#Chapter 42: Commitment

Kayla Nicholas and I made our way into the banquet hall, pausing briefly in the entryway to take in the space. It was a large but cozy venue, with round tables scattered throughout and a stage at the far end of the room. A band was playing covers of popular songs, and people were dancing and laughing. I recognized the birthday girl immediately from her tiara and pink sash. But for a brief moment, I felt every set of eyes in the room flick toward us like we were the true talk of the evening and not the birthday girl herself. And I knew it wasn’t all in my head when some gazes lingered, whispers following us. Nicholas guided me to our assigned table, leading me along like his pet. He was his usual composed self, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back, but I felt like an insect under a microscope. “Relax,” he murmured, leaning in so I could hear him over the pounding bass. “You look like you want to curl up and die.” I shot him a sideways glance. “D