"And expanding," Xavier said. "Just wait until you see the dress that Corsica chose."
"If she ever comes out," Penn groaned.
Alice cleared her throat. "Be nice, Penn. For goodness sake, I don't know how she puts up with you."
I leaned my head on the door. I should have known that Xavier had made suggestions and helped select my wardrobe choices. He was thoughtful and kind, but his son was determined to remember only the very worst of him.
Now Penn was fuming because he was so used to thinking he was better than his father, and here was Alice pointing out it wasn't true.
Penn stomped down the hallway. In a panic, I vaulted over the bed and spun around to pretend I had just come from the bathroom. I had done my hair and make-up before I came to my senses, but it was too late to undo the elaborate upsweep style now.
"Corsica?" Penn knocked hard. "I'm coming in."
I crossed my arms over the robe. "I thought we agreed that since this is a business deal, I would have my privacy."
"This is my room," he said.
"Only because you insisted I get ready in here," I hissed. "As if your parents would care if I was using the guest room."
Penn's eyes flew open. "You aren't even dressed yet. Corsica, what are you doing? I thought you'd be dying to go to the fancy snore-fest."
I deliberately turned away from the siren call of the beautiful gown. "If you're not excited about it, why do you care if I'm ready or not?"
"We're going with my parents. They're ready to leave," Penn gestured to the door. "Come on, let's go."
I turned my back on him and faced the bathroom door. "I'm not going. In fact, I was just getting ready to take a bath. Your suite does have the better bathtub."
Penn's hands were on my shoulders, and he spun me around. He was devastatingly handsome in his tailored tuxedo. The crisp black shirt and sleek tuxedo jacket covered up the majority of his tattoos, and I noticed that he had trimmed his beard. It was short and smelled of a bergamot vanilla aftershave that weakened my knees.
"What are you trying to do?" Penn asked. His dark eyes peered into mine.
I blinked. "I'm not trying to do anything. I'm telling you that I'd rather stay here and soak in the bathtub with a good book than go to, what did you call it? This 'fancy snore-fest.'"
"You're lying."
I looked him straight in the eyes and hoped he saw what I meant with my whole heart. "I would rather stay here and talk about camping and outdoor sports equipment all night than go to this charity ball."
Penn let go of my shoulders as if I had burned him. "Since when did you make a one-eighty?"
"I'd tell you that I've enjoyed my summer, especially visiting Pinnacles and camping, but you seem determined to not believe me." I wrapped the robe tighter around me. "Maybe I've changed. Maybe you've helped me figure out who I really am."
He snorted. "Maybe. And, maybe I should remind you of the high and mighty speech you gave earlier about holding up your end of the deal. We're pretending to be engaged to make my mother happy and to keep my father off my back. So, tonight we're going to the country club together."
He marched to the door, but stopped when I asked him. "What would you rather do tonight?"
When Penn didn't answer, I got angry. He slipped out and announced loudly to his parents that I was almost ready. Fine, he wanted to be so blind; that was his problem. I would hold up my end of the deal. I ripped off the robe and slipped into the heavenly dress. The full skirt whispered as it settled around me. I glanced in the mirror, but my only thought was I needed the stunning gown to be my armor.
I felt Penn's eyes sweep over me for the twentieth time as he helped me out of the limousine later. My cheeks were hot from the glances he'd given me in the car. Xavier and Alice were happily whispering and shooting us knowing looks. My gut twisted as I thought about how disappointed they would be when they found out it was all a lie.
"I'll save you all the formal introductions," Penn said. "Just look around and enjoy yourself. I'll get us some drinks."
He left me standing in the arched doorway to the ballroom, and I was glad the dress I chose fit to perfection. It didn't matter that I was now alone or that I was the only woman not sporting blinding amounts of jewelry. I smiled back at the heads that turned my way. I knew how to handle a crowd like the one at the country club. Joshua had taught me well.
Still, I found myself drifting away from possible conversations. I slowly and casually made my way to the open patio doors. The party spilled out into the night, and some guests were even strolling through the darkened gardens.
"You read my mind," Penn grumbled. He appeared at my elbow and handed me a crystal flute of champagne. "Did you write my name on any silent auction items?"
"No, but I should have," I said.