25. Beautiful, bubbly, attractive.

TWENTY-FIVE

BEAUTIFUL, BUBBLY, ATTRACTIVE.

HARLOW

Dinner was uneventful. I couldn’t have been more thankful that Beckett was in a good mood for once and that I was able to drive myself to dinner and then to Chi Kappa. I can’t process the emotions I’m feeling now though as I sit in front of the fraternity house. The last two times I’ve been here, something has gone horribly wrong.

Beckett didn’t wait for me and told me to find him once I got here. Surprise, surprise.

I step out of my Bronco and shrug my shoulders to get the pearl straps back in place. This dress is as beautiful now as it was when I first tried it on, but I still feel slightly out of place. Taking a deep breath, I start towards the entrance of the house, and I can’t ignore how many eyes are suddenly on me. It’s almost 9:00 PM, and I’m a little late, but most people don’t get here until this time anyways. Why is everyone staring then?

At first, the dread sinks in deep that I’ll likely become a conversation piece tonight. It seems I can never escape the gossip around my injury. However, I’m shocked when I overhear one of the girls whisper to her friend how pretty I look. A new feeling erupts in my stomach and I notice everyone’s heads turned towards me.

I shift uncomfortably before walking further into the house looking for Beckett, but also searching for him.

After a few more awkward interactions from both fraternity brothers and their dates giving me compliments, my eyes finally find the person who makes my heart hammer in my chest.

Overcome with butterflies, but not wanting to show my excitement too much, I make sure Beckett still isn’t around before walking towards my lifeguard.

It’s about two steps in that I come to a screeching halt, when I notice the girl next to him is wearing a dress that was hanging up in my apartment earlier today. Not only do I recognize the dress, but the girl wearing it. Lennon?

Frozen in the main room, I quickly dart off into the hall before sneaking into a bathroom. What the hell?

I knew Shep would be here but I didn’t expect to see him with Lennon. I shouldn’t be bothered, but it makes no sense. Was that where Lennon ran off to earlier today? To see Shep? But that didn’t make sense either because he was at his parents’ house with me. I let out a very loud groan before facing myself in the mirror.

I can’t articulate the feelings that are swelling up inside me but here I am, trying to affirm my reflection that I shouldn’t be insecure. It would be a lot easier if seeing Lennon in that backless silk red dress didn’t make me nervous. I saw how many guys were orbiting around her. That’s just Lennon—beautiful, bubbly, attractive.

Before I let my thoughts get any wilder, I grip the edge of the bathroom counter and take another deep breath. Do I actually care about Lennon with Shep? No, I don’t. I can’t. Even if I don’t want to be here with Beckett. Even if I don’t know why they’re together. I can’t let this get to me.

I’m overwhelmed with how quickly my emotions just fell apart. More so, how much Shep affected me. This isn’t what I should be worrying about. I’m being ridiculous. I stare down my reflection and remind myself of the one goal I’ve been holding onto for the last six weeks: Get better and get back with your team.

I roll my eyes and put on my best poker face before exiting the bathroom and walking towards Shep and Lennon.

“Well, you two look nice.” I glance over the pair of them, before crossing my arms and raising my eyebrows at Shep. A heat rises in my stomach when he makes eye contact with me. He traces down and back up my body with his slate eyes and a shiver runs through me.

“Harlow!” Lennon squeaks out. “You look stunning. Doesn’t she look stunning, Shep?” I don’t miss how she elbows him in the side before shoving him forward.

“That would be an understatement,” he mumbles before reaching his arms out. I glance quickly and don’t see Beckett anywhere. Taking a leap of faith, I step towards Shep, wrapping my arms around his waist.

Shep’s hands trail down my open back before he gently pulls me into his chest. For the brief second that my nose is buried into his suit, I get a good whiff of his cologne and my body betrays me. I sag into his arms and he tightens his hold around me. I all but lose my senses when I feel him press a soft kiss on the top of my head then he drags his hands across my back before pulling away and clearing his throat.

Eyeing him up and down myself, I drink up his appearance. His hair is combed back but still messy like always. He’s wearing a navy suit that compliments his eyes and he smells delicious. Shep Fords, the man that you are.

Lennon stands there gawking for a few seconds and it smacks me in the face what’s just happened. I look around quickly to make sure nobody is paying attention and, thankfully, nobody is.

Wanting to squash all of the butterflies that are starting to overtake me, I force my gaze to Lennon. “When were you planning on telling me that you were coming to the formal with Shep?”

She starts to open her mouth but then I cut my gaze to Shep. “And you, you didn’t think to mention this at the house? Hm?”

Before either of them can answer me, their faces sour and an arm snakes around my waist. “There you are,” Beckett hisses.

Shit.