“Stop apologizing. Let me get you to the toilets so you can clean up a bit.” I started walking and she fell into step with me.
“My family is definitely not going to let me go on holiday with my friends after this,” she said. “I never do anything and the one night I’m feeling rebellious and have three drinks this happens.”
“You can’t drink on an empty stomach. It’s a lesson all of us have to learn.” I waved at the security guarding the building with the closest restrooms and opened the door. When we got inside, I immediately looked for the basket I’d asked all of the toilets be stocked with—mints, gum, mouthwash, hair ties, brushes, aspirin, and oil towelettes.
“How’d you know this was in here?” Pilar asked beside me. I looked at her through the mirror in front of us and realized I was still wearing my mask. I pulled it from my face and set it aside, turning to face her.
“I planned the party.”
“You’re Adeline from Pirouette!”
“I’m Adeline.” I smiled at the enthusiasm in her voice.
“Oh, this is even more embarrassing.” She closed her eyes and threw her head back. “I love your events.”
I laughed. “Trust me, it’s not embarrassing. I haven’t even stepped foot at one of my events in months.”
“Because of the scandal?” She shot me a sympathetic look when I nodded. “All of my friends have had a scandal. My brothers are the kings of scandals. I don’t think it’s as big a deal as you think it is.”
“Everyone says that, but it doesn’t make it any easier.” I shrugged and reached into the basket, picking up the mouthwash and handing it to her. She took it and opened it, reaching for a cup and rinsing her mouth.
“Is there anything in that basket that cures looking like absolute shit at the party of the year?”
“You look fine. Besides, we’re wearing masks.”
“Very true.” She smiled as she straightened and put the mouthwash back into the basket. “You really thought of everything.”
“I try.”
“I went to Danika’s wedding and by the end of the third song, I thought my feet were going to fall off, and then they announced that under the tables they’d provided flats. I wanted to make out with whoever came up with that idea. I heard it was you.”
“It was. I hate it when my feet hurt at a party but I really hate taking my shoes off, so I figured, why not provide a solution?”
“It was brilliant. And then Erika Max’s twenty-first birthday on the yacht? Oh my God. To die for,” she boasted. “And Renee’s engagement? Amazing. I can’t even wait to see how the wedding will turn out.”
“I’m sure it’ll be beautiful.” I smiled sadly. “They didn’t ask me to do it.”
“Not because of the scandal?” Pilar gasped.
“I lost a lot of clients.” I shrugged. “It was my fault.”
“I bet Thomas didn’t lose anything,” she said, frowning.
“It’s a man’s world.”
“Don’t I know it.” Her frown deepened. “This entire party is proof of that. I’m so annoyed with it all. All of my friends are here, throwing themselves at my brothers as if they didn’t grow up acting like they were like older brothers to them too. It’s gross and incestuous.”
“I’m sure there’s some real incest somewhere in your bloodline.”
“That’s disturbing,” she said, but laughed. “My mother actually says that to my father. It always gets a rise out of him.”
“He wasn’t able to come?”
“He made the trip, but not the party. He’s exhausted.” Her smile turned sad. “He’s not doing well. I know people want me to lie and say he’s fine, but he’s not and I’m tired of lying.”
“I won’t tell anyone.” I put the basket back where it was and set the mask on my face. “Tonight, you’re just a girl who wants to have fun. I’m sure you have at least one friend who’s not vying for your brothers’ attention.” We started walking outside. I looked at her. “What about Joss?”
“Joss.” She laughed. “She’s probably trying not to kill Aramis right now. She can’t stand him and she’s too stupid to see he’s been in love with her for like ever.”
“Aramis? In love? With Joss?” Each word that left my mouth sounded more incredulous than the last. “She’s never talked to me about him.”
“Because she truly doesn’t like him.” Pilar smiled. “She’s a good friend.”
If being a good friend meant not going after one of her brothers, I definitely wouldn’t tell Pilar about Elias and me. Not that there was anything to tell. We reached the Ballroom Grove again and I was glad to see the DJ had taken center stage and everyone was dancing. It looked hilariously out of place—the DJ playing this music with everyone wearing these gowns. It was a complete mindfuck. If any of the past kings would have climbed out of their graves and stumbled upon this scene, they would have been highly confused.