I Was Done Begging novel · Chapter 11 of 24

Chapter 11: Level Two

I did not run.

I took one step toward Julien, and I slid my hand into the front of my dress and drew out the yellow-tabbed proxy form.

I had folded it on top of everything else.

"I wanted to read it again before tonight," I said. "Your mother left it on the blotter."

His eyes went to the paper.

His shoulders came down.

"That's my girl," he said.

He took the form from my hand, looked at the signature line, and handed it back.

"Keep it. Sign on the stage like she said. And stay out of Mother's study, she hates people in it."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be." He kissed my temple. "You're doing so well."

He walked out with his tuxedo over his shoulder.

When the car had gone, I put my hand against the doorframe and let my breath come back.

"Celia," Lucas said, low in my ear. "That was the bravest thing I've ever heard."

"Go get your men in the garage," I said.

The ball was at the Hotel Marchand, in a ballroom with three chandeliers and three hundred people.

I walked in at seven in a dark blue gown on Julien's arm.

The board was there, and the donors, and a row of photographers with their flashes going.

Julien's mother wore black silk and a diamond collar.

She looked at me once, looked at the yellow-tabbed form sticking out of my clutch, and smiled.

Across the room, at the table nearest the stage, sat a silver-haired man in a grey suit with a small woman in a camel coat beside him.

My father did not wave.

My mother pressed her napkin to her mouth.

I turned my face away before I could do the same.

At half past nine Julien's mother touched my wrist.

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