Book Two: KOTLC One-shots and More

Winnowing Gala

As Sophie made her way to the Reception Hall at Everglen, she felt a disconcerting mixture of excitement and guilt.

But the guilt won out when she walked in and saw Alden and Della standing with Keefe.

They loved him like a son. They were basically his surrogate parents.

They also loved her like a daughter and always had.

They were absolutely wonderful people.

Did Fitz tell them about what had happened that afternoon? That this girl they loved so much, that they expected to be able to call daughter, couldn't even tell their son that she loved him after over a year of dating him?

Sophie wasn't the first to arrive, but she was close.

So Keefe noticed when she walked in.

He'd been smirking at Della while she adjusted the ice blue cape on his shoulders. Sophie couldn't help but notice that he looked really good.

But when he saw Sophie, she felt a moment's satisfaction at the way his eyes grew wide. The way he looked at her gave her the boldness to approach them in spite of her concerns for what the Vackers may be feeling.

She needn't have worried. They were as kind as ever, hugging Sophie and welcoming her to Keefe's Gala.

Then they turned to welcome other girls as they arrived.

But Keefe just stared at Sophie.

"Holy flareadon, Foster," he breathed, stepping closer. "You look incredible." His eyes raked slowly over the strapless red gown she was wearing. "And you wore red."

"You asked me to," she reminded him, feeling heat creep up her cheeks under the intensity of his gaze.

"I know," he whispered. "Thank you. You look..." he cleared his throat. "Anyway. I'm really glad you're here."

"Me too," she told him softly, not tearing her gaze from his ice blue eyes.

She was feeling all the flutters ever, but for once, Keefe didn't call her out on them. Instead he asked, "why did you feel so nervous when you talked to Alden and Della?"

"That's...hard to explain," she hedged. She felt awful about the whole debacle, but also really wanted to talk to Keefe about it. But...tonight wasn't about Sophie or about Fitz. It was about Keefe.

Who had to mix and mingle with more than just Sophie.

He tore his eyes from Sophie--reluctantly, it seemed--as even more girls continued to arrive. "We'll talk later," he promised, looking back at her. "I want to hear about whatever it is that has you so worked up. You know I can help you feel better about it, whatever it is."

Sophie smiled. He was the best at that. "Save me a dance?" She asked him.

"Of course," he said, smirking at her before going to stand by Alden and Della again to greet the other guests.

Sophie knew a few of the faces as they came in, and was surprised when she saw Marella. "I didn't know you'd be here!" she exclaimed.

Did Marella like Keefe?

Marella--looking, for once, not even the tiniest bit disheveled—rolled her eyes and smiled at Sophie. "Don't worry, I'm not making a move on Keefe," she assured her. "I just had to come since he's on my list and I knew he'd have girls fawning all over him tonight. I've waited for years to have direct access to this much gossip."

Sophie laughed. "Well, I'm glad to see a friendly face."

"Ah, there's the famous Anabel," Marella said, looking toward the door.