“I did too,” Genevieve says, dropping a perfect curl and wrapping another strand around her curling wand. “I’m surprised you’d talk to him at all, after how he treated both of us.”
My lips purse in concentration as I blend the colors I’m putting on my sister’s eyelids. “I know, and I’m sorry. It just sort of happened. And he’s not so bad. Really. He went to bat for me last week when everyone was talking about my black eyes, you know? No one’s ever done that for me before. Plus, when I’m with Ricardo, I feel like he sees me. Does that make sense?”
Genevieve and Adrienne nod. My stepsister is grinning.
“Don’t move.”
“Sorry.” But she’s still smiling.
Their warm reception of my pretend gushing is all the encouragement I need to keep going. And let’s face it; everything I’ve said about Ricardo just now is true. I do feel seen by Ricardo, more than by anyone else in my life. We may push each other’s buttons just because we can, but it doesn’t feel spiteful anymore. The crackle of energy between us is… intriguing.
“His hair kills me. It makes me want to shove my fingers into it and never let go.” My eyes go wide. I cannot believe I said that out loud.
“Charlotte and Ricardo sitting in a tree, K. I. S .S. I. N. G.” Adrienne squeals, meeting my eyes.
My face flushes hot at the images of kissing Ricardo that flit through my mind. Our lip lock during that game of truth or dare. A secluded corner of the academy, three years ago...
Genevieve’s answering smile shows her white teeth. “He is a good kisser. I’ll give him that.”
Concern ripples through me, and I look past my sister to where Genevieve is standing at the counter. “You’re really okay with this? If it hurts you at all, I’ll put an end to it right now. It’s not worth hurting my bestie.”
She meets my gaze in the mirror. “It’s fine. We were never a great fit, anyway. It always felt like work, you know?”
I nod. I think I do, because that’s how it was when I was with Kenneth. I always felt like I had to be on my best behavior, appear mature and put together for him. I didn’t even realize how draining it was until it was over. Not that it’s a cake walk with Ricardo, but being with him doesn’t leave me emotionally and mentally drained. Instead, sparring with him revs me up and gives me energy to conquer the world. So why am I trying to make Kenneth jealous, again?
“Seriously, though,” Adrienne says, biting her lip. “I know what you mean about him seeing you. Last semester when everyone was convinced I’d killed Na, he was one of the only people who treated me like a person. Aside from you, Char, everyone treated me like an alien from a strange planet. Ricardo kept me grounded. He’s good at that.”
“What do you think?” I step back from Adrienne, finished with her eyeshadow look. It’s a smoky cherry color that compliments her dress perfectly.
Adrienne’s eyes widen when she catches sight of herself in the mirror. “I look so grown up,” she says.
“You look amazing,” I say.
Genevieve agrees.
Golden afternoon sunshine flows in through the frosted window, wreathing my sister in an aura of yellow light. She smiles, her cheeks a rosy pink.
Glancing at my phone, I say, “It’s almost time. I’m going to meet Ricardo in the surveillance room. We’ll catch up with you in the foyer.”
Genevieve blots her lipstick and Adrienne grins. “Have fun.”
“Will do.” I pull my faux fur coat on over my gorgeous dress, and descend the stairs, ignoring Bodyguard Steve’s quiet tread behind me. Instead, I revel in the sensation of my heels sinking into the plush carpet. Man, I love how beautiful heels make me feel. And liberated. Like, yes, I am wearing six inch heels, and yes, I am a powerful, intelligent, magnificent woman. Thank you very much. Tonight is going to be amazing. An evening of dancing and delicious mocktails sounds absolutely perfect.
Since it’s Saturday, all of the professors and students have abandoned the classroom hallways, either in favor of their own rooms or whatever weekend plans they have off-campus. It’s quiet as I pass through the empty corridor toward where the security office is located at the end. My instincts hum. It’s almost… eerie down here.
The late afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows into the classrooms is weakening as I tap on the closed door of the security office. No answer. Ricardo must have earbuds in or something.
Bodyguard Steve settles against the wall, his eyes hidden behind those ridiculous sunglasses.
After listening for sound from within and hearing nothing, I knock again, louder this time.
A hint of frustration flares through me as I pull out my phone and call Ricardo. What’s he doing in there? Behind the security office door, his ringtone sounds loudly, playing all the way through without interruption.
That’s weird. Ricardo doesn’t use his phone a ton, but I’m surprised he’d leave it here if he stepped out. A twinge of worry shoots through me, filling the air with nervous energy. “Ricardo?” I call.
No answer.
Glancing down the hall, I notice how dark it’s gotten while I’ve been standing here, waiting. Instead of sunlight bathing the wooden floors, they’re swathed in shadow. The brass sconces dotting the walls have lit up, illuminating us.
Now that I think about it, it is kind of odd that there’s not another soul around right now. Even though it’s Saturday, there’s usually a professor working in their office, or a student using a quiet room to catch up on some studying far from the noise and distraction of the dormitory. Where is everyone?
“Ricardo?” I call, louder this time. His ringtone drums and bops as I call him a second time without a response. Gripping the cold metal knob in one hand, I twist. It doesn’t budge. The door is locked. That’s strange.
The coil of anxiety in my chest twists tighter. Morphs into something akin to fear.
Turning to my bodyguard, I look at his sunglasses, guessing at where his eyes rest behind the dark frames. “Steve?”
“Yes, Miss Cavendish-Holt?”
I lick my lips. “Can you pick this lock for me?”
He shifts uncomfortably. “I’m not authorized to be in the surveillance room, Miss.”
Taking a step closer, I put a hand on his forearm. “You don’t understand. I’m supposed to meet my boyfriend here, and he’s not answering. I’m starting to worry that something happened to him.” It’s the bare truth. I am starting to worry. My instincts are screaming at me that something is wrong.
The man shrugs. “Maybe he’s running late.”
I know immediately that’s not it. Even though Ricardo puts off a laissez-faire vibe, he’s a great student, and he’s almost never late. Whether it’s his nature to be on time or he merely realizes how irritated I would be if he were to keep me waiting, he’s always been prompt since we started spending time together.
My stomach twists as alarm bells go off in my brain. I need to get through this door.
“Fine, if you won’t do it, I will.” I hope. Kneeling, I take my emergency stash of hair pins out of my buttery soft new clutch purse and take a deep breath. I watched Ricardo do this. I can do it. I hope.