“I know, right?” she says, giggling and fanning her very ample cleavage.
“She’s a walking titty fuck,” Colt says cheerfully before glancing at Royal. “Didn’t expect to see you here. Or anywhere with Harper.”
Royal gives him a cool look. “Get used to it.”
Colt shrugs and flashes me a smile. “Looking fine as usual, Teeny.”
“You too,” I say, returning his smile. “Are our other friends here?”
“Josie doesn’t believe in school dances,” Dixie says. “But everyone else is here. Come on, let’s go in.”
We head into the café, which shows no signs that it was the site of a brawl yesterday. It’s decorated with streamers and posters, little twinkling lights winding along the rafters of the high ceiling and mirror balls twirling from the giant fans.
“Harper,” Gloria squeals, rushing over in what looks like a wedding dress. “You came! And look what you brought.” She wiggles her brows at me and leans over the full skirt to give me air kisses.
“What did you bring?” I ask, glancing behind her to where two guys stand watching. “Baron or Rylan?”
“I came with Baron, and we’ll be crowned for sure.” She gives an excited little grin and grabs my hand. “But Rylan wanted to talk, so maybe I’ll leave with him.”
“Well, good luck,” I say. “If that’s what you want, you should have it.”
“You look so gorgeous,” she says. “Especially with Royal. You should have come over to my house to get ready. I could have done your hair.”
I shrug, since I didn’t really do myself up too much. I did my hair and makeup, but no more than usual, since I didn’t think I’d be on a real date.
“We’ll do it before prom,” she says, taking my hand and giving it a quick squeeze.
“Sure,” I agree.
“Hey, maybe you can campaign and win prom queen,” she says. “When everyone sees Royal here with you… You’re going to knock me right off the top girl spot.”
“Do I need to watch my back?” I ask, quirking a brow.
“Not from me,” she says. “I won last year, and they don’t let the same person win two years in a row. So I’m just here to watch your back for you.”
I thank her, and then Dixie drags me over to where Susanna and Quinn are sipping punch near a table. I spot Gideon with them and stiffen, ready for him to tell me what an asshole I am. But he smiles and comes over.
“Hey,” he says, holding out a hand to Royal. “I didn’t know you and Harper were a thing, but we were just going as friends, anyway.”
Royal gives him a cool look, and Gideon shifts from one foot to the other. I elbow Royal, and he grudgingly gives Gideon’s hand a quick pump.
“Who are you here with?” I ask just as the music starts and the lights go down.
“Those girls,” he says, raising his voice over the music and nodding to Dixie’s group. “None of us have dates, so it worked out.”
“Sorry to cancel on you last minute,” I say, leaning in so he can hear me. “I’m not with Royal. But until he knows that, it’s probably best if you don’t ask me to things like this, even as friends.”
He shakes his head and looks at me like I’m nuts, and I realize how crazy it is that I’ve gotten used to this, that I don’t even question Royal’s behavior. But he is who he is, and I’ve accepted it. I think I’ve finally accepted that I’m his, even if I’m not willing to admit it to him just yet.
“Harper,” a voice shrieks over the music. I turn to see Magnolia and her two freshman friends. She races over and throws herself into my arms, her friends tottering after her, looking like they’ve never worn heels before. Magnolia’s wearing a pink chiffon nightmare of a dress and a pair of black Converse sneakers. She clings to my neck, pressing her mouth against my ear. “My cousin told me he told you about my brother. If you get him killed, I swear on my Brody Villines poster I’ll climb in your window and smother you in your sleep. I’m not kidding. I have a gun.”
“Good to know,” I say, fighting through the cloud of her dress to push her off me.
“Oh my god, it’s my favorite song,” she squeals. “Come dance!”
She bounds off like a hyper puppy, her friends trailing after her. I shake my head and turn back to Royal, who’s staring at me, some unreadable expression on his face.
“What?” I ask. “You know I’m friends with the Darlings now.”