Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
The ballroom has been transformed from a stately sort of affair to an otherworldly gilded nightclub, complete with dramatic, colorful uplights, a top DJ, and a bar at one end of the room.
Any regal carpets have been put away and a dance floor set up, which is already packed by the time we rejoin the celebrations.
There’s even a coat check, so I ditch my jacket, as does Edward.
We join the others on the dance floor. I spot Auggie and Thomas having a great time through the crowd. James dances with Elsie. There’s no sign of Frankie at the minute.
I whirl Edward around. It’s true enough he’s not a gifted dancer, but he gets plenty of points for effort.
And he’s smiling, so I’ll take that as a win.
There’re people taking selfies, and I even spotted a photographer lurking around the edges, probably taking shots destined for James’ Instagram to commemorate the night.
Out on the dance floor, I feel more free than I have in ages, letting myself go, and Edward’s all too happy to follow my lead. Eventually, James joins us, doing an impressive job of dancing his way through his guests.
“Might need some water,” Edward shouts in my ear. I nod at the bar, and James nods too, joining us. While Edward downs water, James and I get some more champagne.
“Feeling celebrated?” I shout in his ear.
“Yeah, totally. Here’s to twenty-five,” James declares, clinking glasses with us in turn, beaming. “Real adult shit now.”
I grin at him. “What, this was all fake adult shit before?”
“You don’t understand.” James shakes his head, giving me a meaningful look.
“My trust fund’s released on my twenty-fifth birthday, which is officially next week.
And I need to make good use of things—such as my life, say—and not fuck it up.
I’m third in the line of succession, after Auggie and Anne, so I got to make something of myself too. You’re not alone, Theo.”
“Right, okay,” I agree cheerfully. “No pressure, then. Advice: don’t follow my lead.”
“I can arrange a financial adviser for you if you don’t have someone lined up,” Edward offers. “I have an excellent one.”
“Please.” James gives him a grateful look. “I need all the help I can get.” He grins at us and puts his arms around our necks, champagne glass dangling from his fingers. “So, you boys having some fun tonight?”
“All in your honor,” I acknowledge, sipping my drink, then unfasten my bow tie and release a couple of buttons with my free hand. I grin.
“Good, good. I’m getting some photos,” James informs us cheerfully. “You’ll be on my socials.”
As I suspected. I nod, glancing at Edward, who nods too.
“Go fake kiss or something,” James encourages us conspiratorially. “That would seal the deal for authenticity. Let me get a photo.”
“I—”
“Er—”
Edward and I look at each other, both stopping short. He reddens. I give him a meaningful look while James fishes out his phone.
“Are you up for a kiss?” I ask Edward.
“It’s a bit forward, yes?” Edward tries.
I grin. “Yes. Well?”
“Okay, let’s try it.”
“I’m an excellent kisser,” I assure him, “or your money back, guaranteed.”
He laughs at that and nods. “I must admit I’m not used to kissing in front of an audience. It’s a little disconcerting.”
“There’s a first time for everything,” James declares. “Now, kiss! It’s your birthday gift to me.”
“I thought you asked for no gifts,” I drawl, glancing at James for a moment before focusing on Edward, holding his gaze for a long moment.
“I did. Except for this one,” James informs us.
I step forward, catching Edward’s jaw and giving him a light kiss. Even so, I can’t help but wish it were Stef.
“Thanks,” I murmur at last.
Edward’s flushed, his gaze fixed on me like we’re the only ones in the room.
“We might need to practice that again,” he offers.
I laugh and give another, better kiss, while James nods his approval.
“Perfect, got it.” James beams up at us, putting his phone away, and finishing his champagne in a long swallow. “I took a few. Thank you, gentlemen. Very sporting of you.”
“Don’t mention it,” I say cheerfully. But it feels disloyal to Stef. Even though we’re not dating. We’re not anything, I tell myself, because Stef’s been clear. And I’ve got a whole royal life in the spotlight ahead of me.
Then James slips off into the crowd after replacing his champagne. This time, I see Frankie across the room, and James is making a beeline for him. We watch with fascination.
“Relationship problems,” I explain to Edward. “Hopefully, they’re working things out.”
“Mm, yes. I understand.”
“Any relationship problems yourself?” I ask him.
Edward gazes at me for a long moment, almost like he sees through me. “Well, there was this viscount…” Then he shakes his head. “Water under the bridge, now. The proverbial one that got away.”
“Viscounts are like that, I hear.”
He laughs and bobs his head. “Evidently so. You?”
“Well… yeah. Problems.”
“Right, how could I forget. Your ex. Such a pity.”
“And a PITA too,” I grumble and don’t dare breathe a word about Stef to Edward, otherwise this will really go south in a hurry.
God, I wish Stef were here right now. The bittersweet feeling from earlier returns full force.
I clear my throat, studying my champagne.
There’s not enough left, so I down it, and as we’re conveniently by the bar, I get us both another round of champagne.
“More dancing?” Edward asks a moment later, seeming to sense my shift in mood again.
“Yeah.” I down my champagne quickly, and we head out again to dance.
I lose myself on the dance floor to the music, showing Edward some moves through the evening.
He makes a good effort to learn, and although I wouldn’t quite say he has rhythm, he’s doing an admirable job of picking things up.
I shut my eyes, dancing with my arms over my head, making myself remember this moment of freedom where no one is judging me or wanting much, and I can just be myself.
My days of fun and freedom are numbered.
Finally, Edward begs off again, and we retreat to the side of the dance floor. He looks wiped out, rumpled.
I rub my collarbone. “I think I might need to call it a night,” I tell him. “My apologies.”
“I understand. I might need to do the same,” Edward confesses. “I’ve discovered muscles in places where I hadn’t known muscles existed.”
We laugh, then study each other.
“I had fun with you tonight,” Edward admits. “I wasn’t sure what to expect.”
“Yeah, I get it. The rumors and all that about me.”
“Please, let me know if you would like to do this again. To help with your… situation.”
“I will,” I assure him, and we share a hug before I head out first. Checking my phone, it’s just past midnight. Respectable enough, I’d say, though James’ night’s probably just starting, knowing him.
When I reach my suite, I untuck my shirt and pour a generous whisky before flopping in a chair, rolling my head forward and rubbing the nape of my neck. My ears ring from the dance music, and right now, the silence feels deafening.
Finally, in the privacy of my room, I open his text, and I’m rewarded with a gorgeous, shirtless photo of Stef, leaning into the frame, with a mischievous smile that captures my full attention.
Fuck me.