what we do. I just wish I knew what to do now.”
“The only thing we can do is prove something awful happened to them,” said Maverick. “The first step is getting into that file on Aiden’s computer. We’ll find Teagan and Sawyer, Val.”
“If it’s not too late,” I whispered.
I finished getting ready and the two of us met Ezra, Jaxson, Ryder, Gwen, and her boyfriend Max downstairs.
Gwen was bouncing in her floor-length teal gown. “I can’t believe we’re going to a party at the Evergreen Country Club. Where are you taking me next week, Jaxson?”
He blew out a breath. “When do I trade my groveling for your forgiveness? Lunch has been on me every day for weeks.”
“You accused me of being a violent, obsessed attempted killer because how could I not be in love with you?” She rolled her eyes, snuggling into Max. “You’re going to be buying me paninis for a long time.”
Jaxson mumbled something I couldn’t hear but earned him a laugh and playful whack on the arm from Gwen.
Not only their friendship recovered from Bianca. Daniel Meyer was also on the mend. Banged up in the car crash, he took time off to rest with his family, but if the rumors were true, he planned to attend the charity dinner and snag that two-week tropical vacation.
We headed out to the cars, driving the short trip to the country club. The place was packed. The parking lot was fit to burst, and couples and coeds dressed in their finest streamed inside the club.
We drove up to the valet. Maverick got out and opened my door, holding his arm out to me.
“Ready?”
“I’m ready.”
I climbed out and we melded into our group, passing through the frosted double doors and stepping on the red velvet carpet winding through the lobby for the ballroom. The carpet was Aiden’s idea. Seeing it in action, I kind of liked it.
“Any prize in particular you want, Val?” Maverick asked. “We could snag that tropical vacation for ourselves.”
“If this was one of those win-a-man auctions, I’d put a couple million on you.” I covertly pinched his backside.
Maverick laughed. “I go for a lot more than that. Good thing you get all of this for free.”
“Lucky me.” I rose on tiptoe, claiming a kiss.
“Valentina? Oh, Valentina. There you are.”
We broke apart. Jade scurried out of the ballroom, resplendent in a slinky black gown, and held her hands out for me.
“Is something wrong?” I asked as she took them. There must be. Jade’s barely spoken to me in weeks.
“Yes, there is and it’s me. I was wrong for how I reacted to your idea to invite all the past brothers and sisters.”
I pulled a face. What did she just say?
“I’m sorry. What?”
“Tonight is about the Zeta Rho and Nu Alpha family coming together to do good for our community,” she said. “And our family doesn’t stop at those who graduated with us.”
Jade tucked my hand under her arm and drew me inside. The ballroom was even more magnificent than I pictured. A wonderland of gold and white, draped in elegance for the mingling alumni to enjoy. I spotted Sofia among one such group, but Jade tugged me on before I could think to go to her.
“Once I realized I was being silly,” Jade continued, “I took up your task.”
“My task?”
Jade stopped behind a group of people and tapped a shoulder covered in blue ruffles. “Say hello to our new president.”
The woman turned. My breath caught, held by the fist that punched my gut. Eyes gaping, I looked at her, connecting the person before me with the one I met over a year ago and coming up with one name.
Teagan Kainer.
“Teagan?”
“Hi,” she said cheerily. “It’s great to see you again. I can’t believe the hopeful I talked to all those months ago is now the president who organized this. Isn’t it amazing, babe?”
The guy next to her faced me, sliding his arm around her shoulder. Sawyer Burn smiled even wider than Teagan. “Incredible. Hey, is Ezra around?” he asked. “We’ve gotta catch up.”
I couldn’t answer. Couldn’t think. Couldn’t comprehend what I was seeing in front of me.
“I’m so happy they accepted the invite,” Jade said. There was a blatant note of triumph lacing her voice. What she had won, I had no idea.
She gripped my hand tighter.
“Once a sister, always a sister.”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ruby Vincent is a published author with many novels under her belt but now she's taking a fun foray into contemporary romance. She loves saucy heroines, bold alpha males, and weaving a tale where both get their happy ever after.