Chapter 6

Nora rolls up a sleeve and starts telling stories about being queen of Bridgeport Central High. Trust-fund kids with pearl earrings hang on every word.

Tessa gets edged out to the wall. Nobody notices her.

She takes a breath, bites her lip and squeezes out a couple perfect tears.

"I'm sorry, Nora. Your mom's mad I put on your dress. If you're upset too, I'll leave right now."

Nora spots her and cuts through the crowd.

"Aw, Tess, don't cry. C'mon, we're solid. You like the dress? Keep it. Honestly looks better on you."

Tessa dabs at eyes that were never wet. She does a little spin in the middle of the circle.

"Really? It looks okay?"

A polite ripple of *aww*s. Her lips start to curve up.

Then someone says, "You must be one of her little crew from back home, huh?"

"Right? A $50K dress just handed over. You must mean a lot to her."

Tessa's smile freezes. Something poisonous flashes behind her eyes.

I can tell she isn’t happy with their choice of words.

One of Nora’s crew.

Not her friend. Not her family. Just someone who followed Nora around.

---

Morning after the gala, the Ashfords come knocking.

The Sinclairs and the Ashfords have been in each other's business for three generations. If Nora had never been taken, Bryce Ashford would already be her fiancé.

That's exactly what his parents are here to discuss.

I noticed Bryce watching Nora all night. He barely spoke, just sat there listening to her stories with a little half-smile.

I pour tea. "I understand why you're all here. But this has to be Nora's call."

"She's out right now. When she gets back, let her and Bryce spend some time together. This is the twenty-first century. Nobody's arranging anything."

Mr. Ashford nods. "Of course, of course. Let the kids figure it out."

*【HERE WE GO. The precious one is JEALOUS. Someone's about to get wrecked.】*

*【That trash Bryce got her number last night and now he's here trying to marry the throwaway. UGH.】*

*【Y'all don't get it. Bryce wants the Sinclair money. But his HEART belongs to the precious one.】*

The comments float across my vision. My eyes slide toward the hallway.

Right on cue—Tessa steps out from around the corner.

"Everyone. I need to say something. I have to."

Every head turns.

She looks at me, all trembling lip. "Mrs. Sinclair, I know you might hate me for this. But it wouldn't be fair to Bryce if I stayed quiet."

She takes a shaky breath. “Nora already had a boyfriend back home, and they’d been together for a long time.”