Usually, I'd be excited tomorrow is the weekend, but that means not having a reason to see Asher for two whole days. I suppose there's a small chance he'll be at the masquerade ball tomorrow night. Not that we'll be together, but I'll at least be able to see him. It reminds me I still need to cancel the arrangements with Lance. I tap his face on the screen of my phone.
He answers on the first ring. "Hey babe, how are you this morning?"
My eyes roll at his term of endearment. He is going to make this a difficult call I can already tell. "Hey, Lance. I know we haven't discussed this yet, and I'm sorry for the short notice, but I wanted to let you know Anderson will be driving me to the charity ball tomorrow night."
"Your butler? You're having the butler take you to the ball?" He questions, his tone rising with each word.
"He's not taking me; he's driving me there and dropping me off."
"No, Harlyn. You're not going to the ball alone. I know you think we're on some kind of break, but as I said, I'm not giving up that easy, and it's already arranged, my tuxedo, the seats at the table. You and I are still going…together."
He's partly right. If I show up to the ball alone, I might as well kiss my social status good-bye. Yeah, I'm a society kid, but it doesn't guarantee my future as a socialite. Showing up at a ball with no man on my arm will tell the powers that be I'm unwanted, and I'd have to work that much harder to build myself back up in their eyes.
"Fine, we can go together—as friends, nothing more. Got it?" I huff out.
"Pick you up at seven, Harlyn. Be ready." With that, he ends the call.
Our conversation leaves me feeling like I've just made a deal with the devil. Only time will tell if it was the right decision.
Chapter Eleven
Lance Freeman
Harlyn doesn't have any idea, but the charity ball is the perfect place for making an announcement I've wanted to make for some time. I realize it should've come sooner, and I know she's been on the fence about our relationship, but it's unlikely she'll say no in front of all her friends and her family.
A little birdy told me her parents would be returning from their trip early and attending the ball. I'd never have their blessing because I don't come from a Silvercrest founding family, and with being a detective, my values aren't in line with those of The Society, but I don't care what anyone else thinks.
Harlyn is mine. She has been even before I arrived back from that torturous boot camp. I'll admit I've made mistakes. Some I'll never recover from, but taking her hand will not be one of them.
I pull the ring from my pocket. It's not as large as I would've liked to grace Harlyn's finger with, but it was my mothers, and I expect she'll appreciate the sentimental value over what my salary could afford. I give it one last look before tucking it away in a box on top of my dresser.
Once I've stepped dressed and clipped my badge to my belt, I head out the door and climb into an unmarked car.
When the mayor approached me about an opportunity to become a detective after being out of the academy for only a few months, I jumped at the chance. Not understanding at the time what the consequences would be. Now that I know, it's too late to get out of it.
Unfortunately, at the center of this master plan is Harlyn and her Grandfather's will.
Chapter Twelve
Francis Harlyn Aldridge
Math class is a drag today. Well, math is a drag every day, but today is especially heinous. We have a substitute, and their idea of teaching is to write a bunch of problems on the board, and we supply the answers on paper. If he hadn't taken roll call, I would've never known he even knew how to speak.
I couldn't be more excited to hear the bell ring now than I have all day, especially since my next class is with Mr. Harrington.
I don't bother going to my locker between classes because I want to see Asher before anyone arrives.
My heart is pounding as I quicken my steps toward his door, practically diving in the middle of the hall when I slide to a stop. Taking in a deep breath, I turn the handle and step inside, but what I see causes me to choke on that same breath.
Asher and Catarina are the only ones in class, and he's leaning over her desk like he's done to me on so many occasions. They're so interested in whatever it is she's saying they don't even notice me walk in.
I've never experienced jealousy at this level before, and I hate it. If it were anyone else in class, I know it wouldn't be a problem, but Catarina. She made a point to mention what she called my crush on Asher. So she knows yet she's still pulling him in like the slut that she is.
Well, two can play at that game. I drop my books on to my desk, and they make a loud thud. It does the trick drawing their attention to me. "Sorry," I say, narrowing my stare on the woman taking all the focus of my man.
What I don't expect is the angry expression I get in response from him. "It's ok Catarina, we can go through this after class. I have another student I'm working with, but I can make some adjustments to that schedule." He says.
At that moment, my heart stops. Not only did he diss me with that face, but he also told her he's working with another student. I mean, how long will it be before she makes the connection it's me?
Did our
