Lottie’s audible inhale was the only sound; she grasped Grayson’s forearm, mouth parted.
“Are you unwell?” Tansy asked Grayson. Crowne code for: Are you high?
I saw Mrs. du Lac reach for yet another wine glass and quickly said, “If you’ll excuse me, I need to go…pee.”
I turned, lifting up my skirt, and quickly heading toward the bathroom.
Goddamn it.
How hard is it to say powder my nose or something—
“How are you enjoying the party, dear?”
I froze at Tansy Crowne’s voice. She’d followed me? I slowly turned to face her. The bathroom was only a few feet from me, its dark oak door taunting.
I slowly turned around. “It’s…fine.”
She worked her diamond pendant between her fingers, watching the party. “You should have taken the money and left.”
“I don’t want your money.”
“Hmm…” She rubbed her throat. “You know, he promised me he would never talk to you again. What promises has he made you?”
My heart fractured, but I wouldn’t let her see. “He doesn’t…we don’t—”
“Lilian!” Tansy turned from me on a smile, waving at a woman with hair like a beehive, leaving me in the dust.
Tears were hot in my eyes.
Stinging.
I don’t know why I was even surprised. It was exactly the thing Grayson Crowne would do, but I could feel it. Hot and itchy in my lids, scratching up my throat. I was going to cry.
So then it happened.
The worst possible thing at the worst possible time.
Grayson Crowne.
“Snitch.”
“Go away,” I snapped, refusing to turn.
Grayson gripped my elbow before I could run away, spinning me to him.
“Let me go.”
I needed to get out of here, to the bathroom, and lock myself in until I could get control of my face. I never cried in public.
What the fuck is happening to me?
“I need to talk to you. You need to tell me what the hell you’re going through. I’ve had to look like an idiot, like, three times today!”
“This is my first time being pregnant!” I snapped. “I don’t know what the fuck to expect!”
I shoved him off, but he wouldn’t let me go.
And so the tears fell.