Chapter 96

I pull mauve shoes from the space under the bed, with high black heels a couple of shades darker than my dress, but I think they’ll work.

“That’s supposed to encourage me to leave?” Arrick grins at me as I straighten back up to face him, cheeky and suggestive, with an eyebrow raised. That teen Carrero on display with his good mood still bubbling around. It wasn’t unknown for him to make jokey sexual innuendos in the past, but we have been missing them since this messy love thing came between us.

“Stay if you want, but you’re the one trying to stay platonic with everyone.” I throw back with a raised brow and sarcastic smile. His brow dips in an unamused frown that is still boyishly cute, and he walks out of the room, closing the door softly behind him. I’m not sure that is the reaction I want, but I’m in too much of a hurry to ponder.

I walk out of my room sassily when I’m dolled up in the figure-hugging cocktail dress. It’s knee length, has a tight pencil skirt, an