"Just felt the right thing to do."
At a loss for what to say, I just tell him goodbye, assuring him I'll take care of her. I desperately need something else to think about besides Damon. If this Serena will bring my brother the love he deserves, then I'll make sure she looks breathtaking. What was it that Hazel's mom always said? The way to a man's heart is through his nose. First take his breath away, then steal his heart. Excellent advice. Unless he breaks your heart first.
***
The party is still in full swing by the time I head to my room, but I have no energy to keep going on. I did all right being Serena's guide before James took over. Now he's doing a fantastic job—at least I think he is. They disappeared from the party hours ago, and his car is still here. This means they're in one of the bedrooms of this house.
I fish my phone out of my purse when I reach the door to my room. There is no call or message from Damon. At this point, I don’t know if I’d answer even if he did call. I’m too annoyed.
When I open the door, I intend to head straight to my bed and collapse in it without even changing. But my bed is already occupied. Damon is sitting on the edge, staring at a flyer in his hands, apparently unaware I've just entered the room. Dread creeps under my skin almost immediately. Something is wrong.
"Damon. How long have you been here?"
"Two hours, maybe three." His head snaps up to me, my insides melting when I meet his gaze. He looks like I did before I smeared three layers of makeup on my face: like he hasn't slept at all since we last saw each other.
"Why didn't you say you were here? I waited for you to call." I'm still at the door, afraid to take another step. Whatever brought him in this state...I'm not ready to face it.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't sure if I'd stay here long enough to see you."
"Damon, you're not making sense." Slowly, I walk toward him. "What's going on?"
He rises abruptly, jamming the flyer in the pocket of his jacket. "Will you take a walk with me?"
"Okay. Just give me a few minutes to change."
"Don't. You look perfect."
I raise an eyebrow. I’m wearing a white, extravagant dress which was appropriate for the theme of the party, but will look silly outside. Damon seems oblivious to that.
"I'll just grab my coat then; it's chilly outside. We can use the main entrance. There are so many people downstairs, no one will notice us."
Chapter Twenty: Damon
We walk in silence for ten minutes before she finally breaks it. "Where are we going?"
"There’s a planetarium a few blocks away. We're almost there."
"Are we trespassing?" she asks, worry coloring her voice. My heart sinks. The fact that Dani even has to ask this is the last straw. They're all right: her parents, my asshole father. They're wrong in a million other things, but not about this: I am not right for her.
"No."
"I haven't been to this planetarium in a few years, but I'm pretty sure it's not open at three o'clock in the morning."
I take the flier out of my pocket, showing it to her. "It is today. Special night."
"Okay."
I can tell by her wide eyes that she's still waiting for me to explain my behavior. Like the coward I am, I can't find the words to do so. She'll figure it out on her own...I hope.
When we arrive at the planetarium, the man at the reception gives me a skeptical once-over, then ogles Dani's dress.
"What's this, Lady and the Tramp?" I'd punch him if his comment wasn't so ironically spot on. "We're closing."
"On the flier, it says it's open for another hour," I counter.
"I'm closing early. Management thought this would be a brilliant idea. It's been a bust. No one's shown up after twelve o'clock."
"Great. Then we'll have the place to ourselves."