Chapter 18
“Isobel?” Cress’s worried tone dragged my attention back to her. “Are you okay?”
I shook my head to clear the fog of uncertainty clouding my mind. “I’m just confused. When my father told me we were going to an event this evening, he said it was something to do with work. This is really Noah’s birthday?”
“Yep.” Her eyes were filled with sympathy. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I just didn’t think you’d want to talk about it.”
“It’s not your fault,” I said. “I just don’t get why my father would want to be here himself, let alone bring me and my mom.”
“I have no idea,” Cress agreed. “Maybe your dad is trying to make peace?”
“Maybe.” I didn’t share her optimism though. If Matthew had wanted to make peace with the Hastings family, why hadn’t he said anything to me? What if he was here for some other reason. What if he was here to get even.
“I need to talk to my dad,” I said.
“Okay, come find me if you need anything. I may be Noah’s cousin, but I am obviously team Isobel.”
“Thanks, Cress.”
She gave my arm a comforting pat, and I took a deep breath before turning to face my father. But as I looked at the bar where he’d been standing, I couldn’t see him. My mom wasn’t there either.
I took a few steps forward, searching the crowd, but I couldn’t see either one of my parents.
I glanced back at Cress, but she was already talking to some other guests.
I swallowed as another wave of nerves that felt a lot like nausea washed over me.
It was one thing to face a party like this alone but something else entirely knowing it was a Hastings party.
I was behind enemy lines with no backup.
I was starting to panic as I continued the unsuccessful search for my parents. They had to be here somewhere. I knew neither one of them would just leave without me. But I still felt completely vulnerable without them, and I desperately wanted answers from my father.
I decided to check back toward the entrance to the ballroom, but as I headed in that direction, I spotted Veronica walking into the room.
She looked the picture of ease as she waltzed inside.
Her mom walked on one side of her, and a handsome older man I assumed was her father was on her other side.
I was reminded of the secret I’d been keeping for her.
She’d begged me to stay quiet until after this weekend.
I had no idea why, but maybe it had something to do with Noah’s birthday.
I desperately wanted to ask her but, even though Veronica and I seemed to be getting on a little better recently, I didn’t really want to confront her with her parents around.
Especially when I was already feeling so on edge.
I started to backtrack and glanced around the room for a place to escape to.
As I scanned the ballroom, I was relieved to spot Luther.
He was disappearing through a wide set of French doors that looked as though they led onto an outdoor terrace.
He wasn’t Cress or my parents. He wasn’t even a friendly face at the moment, but Luther was only ignoring me at Noah’s request, so at least he was one person at this party who didn’t completely hate me.
I headed toward the open doors I’d seen Luther walk through and stepped out onto the large open roof terrace that had a beautiful view of the New York skyline. At least, it would have been beautiful if the sky was clear and the heavy clouds overhead weren’t promising a storm.
It was far less crowded out here with most people standing in pairs or small groups as they talked. The soft sound of the string ensemble floated outside from the ballroom, and it was a striking contrast to the chaotic sounds of traffic drifting up from the street far below.
Luther was alone, leaning on the wall of the balcony that overlooked the view.
As I left the protection of the ballroom and started across the terrace toward him, a few droplets of rain hit my skin.
Some of the guests outside glanced nervously up at the sky, but I was wasn’t going to let a few specks of rain force me back inside where who knew what was waiting for me.
“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised you’re here,” I said, as I joined Luther.
“Newbie?” He gasped when he turned to face me. I must have caught him by surprise because he’d reverted to calling me by my old nickname.
“I thought I was just Isobel to you now.”
“Right.” He cleared his throat before he continued. “What are you doing here, Isobel?”
“Apparently, I’m crashing my ex-boyfriend’s birthday party.”
“I see that. The question is why?”
“I’m trying to work that out myself,” I said. “I was hoping you might have some idea why my dad dragged me here.”
“Your father’s here too?”
“Yep.”
Luther shook his head. “Is he crazy? William’s going to lose his mind, and Noah won’t be happy either.”
I nodded, dreading to think how either Noah or his grandfather would react if they saw my father. And if they saw me. Last time Noah saw my dad, he’d punched him.
“I shouldn’t be seen speaking with you,” Luther said, quickly finishing the rest of his drink and placing it down on the nearest table.
“Seriously?” I scoffed. “I get that Noah doesn’t want you to be friends with me. But does that mean we can’t even talk?”
Luther gave me a sad smile. “Whatever you’re doing here, I hope you enjoy your night, Isobel.”
He hurried past me without looking me in the eye and made his way back into the ballroom.
“Traitor,” I muttered to myself before moving closer to the edge of the balcony.
I leant my arms on the wall and stared out at the Manhattan skyline.
The clouds were low this evening, and the bright lights of the buildings were barely visible in the fog that shrouded them.
There was no sign of the Empire State Building or my father’s name lighting up the sky.
Light drops of rain continued to fall, though they were coming in slightly faster.
It was clear it wasn’t just a passing shower and anyone else who was still outside on the terrace began to retreat inside.
I had no desire to return to the ballroom though.
There was too much uncertainty in there.
Too many surprises lying in wait. The rain seemed a far more acceptable foe.
At least I knew what to expect from the rain.
“You’re here.”
I struggled to stop a shiver running through me as I heard Noah’s voice behind me.
He sounded calm compared to Cress and Luther, who had both been shocked to see me.
I turned to face him. He was dressed in a tuxedo, looking as handsome as he always did.
Despite his formal outfit, his dark hair was still slightly messy, and his black bowtie was loose.
His face echoed his composed tone of voice.
He didn’t seem angry or surprised I was here.
If anything, he seemed glad. It felt like I was never going to understand this boy.
“Yep, I’m here,” I said. “I’m not sure why, but I’m here.”
“Well, I did invite you.”
“You what?” I frowned. “Why would you invite me? My father?”
Noah let out a sigh and glanced up at the clouds overhead. The rain was getting heavier, but he didn’t seem to care as he let it fall upon his face, run down his cheeks, and splash against his suit.
“Noah?”
He lowered his eyes to me once more, and they almost seemed to sparkle as the slightest smile curved his lips. “Will you dance with me?”
“What?”
He held out a hand toward me and repeated the question. “Will you dance with me?”
“Out here? In the rain?”
“I don’t see you running inside to escape it,” he said. “So, yes, out here, in the rain.”
“Noah…”
“It is my birthday, after all.”
“Your birthday was on Tuesday.”
“And yet you didn’t get me a gift…”
Obviously, I wasn’t going to get the guy who punched my father a birthday gift.
“Your girlfriend’s inside. Wouldn’t you rather dance with her?”
“It’s just a dance,” Noah replied. “I’m not asking you to marry me.”
The intensity with which he gazed at me made my cheeks grow warm, and I looked away.
“Besides, I don’t have a girlfriend,” he continued. “And I haven’t had one since you.”
My eyes darted back to his. “But I thought…”
“You thought wrong.”
I was struggling to breathe. Where had Noah’s scowls gone? Why had he and Veronica made everyone think they were together if they weren’t? But most of all, I wondered why his hand was still offered out to me. Why he wanted to dance with me so much when he’d wanted nothing to do with me for weeks.
“Aren’t you worried your grandfather will see us together?” I asked.
“I think you’ll be surprised by what does and does not worry me these days.” He drew in a breath. “Please dance with me?”
I could see how much he wanted this. I told myself that if I accepted his offer I might get one step closer to finding out what was going on. But I think a small part of me just wanted to dance with him too.
“Fine,” I said. “Just one dance.”
He smiled as he took hold of my hand and pulled me into his arms. It appeared I still had such little control when it came to Noah—even after everything he’d done.
We slowly rocked to the sound of the strings and the light tapping of raindrops against the tiled floor. Noah held me lightly, cradling me as if I were as delicate and fleeting as the mist clouding the buildings around us. Like I might disappear if he tried to grip me too tight.
“You never answered my question,” I said. “Why did you ask us here tonight?”
Noah opened his mouth to answer but then closed it again and shook his head. “It will be easier to explain later.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just trust me. It’ll all make sense soon.”
I let out a sigh and turned my head so I could look out at the view of New York. I should have known he wouldn’t give me the answers I wanted.