“I’ll let you get back to work.”

I left before I could do something I regretted, like ask her to ditch her plans with her brother and spend time with me instead.

Willow

As Sage did my hair in preparation for the dance, I wallowed in what-ifs. What if I’d said yes to Ronan? What if I had been honest with him about everything? I’d have much rather spent the night with him than Tom and his flavor of the month. But at least Tom hadn’t tried to set me up with any of his friends tonight. He loved to introduce me to “suitable” men, hoping one might stick.

“Why does Tom insist on going to these things when he has no money?” Sage asked, putting the finishing touches on a braid that curved around my forehead like a tiara.

I sighed. “Because he refuses to live within his means.”

It worried me that I didn’t know where the money for tonight was coming from. Events like this cost thousands of dollars per ticket, and thousands more went into looking the part. From what I could tell, Tom was basically broke. Yet he still insisted on putting on an appearance, clad in his latest designer outfit. He hadn’t been pleased when I’d told him I’d be wearing a dress I already owned and would have Sage do my hair, but when I made it clear that was the only way I’d agree to go, he hadn’t argued.

I checked my nails. I’d painted the pale pink polish myself and if anyone looked too closely, they’d know I hadn’t had them professionally done. And people would look. That’s what they did at these events. They gossiped over who was wearing what, and who’d come with whom. I had no patience for it, but I’d been attending galas and charity dinners since I was eighteen, and at some point, my frustration with them had dulled.

“There.” Sage patted an elegant knot on the back of my head. “All done. You look beautiful.”

I smiled. “Thank you.”

I gazed at my reflection, feeling oddly nostalgic. Perhaps I didn’t enjoy the routine of getting dressed up for an event, but it was predictable, and I had a feeling we wouldn’t be doing it up for much longer. Even if Tom maintained control of the company, things would have to change or we’d end up back in the same situation.

“Are you sure you should go?” Sage asked, gnawing on her lower lip. “You haven’t seen anyone following you today? I’m worried about whoever took those pictures.”

I hadn’t shown Sage the photos, but I’d told her about them. Particularly the photograph of me on my bed. That had really gotten to me.

“I haven’t noticed anyone.” I applied lipstick and puckered up. “Maybe they saw me go to the police station and backed off.”

“Maybe,” she murmured, but I could tell she wasn’t convinced.