Page 108 of What Goes Around

“Almost ready,” the stylist said. “Miss looks stunning.”

Mom smiled proudly. “Good. Nick will be here tonight.”

I looked up sharply. “Nick?”

Tall. Rich. Handsome.

I had always liked him. Wanted him.

“Yes,” she said lightly. “Try to catch his attention. It wouldn’t hurt.”

I smiled. “Trust me.”

By five forty-five, Mom was flawless. She checked herself once more in the mirror and nodded.

“I’m going down to greet guests,” she said. “Take your time.”

I stayed behind.

I wanted my entrance to make an impression.

I adjusted my posture in the mirror, letting the moment stretch. When I walked in, I wanted every head to turn. I wanted the room to feel it.

This night was mine.

When I finally stepped into the ballroom, music filled the air and the space was already alive, laughter echoing off marble floors, champagne glasses clinking, the scent of perfume and money hanging heavy.

Mom and Dad moved between guests, smiling, shaking hands, performing.

Heads turned.

I smiled.

Everything was exactly as it should be.

I made my rounds, greeted guests, accepted compliments, flirted just enough, until I noticed something missing.

Ashley wasn’t there.

I scanned the room again.

Still nothing.

A slow smile curved my lips.

Had she been too ugly to show up? Tried to do her own makeup and failed? Realized she didn’t belong?

The thought pleased me.

I turned and drifted toward my friends, all of them daughters of money and legacy, girls who understood appearances instinctively.

One of them leaned in. “Hasn’t Ashley arrived yet?”

Another wrinkled her nose. “Is she actually going to wear that?

“The dress is worse than the one she wore at your birthday last year,” someone else added, laughing softly.

They sounded exactly the way I wanted them to.