“Make sure your revenge doesn’t end up hurting yourself.” Well, shit. That’s a bit of a buzzkill. Why does he have to go and be all wise?
“Cillian,” I sigh. “This is bull crap. Look at our parents. They're so in love. I mean, it’s already going to be hard to find someone to live up to that. They’ve made me believe what they have is possible and then they hand me over to Felipe!”
“You say the word, Ames, and I’ll have you on a plane,” he offers.
“I know,” I sigh. “What do you think of Felipe?” I know he thinks he’s not good enough, but I want to know more. Or maybe it’s better not to know.
“Not much really. Met him a few times, but his scenes are not my scenes.” I snort a laugh, thinking about Cillian being at some club partying it up. Not likely. “He asked for you.”
“What?” I gasp in surprise. I didn’t see that coming. “Like personally?”
“Their family reached out to us. He also turned down your dowry.” I try to wrap my mind around that. “Are you trying to work that out too?” I nod. “Makes two of us.” Cillian folds his arms over his chest, which is something he always does when he’s deep in thought. “And you’ve never met him?”
“No.” We could have crossed paths, but I’ve never been introduced to him. I would have been too shy back when I had a giant crush on him. After I learned more about him, I would have avoided it.
“Like I said—”
“I know, Cillian.” I reach out and grab his hand, giving it a squeeze. “Why don’t you have some fun tonight too?”
“Don’t push it,” he grumbles as we pull up to the event.
“You want to go around?” I ask, knowing he’s not a fan of the red carpet.
“I’ll be fine.” He pulls on his mask, and I follow suit, putting mine into place.
“To the back please,” I tell Henry anyway.
“Why?” Cillian asks. I can’t read his expression with the mask on.
“I want to blend in.” I don’t want to be the ice queen Amelia Flores. Tonight, I’m going to be free.