Beautiful Disaster (Privilege 2)

"One, be in his space, but not in his face--"

"Which you are utterly failing at," Maria pointed out.

Soomie hesitated, but chose to ignore this comment. "Two, have your own life and interests. Three, never leave the house without mascara. Four, flirt with other boys, and five . . . make sure his friends and family love you," she finished, looking pointedly at Maria.

Ariana laughed. "That's some list."

"It better be, after two years of interviewing and cataloging the

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responses of girls aged thirteen to twenty-one who were in

successful relationships of more than six months."

"Wow."

"Yeah. She can be a little scary." Maria let out an impatient sigh and Ariana shot her a knowing look. She understood why Maria didn't want Soomie to meet Landon's parents. Right now she had a leg up, knowing the family. She was slightly more important in Landon's life than Soomie was. An introduction would make them equal. Why had Maria never told Soomie about her feelings for Landon? They were supposed to be best friends. Best friends told each other everything.

Except, of course, when the boy in question was supposedly unworthy. Which was why, years ago, Ariana had kept her relationship with Thomas Pearson a secret from Noelle, as much as it was possible to keep a secret from Noelle. But Landon, obviously, was not unworthy.

"Fine," Maria said, rolling her eyes and placing her glass on the tray of a passing waiter. "We'll be back," she said to Ariana. "Mingle," she added again over her shoulder. "Don't forget, this is a big event."

"I've got it," Ariana told her. This was the third time that day she felt directed by Maria. She wasn't sure whether to feel grateful because the girl was looking out for her, or offended because Maria obviously thought she couldn't fend for herself.

Soomie paused before scurrying off, glancing at Ariana as if she'd just realized she was standing there. "You look amazing, by the way," she said matter-of-factly. "Very

event-appropriate. That won't go unnoticed."

"Thanks," Ariana said, looking down at her dress and touching her pearl necklace with her fingertips. The two girls hurried off and

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Ariana watched them go, her brow furrowed. Again, she felt as if she was missing something.

With a confused sigh, Ariana looked around the room at all the well-dressed smiling people chatting and downing drinks all around her. Suddenly she realized that this was the first cocktail party she had attended in ages, and she decided to forget about Maria and Soomie and their odd behavior and just let herself sink into the light and airy atmosphere. Nothing much had changed about these events during her two years in prison. There were still trays of hors d'oeuvres and flutes of champagne, overdressed women eyeing one another's choice of frock, and underdressed men checking their watches. And as always, the vibe was festive. Bubbly. Full of froth. Not a care in the room. Which suited Ariana just fine. She was due for a carefree evening.

A familiar laugh caught her ear and she turned. Palmer stood in the center of the ballroom's marble dance floor, wearing a perfectly cut suit, an APH tie, and an American flag lapel pin, chatting with a couple who could only be his parents. He was the spitting image of his father, who had a few wrinkles around the eyes, but not many other signs of age. His mother had light brown hair, blue eyes, and the straightest posture in the room, but Ariana could tell by her broad gestures and unabashed laughter that she wasn't the least bit uptight.

Impressing the parents is key to snagging the boy, Ariana thought.She smiled, matched her posture to Mrs. Liriano's, and, feeling confident in her event-appropriate choice of dress, strode over to join Palmer and his family. Palmer did a double take as she approached, and his smile widened.

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"Good evening," Ariana said, completing the circle by standing across from Palmer.

"Hello," Mrs. Liriano said.

"Mother, Father, meet Ana Covington," Palmer said in his low, sexy voice. "She just transferred to APH."

"Very nice to meet you, Ana." Palmers mother offered her hand.

"Likewise," Ariana said, making sure her Texan accent was intact.

"You made a wise choice, transferring here," his father added. "Mrs. Liriano has nothing but fond memories."

"You graduated APH?" Ariana asked Mrs. Liriano.

"Ages ago," she replied, taking a sip of her champagne.