City Secrets Read Online Free Page A

do and how to handle, well,
everything
. Paige,a true Manhattan girl, had been to every type of soirée from the Lower East Side to SoHo and she’d know exactly what to do at a fancy dinner. I sighed and slid out of my clothes, picking up Heather’s dress. I didn’t want to be thinking about Paige or wishing she were here. I wanted her to apologize for our fight at the Homecoming dance.
But she’d tried that night and you didn’t let her,
I told myself.
    I slipped into Heather’s dress and vowed to stop thinking about Paige.
    I looked in the mirror and ran my hands over the blue fabric, smoothing the dress. My hair had started to get a little wavy, so I spent extra time flat-ironing it. It felt like I was getting ready for an important Canterwood dance or something. I hadn’t put on much makeup this morning because I’d been in a hurry to get out of my dorm room . . . and away from Jacob, Eric, Callie, and all the discomfort at school.
    I washed my face and started over with my makeup. I dotted concealer under my eyes, put on a light coat of dark brown mascara, dusted NARS blush across my cheeks, and applied a coat of Bonne Bell Lip Glam in Iced Pomegranate. It was pink, but not too bright, and had just a hint of sparkle. I didn’t think Heather’s parents wouldbe impressed if I showed up for dinner wearing lots of makeup.
    I stayed in the bathroom as long as I could, taking twice the amount of time I usually spent on hair and makeup, but still looking the same as I always did.
    Just go out there, already.
It wasn’t time for dinner yet and maybe being around Heather would make me less nervous. I left the bathroom, put my clothes in a neat pile on top of my suitcase, and put on a pair of small, silver hoop earrings before wandering back to Heather’s room.
    â€œHey,” I said as I walked inside.
    Heather looked me up and down, nodding in approval. “That actually looks good on you.”
    â€œGee, thanks.” I sat at the end of her bed.
    Heather had changed into a royal purple cocktail dress and had paired it with a gold drop necklace that warmed her skin tone. She walked over to one of the chairs facing the balcony and turned it toward me when she sat down.
    â€œJust because I don’t want you to embarrass me at dinner, I’m going to give you the rundown on how it’s going to go, ’kay?” Heather asked.
    I nodded. “Okay.” My voice was squeaky.
    Heather took a breath and held up a manicured finger. “First, my dad has sworn he’ll make it to dinner on time.He knows my mom
hates
it when he’s late. But guess what? He’s, like, never home before ten. So Mom will already be in a bad mood before dinner starts because she’s going to make us wait for him.”
    â€œMaybe your dad will call and tell her he’s going to be late,” I said.
    Heather closed her eyes, rubbing her forehead. “That’s not my dad’s style. He comes home when he wants. Half the time Mom isn’t here anyway. Whatever—it doesn’t even matter.”
    â€œSorry,” I said quietly.
    Heather glared at me. “Puh-lease. Waste your sympathy on someone who needs it. I’m just telling you this so you know what to expect.”
    â€œRight. Totally.”
    Heather played with her necklace. “So while we’re waiting for Dad, my mom will tell endless stories about how she was a Canterwood legacy and how
I
should be doing as many social activities as I can besides riding. You know, to keep up the good family name.”
    I wanted to ask Heather why her mom didn’t care that her daughter was happy as a rider, but I didn’t want Heather to stop dispensing advice.
    â€œThe last thing to know,” Heather said, “is that mymom is going to . . .” She paused for a second. “She’s going to, well, try to make you feel exactly like I did when you first came to Canterwood.”
    I