I let an easy smile spread across my face.

“Oh? Haute Noire?” Piper asked as Violet came up to us, eyeing her outfit meaningfully.

“That’s me!” she said with another big smile. Her happiness was infectious. Even with everything stacked against me, I still felt a smile pull at my lips. “Let me know if you ever want anything. Employee discount and all.”

“I want something from you next time.” I nudged Piper. “She’s a designer.”

Violet gave me a look. “I dabble; don’t listen to her.”

“Something tells me you’re being modest,” Piper said, eyeing the girl. “Sign me up for your next piece.”

I grabbed Violet by the arm and peeked into the bang. “Goodies, you say?”

“A Kian original,” she whispered and opened up the bag. ”His jewelry never got the popularity his clothing did, but if anyone there sees you in this, they’ll know where it’s from. I managed to snag this a few years back off a collector. Everyone will be looking at you.”

I quickly closed the bag, my eyes stinging.

“This means a lot to you, doesn’t it?” I asked. Her eyes darted back to the bag.

“Yes, but… You need something like this now. And it’s better for it to get some attention than sit in my closet. It belongs out in the world, amongst the art. You can give it that.”

I grabbed her hand. “I’ll make sure to get it back to you in one piece."

She gave me a grateful smile.

Piper leaned closer and used her fingers to open the bag just enough to peek in.

She let out a soft gasp.

“Girl, this is worth more than my dad’s penthouse.”

I jerked back, suddenly not wanting the gift at all.

“What?”

My loud voice drew the glares of a few onlookers, so I gave them an apologetic grin.

“I saved up for it,” Violet admitted sheepishly. “And traded something of my own. Don’t worry about it, please. I meant what I said.”

Unease washed over me. All these beautiful things… I didn’t want to ruin them.

“This and that dress calls for an updo,” Piper said and let out a hum.

“Piper, I don’t want to spend your money or his. So…”

“I know a girl who owes me a favor. Do you think I’ll be allowed over before the event?”

No, I thought. But all I said out loud was, “Maybe you can send me another video?”

17

WARREN

I thought Addison would be excelling at something like this, and yet…

I let out a heavy sigh.

How hard is it to just spend some fucking money?

“Where did she go?” I asked, looking at the iPad that showed my bank account’s latest transactions.