Paradise Lost (Private 9)

"Okay. That's done," Kiran said, joining us and handing me a big paper shopping bag. "Now all we need to do is find you a dress for Casino Night."

"Yeah, but there's nothing formal enough here," Noelle said, glancing around.

"More shopping?" I asked.

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Kiran put her arm around my shoulders. "You say that as if it's a bad thing. If there's one thing I can teach you in this life, Reed, it's this: You can never have too much shopping."

"Hear, hear!" Taylor cheered.

"Ah, the wisdom of Kiran Hayes," Noelle joked. "You really should write a self-help book."

We laughed and were about to walk out onto the sunlit sidewalk when I saw Sawyer and Graham across the street.

"Hey, there are your friends," I said.

I noticed then that they were arguing. Sawyer's body language was very aggressive, while it was clear that Graham was trying to chill him out.

"What's that about?" I asked, curious.

I could have sworn that Noelle's brow creased for a moment in concern, but just as quickly the expression was gone. "Those two," she said fondly. "Always arguing about something." Then she grabbed my arm and tugged, forcing me to look away from the window. "Come on. You need shoes."

I rolled my eyes, but I smiled. She was right. I did need shoes. Heels. Nice three-inch heels that would bring me eye to eye with Upton.

Not that I was going there. Really. I wasn't.

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CHAPTER 8 FUN

The party that night was in the penthouse suite of the Simon Hotel, a towering structure built atop a cliff overlooking the ocean. The high-ceilinged room was decorated in an eclectic style, mixing modern furniture with a Grecian sensibility. Square couches, pillows, and ottomans dotted the room, arranged on a gleaming marble floor around ornate columns. Huge palm fronds were displayed in tall urns, and the sconces on the walls looked like colorful pieces of paper curled into cones. Weird, yes, but somehow it all worked. Possibly because no one was paying much attention to the decor. It was all about the people.

Everyone I had met since I'd arrived was there, along with about thirty other people all under twenty-one--all drinking heavily. One look at the outfits and I was grateful that Kiran and the others had forced me to shop. Colorful dresses, strappy sandals, and designer bags were the order of the day. If I had walked into this party in jeans and Chuck D's, I might have melted under the scrutiny.

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I was wearing the green-and-blue dress with a pair of subtle gold sandals and a gold cuff bracelet Noelle had leant me. Kiran had put my hair up in a messy bun with plenty of wispy pieces tickling my face. I felt beautiful--and like I belonged.

I spent the first hour dancing with Kiran, Taylor, and Tiffany in the center of the room. Just letting loose and having fun. Pretending the world didn't exist. Finally the new shoes started to pinch my toes, and I had to take a break. I grabbed a glass of water from the bar and maneuvered my way to the couch, where Noelle was hanging out with West.

"So, where's this Poppy girl?"

I asked, dropping down next to Noelle. Her knees were turned toward West's, and she let out a tinkling laugh as she turned toward me. I blinked. Her hand was on his chest, and he was looking adoringly at her.

Wait a second. Noelle was flirting with West? I mean, okay, he was one of the most coveted guys in the senior class with his deep brown eyes, lacrosse star body, and addiction to Ralph Lauren. But he wasn't Dash.

"Oh, she likes to make an entrance," Noelle told me. "I'm sure she'll be here soon."

I waved off a waiter offering a flute of champagne, and Noelle went back to cuddling into West's side and whispering in his ear. I couldn't wrap my brain around Noelle being with anyone other than Dash. It was just too odd. Like watching your mother flirt with the dude at the drive-through window or something. As she ran the backs of her fingers along his jaw line I had to look away...

... and ended up looking right at Upton. Of course. All night I had

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been trying not to search him out, and all night I had been doing just that. Right then he was leaning back against the bar, swilling a clear drink as Kiran chatted in his ear. Apparently she had decided to take a break from dancing as well, and she had gotten right back in the game. Upton nodded and pursed his lips as he swallowed, obviously tasting the sourness of the alcohol. Then he placed the glass on the bar and turned to Paige, who had just laid her hand on his opposite arm. Amberly sidled up to him as well, trying to edge out Kiran. Damn, these girls were shameless. I wondered if he knew it was a competition. My guess was no. He probably thought he was simply irresistible to all women.

Which, let's face it, he was.