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Carter grinned. “See? Too classy for a regular beer.”

  How sad was it that a complete stranger knew what I liked better than I did?

  “Of course someone as sweet as you would prefer those. You up for a dance tonight?”

  “Which one is that?” I sipped the drink, hoping it would relax my nerves.

  Carter leaned closer. “You can come as my guest. It’s a really private, exclusive club. It’s called the Jag.”

  I nearly choked on the drink. The Jag? Like my car was a Jaguar?

  “Are you okay?” Carter’s eyes widened.

  “Started to go down the wrong way. I’m fine.” I cleared my throat.

  “Do you want to go with me?”

  The club’s name might have been a coincidence, but I had to find out. “I’d love to.”

  He smiled, leaned back, and sipped his beer. “Awesome. I thought I might have to go stag, but now I get to accompany the most beautiful girl in town.”

  My face flushed with heat. “What time? What should I wear?”

  “I’ll pick you up at seven. Wear the nicest dress you have. Like I said, it’s very exclusive.” He held my gaze.

  “Mind my asking how you got in?”

  Carter glanced to the side, a slight frown appearing. “My dad owns the place.”

  I stared at him, trying to put it all together. “Your dad?”

  “Now you see why an art degree wouldn’t fly. I pretty much have to choose business—or something closely related. As the oldest son, it’s expected that I’ll take it over.”

  “That seems…” I searched for the right word.

  “Old school?”

  “Yeah.” I set my empty bottle on the ground.

  “It is, but our family goes way back.”

  “But can’t you just, I don’t know, do what you want?” I asked.

  “Then I’d have to start over with nothing. Dad won’t just cut me off from finances, he’ll find a way to make sure I can’t get a job any higher than a janitor at a poop farm.”

  “Poop farm?” I laughed.

  He shrugged.

  “I’ve heard working there really sucks. Especially for the janitors.”

  The corners of his mouth twitched. “You get my point.”

  “Basically, he has the power to blackball you, no matter where you go?”

  “Yep.”

  “That’s harsh.”

  “It is what it is. So, you’ll be ready at seven?” He rose and took my empty plate from me.

  “Ten minutes early.” I smiled.

  “Perfect.” He threw the trash away and then came back. “I’m actually looking forward to the party tonight. Thank you.”

  “No, thank you. It sounds like quite the opportunity.”

  “I guarantee all your friends will be jealous. Well, I have to get going. See you tonight.”

  “Wait.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Don’t you want to exchange numbers?”

  He twisted a silver ring on his middle finger and his expression tightened. “Right. Of course.” He pulled out his phone from his back pocket. The case appeared to be gold plated. He slid his finger around the screen. “What’s your number?”

  Feeling stupid, I pulled out mine and went into my contact list to find my number. I told him, and a few moments later, my phone rang. “Got it.”

  “Awesome. See you in a few hours.”

  “A few?” I exclaimed.

  He glanced at the screen. “Okay, five.”

  “See you then.” I leaned back and sighed. For someone with no past, things were working out pretty well. I had a date with a gorgeous guy at an exclusive club.

  With nothing remotely close to nice enough to wear.

  Sasha sat in the chair Carter had been in. “Who was the hottie?”

  “Apparently my date tonight.”

  She squealed. “Where to?”

  “Somewhere called the Jag. I’m going to need to get a formal dress.”

  Her eyes lit up. “Shopping trip!” She pulled me up to standing. We went up to our room to grab our purses and then headed for her car. She rattled on about parties and dances coming up. I wasn’t sure how we’d fit any studying or sleeping into our schedules with so many social activities.

  It was nice to have something else to focus on other than my past—or lack thereof.

  I had a blast trying on dresses. Sasha and I snapped pictures of each other in all the ones we liked. I ended up choosing a floor-length teal one with straps that criss-crossed in the back and a shimmery bodice.

  “You’re sickeningly beautiful,” Sasha said.

  “Uh, thanks?”

  She nudged me and snickered. “That’s a compliment.”

  “Then you’re sickeningly stunning.”

  Sasha beamed. “You’re the best. What did you think of that white dress on me?”

  “The one with the lace?” I asked and went back into my dressing room.

  “Yeah. Did it look too much like a wedding dress?”

  “Not at all.”

  “I’m going to get it. I heard the sororities host formal dances all the time. We can pretend to be potential recruits.”

  “Sounds like fun,” I agreed. “As long as there aren’t any initiations involved.”

  “During a dance?” The door closed in the next dressing room. “If that happens, we’ll hightail out of there.”

  “Okay. I may as well get as much use out of this dress as possible for what it costs.”

  When we got back home, the backyard was even more crowded. Landon came in and washed his hands as we passed the kitchen.

  He glanced at me. “I saw you talking to Carter Jag.”

  I stumbled into Sasha, unable to believe what I’d just heard. “What did you say?”

  Landon’s brows squished together. “I saw you talking with Carter Jag earlier.”

  I gasped for air. His last name was Jag?

  Heart thundering, I stared between the two of them. The room spun. I took a deep breath to keep from running out of the room.

  Chapter 3

  “Yeah,” Landon said. “His family owns—”

  “The Jag.” I leaned against the wall for support.

  What was the deal with jaguars showing up everywhere?

  “Right. He and all the super-rich kids always hang out together. I’ve never seen him at any of my parties. In fact, I can’t say I’ve even seen him talking to any of my friends.”

  I swallowed. “Interesting. He probably doesn’t invite people to parties at the Jag, either, does he?”

  Landon’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head. “Did he…?”

  “He’s picking me up at seven.” I bit my lower lip.

  “Really?” Landon stepped closer to me. “Get pictures. Lots of ‘em.”

  “Okay.”

  “No, I’m serious. There are so many rumors about that place, but I’ve never seen so much as a picture of the inside. No one else has that I know of, either.”

  Sasha stared at me. “How’d you manage to get into the most exclusive place on the peninsula?”

  “You’ve got me. Carter just invited me.”

  “Find out if he has any brothers.”

  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “He said he’s the oldest brother.”

  She grabbed my arm. “Come on. We’ve got to get you ready.”

  “Right.” I opened my eyes and followed her upstairs, lost in thought. How could a girl with no past find herself with an invite to the Jag? Unless it was some cosmic joke. Either it was, or going there would shed some light on what was going on.

  There were too many jaguar references for it to be a coincidence.

  Once in our room, Sasha pulled out her phone and scrolled around the screen. “There’s a makeup tutorial we’ve got to follow. You’re going to be so hot, you’ll set the place on fire.”

  I shook my head.

  “Here it is. What do you think of the look?” She showed me the screen. The girl in the video
looked like she belonged on the red carpet.

  “Gorgeous,” I whispered.

  “Wash your face while I get this video set up on my laptop.”

  “Okay.” I trudged into the bathroom, still trying to pull my thoughts together. Nothing made sense.

  When I came out, Sasha was swearing at her computer.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “Stupid thing won’t start.” She chucked it on her bed. “I’m going to have to get a new one. Can we use yours?”

  “Sure.” I found the backpack where I’d seen it while unpacking and set it on Sasha’s dresser, closest to the vanity. When it powered on, I nearly passed out.

  The desktop image was a jaguar lounging in a tree.

  “Don’t just stand there,” Sasha said. “Open your browser.”

  “Of course.” I shook my head to clear my thoughts. It didn’t work.

  I opened the browser and Sasha found the video. “Sit. I’ve got work to do.”

  “Should I get the dress on first?”

  “And risk spilling something on it? No way.” She guided me to the vanity and got to work.

  I let my mind wander as she followed the video and chatted excitedly about my date. It was impossible to piece everything together when the majority of the puzzle was missing. I really hoped Carter and the club would offer something—even a small clue would help.

  Jaguars obviously meant something, but what?

  “Done,” Sasha said, interrupting my thoughts.

  “That was fast.”

  “Because you were in your own world,” she teased. “Daydreaming about Carter?”

  “You caught me.” I sighed.

  “Hang onto that one.”

  “I’ll try.”

  “You gotta get me in. I’m dying to see the club now. What do you think?”

  I studied my reflection, barely recognizing myself. “Wow. You should become a makeup artist.”

  She scrunched her face. “My mom would love that. She and my aunt own a beauty parlor in the Bronx.”

  “You don’t want to carry on the business?”

  “Not back home. Maybe in the city or something—if I even choose that route. Maybe my creative writing class this quarter will send me in a whole new direction.”

  I turned back to the mirror. “You definitely have a talent with this.”

  “Meh. I can use it on my daughters.”

  “You have children?” I teased.

  “I’m going to have five. All girls.”

  “Really?” I tugged at my hair, trying to figure out what to do with it. “Does your future husband know?”

  “It’s going to be his idea.” She winked. “Do you want your hair up or down?”

  “What do you think?”

  She closed out the video and brought up a ton of hair images. “It’s up to you, darling.”

  I scrolled through the pictures while she looked at herself in the mirror. “I’m going to have to get my braids done again.” She sighed dramatically.

  “Why not go natural?”

  Sasha laughed and fell on her bed. “That’s funny.”

  “Why?”

  “I’ll have an afro that’ll reach to the ceiling.”

  “Can’t you just straighten it?” I asked.

  “Promise me you’ll never go into the hair industry.”

  I turned away, embarrassed. “Why not?”

  “Do you know how long straightening locks like mine would take? I don’t have time for that. Braids. Then I don’t have to worry about my hair every single morning.”

  “If you say so. Back to my hair. What should we do with it tonight?”

  She studied my hair, holding it out and rubbing it between her fingers. “It’s nice and thick with a great texture. We can do a lot.” She leaned over, glanced at the screen, and pointed to a wavy style with half the hair in a loose bun at the base of the head. “That would look so beautiful on you.”

  “You don’t think it would cover the straps in the back?”

  Sasha pursed her lips. “Hmm. Good point, but you could pull half of it over the front. Best of both worlds, don’t you think?”

  “Yeah, that might work.”

  “We’ll try it, and if it doesn’t work, I’ll do an updo.”

  She got to work, and before long, my phone buzzed.

  “It’s Carter.” Blood drained from my head.

  “We’d better get that dress on you!”

  I accepted the call. “Hi, Carter, I’ll be right down.”

  “I’ll be waiting.” His voice was so smooth it made it easy to picture him in a tux.

  The call ended. I put my phone down and squealed.

  Smiling, Sasha pulled my dress out of the bag and unzipped it. “Step inside.”

  I did and she zipped it back up.

  She stepped back and looked me over. “You could be on the cover of Glamour magazine.”

  Curious, I went into the bathroom and looked in the full-length mirror. My mouth gaped. Though I wasn’t sure what to expect at the exclusive party, I was sure I wouldn’t have any trouble fitting in.

  “Come on,” Sasha called. “Can’t leave that hot guy waiting.”

  I hurried out, slid on my new, sparkly silver pumps, and grabbed my purse.

  “You can’t take that,” Sasha exclaimed.

  “Why not?”

  She rolled her eyes. “You’ve got to be kidding me. It’s a good thing you have me.” She went into her closet and pulled out a tiny sparkly clutch.

  “Will my phone even fit in there?”

  “Of course. That and your wallet and a few makeup items. All you need for a date.”

  “You’re the expert.” I dumped the contents of my purse onto my bed and stuffed what I could into the miniature bag.

  Sasha gave me a once-over. “Girl, you’re going to be the best looking one in the place.”

  “Stop.” But I couldn’t help beaming. “Do you really think so?”

  “Of course. If I was your mom, I’d be taking a million pictures right now. Wait, gimme your camera. I’ll take some so you can send them to her.”

  My chest constricted. Maybe one day I could.

  “Hand it over.”

  Fumbling, I pulled it out of the clutch.

  She grabbed my phone and held it up. “Say cheese.”

  I forced a smile, feeling the start of a lump in my throat.

  The flash shone a couple times and Sasha studied the screen. “Perfect.”

  “Come on, we’ve made Carter wait long enough.”

  My knees felt weak. I reached for my phone.

  She shook her head. “I’ll need pictures of the two of you.”

  I couldn’t argue with that.

  We headed downstairs. I could hear Carter before I saw him. He was discussing baseball with Landon. We came into the kitchen.

  Carter had his back to us, but Landon looked at me and whistled. “Lookin’ good, roomie.”

  Sasha pushed me closer to the guys. “I know, right? Makes me want to go out somewhere fancy.”

  Carter turned around and our gazes met. His hair was slicked back and he was even more gorgeous in a tux. I almost dropped the handbag.

  “You look beautiful.” He picked up a plastic box from the table, pulled out a corsage with white roses, and slid it onto my wrist.

  “Stand over by the wall,” Sasha directed. “Picture time.”

  Carter flashed me a handsome smile and put his arm around my shoulders. We stood where Sasha pointed, in front of an empty wall.

  She snapped a few pictures and handed me my phone. “I’m so jealous.”

  I glanced down at the image on the screen. We did look great—he was gorgeous and I barely recognized myself. I slid the phone into the clutch. “I’m sorry it took me a little longer to get ready than I thought.”

  “Not a problem. You were well worth the wait.”

  Sasha raised her brows. “See?” she mouthed. Then she turned to Carter. “Have fun, you two
. Bring her back by midnight.”

  “What?”

  “I’m kidding!” She laughed and grabbed my arm. “I want to hear everything when you get back.”

  Maybe I didn’t need a mom with Sasha as my roommate. “Sure.”

  Sounds of shattering glass came from the backyard.

  Landon groaned. “I better get out there. Things are starting to get rowdy. See you guys!”

  I gave a little wave and Carter, who still had his arm around me, led me toward the front door.

  Sasha caught my gaze and gave me a thumbs-up. I smiled, my heart thundering in my chest.

  “Is your friend always like that?” Carter asked and chuckled.

  “I’m not really sure. We just met a couple days ago.”

  “Right. Well, it’s nice to have someone who cares.”

  I couldn’t deny that.

  He stopped in front of a cherry-red Ferrari and unlocked it with a remote.

  My mouth nearly dropped to the ground. Next to his car, my black Jaguar seemed like a run-of-the-mill sedan.

  Carter removed his arm from my shoulders and opened the passenger door. “M’lady.”

  I hurried over and climbed in. It smelled of leather, and I sank into the super-comfortable seat. It was so soft and supple and conformed to me as I sank in. It relaxed me, and almost made me forget my troubles—much in the same way Carter did.

  He got into the driver’s seat and started the engine. It purred like a kitten. He turned to me, a devious smile on his face. “Wanna see how fast she can go?”

  My eyes lit up. “Yeah, of course.”

  “Once we get off the main road, we’ll have a nearly straight shot to the Jag. I’ll show you there.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  He turned on the music, and the same song played as on my phone when I received a call.

  “You okay?” He pulled out of the parking spot.

  “It, uh… I was just listening to that song earlier.”

  Carter tapped his temple. “Great minds.” He pulled out onto the main road.

  Every other car slowed for him. Quite a few pulled out phones and snapped pictures.

  “Is it always like this?”

  “Yeah, especially at the beginning of the year. Give ‘em a few weeks, and everyone will be used to seeing her around.” He pulled off the main road. “You ready to see what she can do?”

  I hoped so. “Let’s see.”

  Carter punched the gas, sending the back of my head into the headrest. Everything outside seemed to pass in a shapeless blur.