his trademark scowl, which is in fact, his smile.

He’s been so nice to us. He’s the only person in Rivers Wilde who really has been.

Given their acrimonious past, it’s ironic that we own the bookstore that had been his wife’s. She would never tell me what the spat was about. Whatever it was, they’ve both clearly gotten over it. He comes by the bookstore some afternoons and strolls the aisles and tells me stories about the time his wife spent there.

Business has picked up thanks to our themed nights and promotional events. We’re having our first author signing there in a couple of weeks and we started a used section where we buy back and then resell books that have been lovingly used by previous owners.

“I’ve got to mingle, but I’ll see you both later.” He gives her hand a squeeze and pats my shoulder as he moves on. I want to grab his hand and ask him to stay. There’s something about his presence by our side that’s comforting. I watch him walk away and try to calm my nerves. Everything is fine.

“Oh, this is so nice, look at all the people.” She points at the dance floor where Sweet, very heavily pregnant, and her husband, Lotanna, are cutting a rug and laughing out loud the whole time.

She’s a bit of a hard-ass—but who runs a successful business without being that? I happen to know that at the center, is also plenty of soft. And she’s let that soft be my cushion more times than I can count.

Rivers Wilde is a special place. I look around at the sea of happy friendly faces and think that maybe, after I’m done seeing the world, that this could be home.

“Ah, Morgan, Kalilah, welcome. We’re so glad you could come,” a voice dripping with false warmth says from in front of us.

“Tina, hello,” my mother croons, drops her hold on me and grabs Mrs. Wilde’s hand. “Thank you so much for asking us.” She pumps their joined hands excitedly and Mrs. Wilde pulls hers out of the embrace and smiles coldly. I feel that cold down to my bones. I step away from them.

“I hope you’re enjoying yourselves.”

“Oh, we are. The flower walls are amazing,” my mother gushes and I squirm.

“Kalilah, you look lovely,” she says, her eyes flit over my dress and she gives me a stiff smile.

“I wonder if you wouldn’t mind excusing your mother and me for a few minutes. I just have a few things to discuss with her,” she says as if she doesn’t really give a shit whether I mind or not.

My mother’s grin falters, and she looks like she’s not sure if she should be excited or scared. “You want to talk? To me? Tonight?” she stammers.

“Only for a moment. Kalilah, the young people are in the smaller ballroom. We’ve set up a small casino for you all and the band in there’s playing music that’s a little more contemporary.”

“I’ll send Morgan to find you when we’re done.”

I don’t like the look in her eyes, and suddenly, I’m thinking I’d just like to go home.

“Kal, go on. Us ladies are just gonna have a quick gab and then I’ll be back.”

“Okay,” I say and watch as Mrs. Wilde links arms with my mom and leads her out of the room into the large foyer of the house.

Chapter 13

MIDNIGHT

KAL

* * *

“Kalilah, you’re still here?” Fifteen minutes after she and my