#Chapter 18: Out of Place at the Party

"What are you doing?" I asked flustered, my face warm. I kept my voice low as Lionel's arms were wrapped around my waist. It was one thing for him to do this sort of thing when it was just us or the girls, but I couldn't believe he was acting this way when we were around so many other important people. I tried to calm my racing heart down. "Your belt is loose." Lionel responded, shortly. He finished untied the fabric belt around my waist, tightening it around me and retying it into a neat bow. He stepped back, his hand lingering along my waist. "Sorry if I was too close." He smiled politely. I was about to respond to him when I saw Cora standing a bit behind Lionel. She was watching us intently with a glare. Her face was contorted in a jealous sneer. I opened my mouth to say something to Lionel, but before I had the chance to, a crash sounded out through the room as Cora pushed a dessert table over. A few small plate with food crashed to the floor, some of the plates breakin