Page 18 of The Other Side
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“Violet!” Jolene exclaimed. Always one to greet me as though she hadn’t just seen me quite recently, she pulled me into a tight embrace.
She began venting about all the errands Winston had sent her out on during the day, but I couldn’t ignore my throbbing feet, or the fact that Chance Harper had once again spotted me and was making his way through the crowd in my direction.
“Jolene,” I interrupted her, placing my hand on her forearm, “I don’t feel very well. I’m so sorry. Can we talk tomorrow?”
Her face fell.
“I’ll bring you lunch,” I offered, glancing quickly over her shoulder. Serena had managed to intercept Chance.
Ha!
“Please tell me it wasn’t the canapés. I swear they were all at the regulation temperature.”
“No.” I shook my head. “Just a migraine coming on. And my feet are killing me.”
“Were you over by the sound booth? Because somebody shattered a glass over there. Are you bleeding?” Her brow furrowed in concern.
“I don’t think so.” I gulped when I realized Chance had managed to evade Serena, but I couldn’t see him in the crowd. “I’m sorry. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” I gave her hand a quick squeeze and turned to leave, only to run right into a brick wall, which turned out to be Chance’s impressively muscular chest.
“Woah.” Chance’s hands darted out to my shoulders to steady me. “Sorry.”
“I need to go.” I pulled away from him.
“Leaving so soon, Miss Price?” The headmaster once again appeared out of nowhere to scold me.
Is everyone in on this plot against me?
“I’m sick.” I glared up at him, just over Chance’s shoulder, both infuriatingly blocking my exit.
“I was just offering to escort her back to her room.” The corners of Chance’s mouth turned up at the opportunity. “Don’t want anyone fainting on the front lawn.” He chuckled, turning to the headmaster.
Was that asshole mocking me?
“Good man.” Winston again clapped an approving hand over Chance’s shoulder. “Nice to see chivalry is alive and well.”
I stifled a snort at both the sentiment and the person who was delivering it.
“C’mon, let’s get you to bed.” Chance wrapped his arm around my waist, sending the traitorous butterflies soaring at the intimate contact.
I attempted to step out of his hold, but he only tightened his grip.
His audacity was appalling.
“Jolene, they’re out of vermouth at the bar. Be a dear and grab another bottle from the kitchens,” Winston instructed her, whenI turned to bid them both farewell. The words died on my lips as Jolene quickly scurried to carry out his request.
The moment we were far enough from the party, I ducked out of Chance’s grasp.
I slipped my heels off and marched across the front lawn toward the carriage house.
“Hey, wait up!” Chance called out, jogging to catch up with me. “You’re fast for such a short little thing.” He was easily able to keep a regular stride with me as I was forced to speed walk, not wanting to all out sprint toward the confines of my apartment.
“Fuck off, Chance,” I growled.
“Hey.” He reached out for my wrist, but his grip was light, so I was able to easily pull it through his fingers.
“Don’t touch me,” I snapped.
