Chapter
Thirty-three
The
Truth About Rys Wickam
Mackenzie’s pool party was in full swing by
midnight. Her publicist and all the paparazzi had left the premises. Paige was
starting to think the Mack and Darcy relationship was fake by the time she got
the tip off from Wednesday – bringing Darcy down a bit further in her
estimation. She’d noticed they only
kissed or smiled when other people were looking or photographs were being
taken.
Outside, in the cooler air, the infinity pool
was lit with colored lights and people were playing games and blowing whistles
and dancing on the patio.
Bingley and Shiloh, oblivious to the other
joys that surrounded them, were talking between tentative dance moves. Paige
was being monopolized by Rys. Darcy had noticed this in between being
constantly monopolized by Mackenzie Bingley and each of the Princesses who
asked him in turn if he wanted to party.
Mackenzie finally dragged him on to the
dance floor, whispering, “so uptight neighbor. I think it’s time to get your
freak on Darcy,” when she was sure all the other Princesses were in full view.
Darcy shrugged her off when the song
finished. He noticed Rys and Paige dancing on the other side of the dance floor
and wondered if he should ignore them or take the high road.
By the next song, Darcy thought, perhaps it’s time to take a moment and
make her notice me.
He had the cool factor, he definitely had
the hotness. Even Paige, who looked up from her discussion with Rys, noticed
it. The chandeliers and lava lamps glimmered and the party music seemed to be
noticeably louder, even the lights had been softened along with the DJ’s
rendition of a slow eighties lurvve ballad. Everyone was mellow as Darcy made
his way through the crowd, interrupting Paige’s conversation with Coco.
“So then he said, ‘I haven’t seen any
good looking girls since I got here… Honestly if I never had to speak to him
again, I’d be happy. I certainly would never boogie with him…’” Paige added.
“Oops,” Coco said, gesturing behind Paige. Darcy ignored what Paige had said
and took the high road – he smiled.
Rys noticed Darcy noticing Paige and
stepped forward but Darcy reached Paige Bennet first, and spoke. “Paige, I’m
wondering if you want to dance the next one… with me.”
Paige was stunned. She’d vowed never to
talk to Darcy again (she’d already broken that promise) but she never imagined
this moment.
Usually quick with a reply, Paige faltered.
For once, she was stuck for words.
“Um… I… have…” Paige looked around but Rys
had been side tracked by Rebel jumping up and down and grabbing his hand. Then
Coco appeared to be in deep conversation with Wednesday and Honey, suddenly.
Paige didn’t know where to look, much less
turn. She wanted to remain cool, “Sure,” Paige said, hesitantly.
Two Princesses gave Paige mean looks, but
Wednesday, Shiloh and Coco smiled at her.
The music changed up and Paige was
surprised to see that Darcy had rhythm. He even knew how to do some funky moves
which made people laugh, not at him but with him. It was a revelation to Paige
who, having attended so many gym classes and recitals, also had rhythm.
But the two clashed verbally. When the
music went slow and Darcy actually attempted to hold her hand, Paige was
reluctant. She kept her distance and Darcy appeared to be losing both interest
and patience.
Paige hadn’t forgotten she had sworn to
loathe him forever.
“You look good in a dress,” were the next
words to come out of Darcy’s mouth.
“Thanks. Your costume suites you too,”
Paige added. It was hard work, this dance of mutual compliments.
“Are you enjoying the party?”
“Of course, it’s fun and a lovely venue.”
Paige looked straight at Mackenzie, “I feel unexpectedly welcomed.”
“Well, we aim to be good neighbors.”
“Really?” Paige asked sarcastically.
“Do you always talk while you dance?”
Darcy asked.
“Only when I’m asked questions, but
generally I prefer to be anti-social and intolerant,” Paige said taking a dig
at Darcy’s behavior during debate class. He had hoped she’d forgotten and took
the high road.
“I’m not used to girls like you?”
“What, American?”
“No… smart. I mean, of course, I’ve met
smart girls before, I just, never had to mix with girls… I went to an all boys’
school and this is the first co-ed one I’ve ever attended.”
“Oh,” the music softened.
Darcy smiled as they moved closer to one
another.
“I’m
getting used to it.”
“That’s
good. Practice makes perfect,” Paige said snarkily. “I’m sure Mackenzie will
benefit from your practice.”
Paige pulled back. Darcy frowned. “About
that…” but Paige turned her head. He was tempted to explain everything – she
was just doing him a friendly favor but Paige clearly wasn’t interested.
She went to sample the punch when the song
ended and Darcy tagged along.
“I… I saw your sisters, your younger
sisters in Century City the other morning.”
“That must have been thrilling. They were
at a casting for some new music show that Rys and his dad are producing.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t tell me you’re jealous you’re not
in it.”
“No, not at all… It’s just that…”
“He’s popular for a reason, Darcy. He’s
helpful. He makes an effort. People like him and not just because his family
have money. My sisters think of him as an older brother.”
The music changed pace but Darcy stopped
dancing.
“You don’t need to elaborate…”
“You need to get over yourself, Darcy.”
“Oh, you can talk,” Darcy retorted.
The music stopped. The dancers jumped up
and down and clapped, things started getting wilder.
“Excuse me,” Darcy said as he left Paige
standing alone with her drink and walked purposefully over to Mackenzie, who
looked stunning in her red velvet dress and blonde hair under the light. She glanced
over at Paige as if she were not a rival worth having.
Mackenzie then laughed when Darcy spoke to
her as if he had had just told her the funniest joke in the world.
Typical,
Paige thought.
