The Revealed by Jessica Hickam Read Free Book Online Page A

perfect moment to give me a good lecture. Thankfully, the guests begin to mumble and the crowd begins to shift.
    Rory comes up to my side, and I’m glad for her company. She’s holding a plate. It’s filled with the rillettetes amuse-bouche she was plating yesterday. “Lily, your mother—”
    Kai raises an eyebrow. “Rory?”
    Rory lowers the tray while she takes him in. Recognition filters through her eyes. “Kai? I can’t believe they invited you and your father here!”
    “You two know each other?” I can’t help but sharply add my two cents. This night is getting weirder by the second.
    “We met last weekend,” Kai says smoothly.
    “At that new club that I was telling you about,” Rory says, “called Frost.” She turns back to Kai. “I didn’t think you’d remember me.”
    “Of course. How could anyone forget that argument?” Kai laughs.
    “Argument? You got into an argument?” I’m glancing between the two of them. “Why didn’t you tell me about this? About him?” I sound more accusatory than I should.
    “Well, I wanted to, but your mom dragged you out of the kitchen before I had the chance,” Rory explains. “Anyways,” she says, turning to Kai, “Thanks again for covering that tab. I kept trying to explain to that guy that I had cash out in my car but he just wouldn’t let me leave to get it.” Rory turns back to me. “I even told him he could walk out there with me, but because I hadn’t paid my bill they wouldn’t let me out the door. They said I should call someone or something. I don’t know what I would have done if Kai hadn’t covered for me.” She glances back at Kai and adds, “By the way, I owe you nine dollars.”
    “No,” Kai says, waving her off, “no, you don’t. I told you that already the other day.”
    She shrugs. “Well, I really appreciate it. Kai Westerfield of all people, coming to my rescue. Who would have thought?”
    I know my face is twisted into a mix of shock and disapproval. Not a flattering expression, but I can’t wipe it away. Kai and Rory? And Rory is actually acting like she likes this dude. No way. No way! Sure Kai Westerfield is charming, but I can’t believe that Rory of all people is buying it. Everyone knows he’s a playboy. And Rory knows the history between Kai and me.
    Soft string music plays in the background as some people dance and other groups of people around the room talk, keeping the noise level even.
    I find my father in the crowd. A glass of champagne in his hand, and he’s laughing. A grin spread wide across his face as he talks to Roderick Westerfield. And it isn’t his politician grin. It’s his real one. The one that makes him look like a dad. My dad. During the days of backyard barbecues and summer nights. Sure, Westerfield is my father’s competition and rival, but I sometimes forget there was a time when they were good friends. It dawns on me that the nostalgia must mean something to my father. There must be some part of Roderick Westerfield that my father still feels he understands. Well, I’m not clouded in my judgment of Westerfield. I don’t trust him, and I don’t like him.
    No one else is unsettled. They have all gone back to their business.
    Just like Kai said. We dance. The media gets their pictures. We all go home happy.
    Except I’m not happy right now. Is this—my eyes drift up and down Kai’s frame—what Rory meant when she said she met someone new last weekend? The idea makes me angry. She shouldn’t be going after someone like … him. I’ve told her all about Kai. I told her what he said about me. She’s my best friend. Shouldn’t she be on my side?
    Kai catches me watching him, and I curtly turn my gaze to Rory.
    Kai’s always flaunting around, making these big spectacles at events, smiling and acting like such the confident hero. Cocky, if you ask me. Girls swoon over him, and he eats it up. Did she say he came to her rescue? She should know better. It wasn’t to defend her honor