It had been fun, concealing her identity thus far, but she was curious about him. She wasn’t ready to tell him about Harmony yet. She needed to be secure in their relationship before she let him know that she was in high school…or that she was only seventeen. Small, minor details for later.

“So, we can start out slow and figure this thing out as we go,” he suggested.

“I think I’d like that.”

“I thought this could be the beginning of slow,” he said with a wink. He produced a flat square Tiffany’s box from his jacket pocket and slid it across the table.

Bryna slowly reached forward and took the box in her hand. This is slow?

“If Tiffany’s and Cartier are slow, what is fast going to be? A private jet and a weekend in Saint Barts?”

He chuckled and gestured for her to open it. “I like to give gifts, and since you obviously love the earrings I got you”—her hand went to the diamond earrings in her ears—“I wanted to get you something to match.”

Bryna slid the white ribbon off the box and lifted the lid. Inside was a slim bangle with inlaid diamonds. It was so perfect and elegant. She slipped it onto her wrist and stared at the way it glittered and sparkled in the light. Completely classic and timeless, she could wear it with anything.

“I love it.”

“Good.” Jude reached across the table and took her hand in his. He gently ran his thumb across her wrist where the bangle rested, taking in all the diamonds shining from the jewelry he had bought her.

Shortly afterward, their food arrived. They ate while chatting about their shared love of sports cars and college football. Bryna didn’t tell him why she loved Las Vegas State so much or that she hadn’t gone there, but it didn’t stop her from giving him shit about the fact that he had graduated from their biggest rival, University of Southern California.

After they finished their bottle of wine, Jude paid the check, and they were on their way out the door to return to his place.

A woman called out from a table near the door, “Bri!”

Bryna stopped and turned to face the woman. She silently prayed it wasn’t anyone from Harmony. That would be a tough fucking thing to explain away. When she got a glimpse of the person, she realized that she didn’t recognize the stranger at all. How the hell does this person know me?

“Hey!” Bryna said with false enthusiasm.

The woman stood and gave her a hug. “I haven’t seen you in forever.”

“Yeah, I’ve been so swamped.”

“I heard about you and—” She stopped, looked up at Jude, and then bit her lip. “Well, I see you’ve moved on.”

Bryna shrugged noncommittally. So, this woman knew her through Gates. At least she had stopped herself from saying his name. How many Gates are there in the city?

“Anyway, so good to see you again. Next time you’re out, stop by the club.” She stuffed a business card into Bryna’s hand. “Bring your new boyfriend, too. I’m sure Max will put you on the list.”

Max was a promoter friend of Bryna’s who would get her into all the hottest nightclubs. Bryna glanced down at the woman’s card. Dee Zion. No recognition. Must just be a club promoter. Phew!

“Will do, Dee. Thanks,” Bryna said before leaving her behind.

Jude looked at her questioningly as they waited for the valet to bring around his car. “Who was that?”

“Honestly, I have no clue.”

“She clearly knew you.”

Bryna shrugged. “That happens sometimes.”

He narrowed his eyes and seemed to assess her. “You know, when we first met, I thought you looked familiar.”

“I get that a lot, too.”

“You aren’t some hot model or actress I should know about who will make me feel stupid for not recognizing earlier, are you?”

“Why? Because I wear nice shoes and always carry my passport?” she joked.

“Oh, fuck. You are, aren’t you?”

He actually looked a little afraid for a second before she broke down laughing.

“No. I’m not a model or actress. I’m just me, and that’s good enough for the attention.”

“Good enough for me, too,” he said, opening the car door when it rolled up and helping her inside.

“YES, MRS. MATHISON, I completely understand the amount of work it would take to lead the Pink Charity Benefit for Harmony. But I also know that I am exactly the girl for the job.”

“I believe you, Bryna,” Mrs. Mathison said, leaning back in her desk chair. “I just wanted to be sure. I know that your extracurricular schedule is already full, and the Pink Charity Benefit is Harmony’s biggest philanthropy event of the year.”

Bryna smiled sweetly as she uncrossed and crossed her legs. “I am always willing to take on more to further my charitable contribution. I hardly consider it work at all.”

Running the largest benefit of the year would look stellar on her college applications, and she wanted to make sure everything would be in place for her. Not to mention, it would help her bid into society. This was the most coveted position at Harmony Prep!

“Well, I will have to look through the remaining applications, of course.” Mrs. Mathison looked down at the large stack on her desk and then back at Bryna. “But I am sure you are a perfect fit. Our distinguished alumnus, Felicity Rose, will be heading the committee this year. I’ll forward your application to her, and she will be in contact over the break.”

“Thank you so much.” Bryna stood and shook her teacher’s hand.

“No. Thank you for all of your hard work.”

She smiled brightly and then exited the room. Avery and Tara were seated in the hallway beside another cheerleader, Jemma.

“Glad that’s all cleared away,” Bryna said¸ clasping her hands behind her back. “Mrs. Mathison chose me to head the Pink Charity Benefit. Dream come true.”

“Oh my God,” Avery squealed.

“That’s amazing!” Tara said.

“How could she have already picked you?” Jemma asked. “The applications were due yesterday. First round of interviews are supposed to be this afternoon.”

Bryna shrugged. “Not my problem. Don’t worry though. I’ll save spaces for you all to be my assistants.”

She brushed past the girls without a second thought. She was queen. Of course she was chair the committee. To think anyone else really had a shot was laughable.

She headed to the cheer room for practice after school. The other girls wouldn’t get there until after they spoke with Mrs. Mathison, which would give Bryna time to speak with Coach Baker.

Bryna knocked on the door to the cheerleading coach’s office. “You wanted to see me?”

“Yes, Bryna. How was your interview with Mrs. Mathison?”

“I got the lead spot for the Pink Charity Benefit,” she said proudly.

“That’s good to hear.” Coach Baker ran her hand back through her blonde bob and smiled. “I just wanted to discuss with you something that was brought to my attention this past weekend. Please take a seat.”

Bryna wasn’t sure what this was about, but by the look on her coach’s face, she wasn’t going to like it. She plopped down across from Coach Baker and waited.

“It was unfortunate that you had to miss the game this past weekend. I recently heard that you weren’t absent due to illness, however, and I wanted to see what you had to say about it.” Coach Baker shifted uncomfortably. She was a petite woman who truly cared for the girls who cheered for her. She likely hated having this conversation more than Bryna.

Bryna’s eyebrows rose. “What I have to say? I was in bed all night and could barely move.”

Coach Baker sighed. “I want to believe you, Bryna. I was told that you weren’t home all night, and you were, in fact, out on a date.”