“Whoa,” he laughed. “Alright. I swear that your sister is in good hands with me.”
“Pinky swear,” I said, holding out my hand with utter seriousness.
He laughed, but when my hand didn’t budge, he stuck his out to join mine.
“I do solemnly pinky swear,” he said with a sincere tone.
“Cammie!” Brooklyn yelled from her bathroom. “Jesus, stop scaring off my fiancé and come get dressed!”
“I’m watching you, Monroe,” I teased, as I pointed the same pinky from my eye to his, then moved to step past him.
He laughed. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
After that, Brooklyn and her makeup artist rushed to help me change into my dress and touch up my makeup and hair. I was wearing my favorite color: a deep royal blue. The dress was stretchy and easy to move in. The hem cut off at mid-thigh and the strapless bodice was fitted with a hidden corset so that I didn’t have to worry about pulling it up all night. I was borrowing some of Brooklyn’s cream-colored Louboutin heels that I’d worn dozens of times before. I mean, they were basically mine at this point.
Since the hairstylist had curled my hair earlier, I left off a necklace in favor of layering gold bangles on my wrist. It offered a little bohemian touch to an otherwise fancy outfit.
“You look gorgeous!” Brooklyn said, meeting my eye in the mirror.
I laughed, unable to fully look at her without going blind. Literally. She looked absolutely stunning. She was wearing an ivory Grecian-inspired dress that was belted around her waist with embroidered crystals. Her hair was down, just like mine, and the only accessory she needed was the giant rock sitting on her left ring finger: a princess cut stone that was big enough to knock someone out. Good work, Monroe.
“Ready?” I asked, taking her hand in mine.
She smiled and nodded. “Let’s go.”
…
I stood in the corner of the room, sipping on a glass of champagne and watching as Brooklyn and Jason moved around the room and greeted guests. I smiled at the way Jason looked at Brooklyn with stars in his eyes. He was completely enamored and I knew that my sister was in good hands.
A waiter circled by me with a tray of delicious smelling hors d’oeuvres and I shook my head, knowing that I couldn’t stomach any food until I saw Grayson. He was due to arrive any minute, but every time the door opened, I’d feel a pang of disappointment as another one of Brooklyn or Jason’s friends stepped inside instead of him.
“Have you tried the salmon balls yet? They are fucking amazing,” Summer said, joining me in the corner with two champagne flutes.
“Not yet. But, oh, I already have a drink,” I said, holding up my champagne.
She laughed. “Don't flatter yourself little C, these are both for me.”
I laughed and shook my head. Summer had worked for Brooklyn for years but her shock factor had yet to wear off for me.
“There aren't many eligible guys here tonight. I mean, that waiter is pretty hot, but I gave up waiters for Lent,” she said, waggling her eyebrows at the young waiter across the room.
I thought about her comment for a second. “Summer… Lent isn’t going on right now. What are you talking about?”
Her eyes lit up and a slow smile broke out across her lips. “If you’ll just excuse me then,” she said, all but bee lining for the spiky haired waiter she’d been ogling for the last few minutes. Just as she reached him, the door to Brooklyn’s apartment opened and more guests flooded in.
There was an older couple that walked in first, leaning on one another for support. After them, I recognized Brooklyn’s manager, strolling in on his cell phone, probably trying to cram in five more minutes of work. He continued on the phone while reaching for a glass of champagne as it passed by him on a tray. Impressive. I watched him for another second before a glimpse of dark brown hair pulled my attention back to the open door.
Grayson.
I froze and stared as he walked through the door. It’d been over two months since I’d last seen him but it felt like no time had passed at all. He looked just as handsome as he had when I’d left him at the airport. He was wearing a navy suit with polished brown shoes. A crisp white shirt lay beneath a fitted jacket that he filled out oh so well. His lips were spread into a wide, easy smile, and his dimples were just as appealing as they’d been two months ago.
I took a step forward to greet him, and then my eyes finally fell to his side, to the petite redhead touching his arm.
He brought a date to Brooklyn’s engagement party?
He brought a freaking date?!
Chapter Thirty-Six
I managed to pull it together as best as I could as Grayson strolled around the party with his date, introducing her to anyone he could find. I stood against the wall, watching them and trying to recall whether or not I knew any spells or hexes off the top of my head, before remembering I wasn't a witch. How hard could it be? Surely Brooklyn had a voodoo doll or some eye of newt lying around somewhere.