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Don’t worry about tonight. It’s almost over. You deserve to be there as much as the rest of us, if not more. If I forget to tell you, you look beautiful tonight. I hope you save me a dance.

-Reed

“That sneaky bastard,” I mutter before dropping his note onto my bed. I look back over at the mask.

He honestly did a good job.

“I’ll think about a dance,” I say to myself before heading off to the shower to get ready.

∞∞∞

I stand at the balcony overlooking the ball. Everyone’s dressed to the nines. I look around and spot some familiar faces.

Tinsley.

Sterling.

Finley.

Poppy.

“He’s down there waiting, little fox,” a voice says from behind me.

I turn. “Well, don’t you clean up nice,” I tease Keaton.

“Psh, I always look good. Now you, on the other hand, are going to break some necks tonight.”

I can’t help but blush at his words. “If you say so.”

“You want to walk down there by yourself or with me?”

“I still need a minute, so please go on. Just stay near so I can find you,” I say lightly.

“Always, little fox,” Keaton tells me before leaning forward and kissing my cheek.

I watch Keaton descend the stairs. Once he’s in the ballroom, he looks up and gives me a nod.

I can do this.

I make my way to the stairs and stand at the top before descending slowly. I take my time, not tripping on my dress but not looking down, making eye contact with several people around me.

I reach the bottom of the steps without falling on my face and can’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. I spot Tinsley and V standing together looking like two proud mothers and work my way to them.

“What do you two look so happy about?” I ask.

“All eyes were on you. That was one hell of an entrance,” V teases.

“You looked positively wicked,” Tinsley gushes.

“You took my breath away,” Reed rumbles from behind me.

I turn to him. “Hi,” I say softly.

Reed hisses. “Dear God. You in that dress….”

“You like it?”

“Love it,” he growls.