Forty-Two
By the time they slipped back into the reception, the final course was being served.
Nancy strode ahead without a glance, her back stiff with tension. Ari followed at a slower pace, rolling her shoulders, trying to shake off the frustration clawing at her.
They had spent all day trying to get this damn necklace back. All day sneaking around like idiots, getting closer in the process. And just for a moment, they’d had everything.
Everything.
And now, Nancy was angry about it.
Ari dropped into her seat beside her, her movements deliberately slow, deliberately casual. Neither of them spoke.
Around them, the reception was easing into the chaos of the night. Wine poured freely, laughter rolling through the candlelit room.
But at their table, the silence stretched taut.
Ari picked up her fork and took a bite of the delicate, artfully plated dessert that awaited her. She needed the calories after all the fighting and kissing. Suddenly, she felt Nancy’s eyes on her.
Ari didn’t react. She took another bite, lazily dragging her spoon through the last swirl of sauce, waiting for Nancy to speak.
‘You’re wearing it.’
Ari arched a brow. ‘Hmm?’
Nancy’s fingers gripped the white tablecloth. ‘Are you kidding me?’
Ari reached up, letting her fingertips brush over the delicate chain she’d slid on as they walked through the hall. ‘What?’
‘After everything—’ Nancy exhaled sharply, shaking her head. ‘You put it on?’
Ari threw her a light grin. ‘Wouldn’t want it to get lost again.’
Nancy looked at her as if she’d never seen her before. ‘You are unbelievable.’
Ari leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. ‘I’ve spent years waiting to get it back. Now I’m gonna do whatever the hell I like with it.’
Nancy’s jaw clenched. ‘You’re not this stupid. I know you’re not.’
‘Because you wouldn’t do this?’ Ari tilted her head. ‘Well, I’m not you, Nancy. When I get what I want, I know what to do with it.’
Nancy’s lips parted, but no words came out.
Ari was satisfied with the reaction, if not exactly happy.
Nancy swallowed hard, her voice quieter now. ‘You know Paris will notice.’
Ari shrugged, settling back in her chair. ‘Let her.’
Nancy let out a rough exhale. ‘You just love causing trouble, don’t you?’
‘Only when it’s fun.’ Ari let her knee nudge against Nancy’s under the table, watching the flicker of reaction in her eyes.
Nancy looked away, her hands tightening in her lap. ‘You’re taking this risk for no reason. And I helped you, Ari. I wanted this for you.’
Ari felt her mask slip. ‘I know that.’
Nancy’s expression softened ever so slightly. For some reason, that made Ari feel worse.
‘You know what?’ Ari pushed back from the table, chair scraping against the floor. ‘I need a drink.’
Nancy didn’t stop her.
She knew why she’d put the necklace on. It was a fuck you to Nancy. Because she was hurt. And shocked by that hurt. Somewhere in the middle of that kiss, she’d wondered if it could be the start of something. Because Ari wanted Nancy. Deeply. Of course she did.
Nancy was the only person she’d ever been able to trust. It didn’t matter if she worked for her. You couldn’t buy what they had. Ari was realising that, more and more.
And now they’d kissed, and Nancy was angry with her. Ari didn’t know what to think. She only knew that while they’d kissed, everything had felt so fucking right.
But it was the beginning and the end, it seemed. Because Nancy, very clearly, did not feel the same. She thought Ari was a child who didn’t know how to handle delicate things. Necklaces, love, whatever.
Doesn’t matter. Ari rolled her shoulders back, smoothing the irritation from her expression as she weaved through the crowd towards the bar. It was a wedding, after all. Drinks were free, and she fully intended to take advantage.
She was halfway there when she bumped—hard—into someone.
‘Oh, for—’ Ari stepped back. Her words cut off as she looked up.
Paris.
Her sharp, perfect features twisted in slow realisation, her gaze dropping to the delicate chain around Ari’s neck.
‘You didn’t,’ Paris said, voice dripping venom.
Ari smirked. ‘Surprise.’
Paris’s nostrils flared. ‘You stole that from me.’
‘Oh, I stole it?’ Ari let out a short, incredulous laugh. ‘Bit rich coming from you, babe.’
Paris’s eyes darkened. ‘You absolute little—’
Before she could finish that thought, she lunged. Ari barely had time to react before Paris’s hand curled around the chain and yanked.
The thin clasp bit into the back of Ari’s neck. For a moment, she thought it might hold, but then—
Snap. The chain broke.
Paris stumbled back, triumphant, the necklace clutched in her fist.
‘Oh, you’ve done it now,’ Ari muttered.
Paris barely had time to laugh before Ari surged forward.
The next few moments were a blur. Hands grabbing, a stumble, the crash of a champagne flute hitting the floor. A gasp rippled through the crowd as tables jostled, cutlery clattering against plates.
‘What the hell is going on?’ a voice cut through the noise.
Nancy.
Ari twisted in time to see Nancy shoving her way through the onlookers, her expression shifting from annoyance to horror in real time.
Paris, ever the picture of elegance, straightened her dress and tossed her hair back, lifting the broken necklace in display to the room. ‘There’s been a crime!’
Nancy groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. ‘Oh, for fuck’s sake.’
‘No, you know what?’ Ari said, straightening her dress. ‘Let’s talk about who the thief really is here, hmm?’
Paris’s lips curled. ‘Yes, we all know I stole your heart. Get over it. I have.’
‘Oh, sweetheart,’ Ari purred. ‘You wish you still had that effect on me.’
Nancy grabbed Ari’s wrist before she could get any closer, her grip firm. ‘Do not start a brawl at this wedding.’
Ari turned to her, arching a brow. ‘Wouldn’t be starting one, technically.’
Paris scoffed. ‘Grow up, Ari.’
Ari’s jaw tightened, but before she could retaliate, someone new approached.
‘Why,’ said a voice, ‘is there shouting?’
All three of them turned. Helen was among them. ‘Anyone care to explain?’ she asked.
Silence.
Ari flicked her gaze to Nancy, who was now looking like she very much wanted the ground to swallow her whole. She had turned her body away from Helen, trying to hide in plain sight.
Ari, for her part, was starting to think this was hilarious. She smiled, slow and wicked.
‘Well, funny story…’
And then a pair of hands grabbed her.