I accepted the call. “Hi, Carter, I’ll be right down.”

  “I’ll be waiting.” His voice was so smooth it made it easy to picture him in a tux.

  The call ended. I put my phone down and squealed.

  Smiling, Sasha pulled my dress out of the bag and unzipped it. “Step inside.”

  I did and she zipped it back up.

  She stepped back and looked me over. “You could be on the cover of Glamour magazine.”

  Curious, I went into the bathroom and looked in the full-length mirror. My mouth gaped. Though I wasn’t sure what to expect at the exclusive party, I was sure I wouldn’t have any trouble fitting in.

  “Come on,” Sasha called. “Can’t leave that hot guy waiting.”

  I hurried out, slid on my new, sparkly silver pumps, and grabbed my purse.

  “You can’t take that,” Sasha exclaimed.

  “Why not?”

  She rolled her eyes. “You’ve got to be kidding me. It’s a good thing you have me.” She went into her closet and pulled out a tiny sparkly clutch.

  “Will my phone even fit in there?”

  “Of course. That and your wallet and a few makeup items. All you need for a date.”

  “You’re the expert.” I dumped the contents of my purse onto my bed and stuffed what I could into the miniature bag.

  Sasha gave me a once-over. “Girl, you’re going to be the best looking one in the place.”

  “Stop.” But I couldn’t help beaming. “Do you really think so?”

  “Of course. If I was your mom, I’d be taking a million pictures right now. Wait, gimme your camera. I’ll take some so you can send them to her.”

  My chest constricted. Maybe one day I could.

  “Hand it over.”

  Fumbling, I pulled it out of the clutch.

  She grabbed my phone and held it up. “Say cheese.”

  I forced a smile, feeling the start of a lump in my throat.

  The flash shone a couple times and Sasha studied the screen. “Perfect.”

  “Come on, we’ve made Carter wait long enough.”

  My knees felt weak. I reached for my phone.

  She shook her head. “I’ll need pictures of the two of you.”

  I couldn’t argue with that.

  We headed downstairs. I could hear Carter before I saw him. He was discussing baseball with Landon. We came into the kitchen.

  Carter had his back to us, but Landon looked at me and whistled. “Lookin’ good, roomie.”

  Sasha pushed me closer to the guys. “I know, right? Makes me want to go out somewhere fancy.”

  Carter turned around and our gazes met. His hair was slicked back and he was even more gorgeous in a tux. I almost dropped the handbag.

  “You look beautiful.” He picked up a plastic box from the table, pulled out a corsage with white roses, and slid it onto my wrist.

  “Stand over by the wall,” Sasha directed. “Picture time.”

  Carter flashed me a handsome smile and put his arm around my shoulders. We stood where Sasha pointed, in front of an empty wall.

  She snapped a few pictures and handed me my phone. “I’m so jealous.”

  I glanced down at the image on the screen. We did look great—he was gorgeous and I barely recognized myself. I slid the phone into the clutch. “I’m sorry it took me a little longer to get ready than I thought.”

  “Not a problem. You were well worth the wait.”

  Sasha raised her brows. “See?” she mouthed. Then she turned to Carter. “Have fun, you two. Bring her back by midnight.”

  “What?”

  “I’m kidding!” She laughed and grabbed my arm. “I want to hear everything when you get back.”

  Maybe I didn’t need a mom with Sasha as my roommate. “Sure.”

  Sounds of shattering glass came from the backyard.

  Landon groaned. “I better get out there. Things are starting to get rowdy. See you guys!”

  I gave a little wave and Carter, who still had his arm around me, led me toward the front door.

  Sasha caught my gaze and gave me a thumbs-up. I smiled, my heart thundering in my chest.

  “Is your friend always like that?” Carter asked and chuckled.

  “I’m not really sure. We just met a couple days ago.”

  “Right. Well, it’s nice to have someone who cares.”

  I couldn’t deny that.

  He stopped in front of a cherry-red Ferrari and unlocked it with a remote.

  My mouth nearly dropped to the ground. Next to his car, my black Jaguar seemed like a run-of-the-mill sedan.

  Carter removed his arm from my shoulders and opened the passenger door. “M’lady.”

  I hurried over and climbed in. It smelled of leather, and I sank into the super-comfortable seat. It was so soft and supple and conformed to me as I sank in. It relaxed me, and almost made me forget my troubles—much in the same way Carter did.

  He got into the driver’s seat and started the engine. It purred like a kitten. He turned to me, a devious smile on his face. “Wanna see how fast she can go?”

  My eyes lit up. “Yeah, of course.”

  “Once we get off the main road, we’ll have a nearly straight shot to the Jag. I’ll show you there.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  He turned on the music, and the same song played as on my phone when I received a call.

  “You okay?” He pulled out of the parking spot.

  “It, uh… I was just listening to that song earlier.”

  Carter tapped his temple. “Great minds.” He pulled out onto the main road.

  Every other car slowed for him. Quite a few pulled out phones and snapped pictures.

  “Is it always like this?”

  “Yeah, especially at the beginning of the year. Give ‘em a few weeks, and everyone will be used to seeing her around.” He pulled off the main road. “You ready to see what she can do?”

  I hoped so. “Let’s see.”

  Carter punched the gas, sending the back of my head into the headrest. Everything outside seemed to pass in a shapeless blur.

  “This is unbelievable,” I gushed.

  “You haven’t seen anything yet. Wait until you see how she handles the corner coming up.”

  I couldn’t see a corner.

  He turned the steering wheel to the right and we took a sharp turn so smoothly I didn’t even feel a thing.

  “Wow,” I whispered.

  “Now prepare to really be impressed.” He slowed down and pulled into a parking lot. Most every car parked was a luxury vehicle, many as impressive as the Ferrari.

  The building in front of us stood tall and sleek, black with no windows in sight. The three letters—Jag—stood out, the same color as Carter’s car.

  He turned to me. “Are you ready to see the inside?”

  My breath caught. Ready or not, that’s where we were headed.

  Chapter 4

  Carter and I walked around the building to where a long line led to a single door. Two enormous men wearing all black stood at either side, checking IDs against their tablets.

  My feet hurt just thinking about standing in the line.

  Carter laced his fingers through mine and marched to the two burly guys.

  Everyone in line stared at us. Their chatter quieted.

  “Ringo,” Carter said.

  The nearest bouncer turned to us and he broke into a grin. “Carter, my man. Come on in.”

  Both of the huge men moved out of our way and opened the door. The couple in the front of the line tried to go through, but Ringo blocked them with one arm and shook his head.

  Carter tugged on my hand, and I followed him inside. The door slammed behind us.

  It took my eyes a moment to adjust to the darkened hallway. Tiny lights lined the floor at the wall. The hall went off in two directions. Loud music with a strong beat sounded from the far end.

  He squeezed my hand. “Do you want to start with dinner or dancing?”

  “Can we eat first?”

  “Whatever you’d like.” He led me down the quieter hall and we stepped into a formal restaurant.

  Waiters in suits hurried about, taking food and orders. I couldn’t see a single empty table.

  A man with salt and pepper hair wearing a tux came over to us, smiling warmly. “Greetings, Carter.” He nodded to me.

  “Hello, Mac. Is a table available?” Carter asked.

  “For you? Always. Would you like to dine with your father or at your own table?”

  Carter arched a brow.

  Mac nodded. “Your own table. I understand. Hold on just a moment.” He scurried away.

  I glanced around the dim restaurant. Fancy artwork decorated the walls. Everything seemed to be gold-plated. Overhead lamps lit each table illuminating the guests, all dressed in formal wear. Compared to all the other women, I was nothing special. I would fit in, but barely.

  Why had Carter brought me? If he never spoke to most people at school, why stop by our barbecue and invite me? Could it have something to do with my elusive past?

  Mac returned. “Your favorite table is ready for you.”

  We followed him, zigging and zagging around booths full of happy customers. People laughed and toasted each other. Finally, we stopped at a corner booth. Two tall candles sat on the middle of the table on either side of a champagne bottle.

  Carter let go of my hand and gestured for me to sit. He sat across from me and turned to Mac. “Thank you.”

  Mac nodded and then rushed away.

  “So, this is your favorite table?” I couldn’t help wondering how often he brought guests here. Was I merely one of many?

  He adjusted himself in the seat. “It’s my favorite place to study.”

  “Study?” I exclaimed.

  “It’s much quieter during the day.”

  A server came over and placed a plate of dark bread in the middle of the table and then set three sauce cups around the basket. He poured champagne into the glasses. “Are you ready to order, Master Jag?”

  Carter cleared his throat and turned to me. “Do you know what you’d like?”

  I glanced around for the menus.

  “Order what you’d like. No limitations here—unless you’re looking for a rare delicacy from another country. You’ll have to order that ahead of time.”

  I stared at him, unable to speak.

  “Master?” asked the server, staring at Carter.

  “We’ll need a few minutes.”

  The server bowed and walked away.

  “Master?” I asked.

  Carter shook his head. “My dad likes things old school.”

  “Right, you said that.”

  He nodded. “If you like lobster, I recommend that. Our fishermen go to a spot that no one else knows about, and the seafood is second to none.”

  “You have your own—? Never mind. Lobster sounds wonderful.”

  “Dig in.” He took a piece of bread and dipped it in garlic butter.

  I took one and dipped it in a creamy sauce. It tasted like crab and melted in my mouth.

  The server returned. “Have you decided, Master Jag?”

  “We’ll both have a lobster from today’s catch.”

  “Would you like to kill it yourself?”

  My eyes nearly popped out of my head.

  Carter glanced at me. “No thank you. We’ll let the chef take care of that.”

  “Very well.” The server bowed and left again.

  Three violinists and a harpist came our way and stood in the middle of the adjoining booths.

  I arched a brow at Carter, who nodded toward the musicians. He appeared amused.

  They set up their instruments and played a soft, romantic melody that lulled me into a trance.

  After the song ended, I shook my head to clear it. I couldn’t tell how much time had passed. Everyone else clapped. I blinked a few times and joined them. The musicians picked up their things and moved to a different part of the restaurant.

  I turned to Carter. “This place is amazing.”

  He rested his chin in his palm. “It’s fun to watch it through the eyes of an outsider. Especially one as lovely as you.”

  My face flushed, and I sipped my champagne. I wondered how far out of my element I was. Without any memories, it was hard to judge, but with or without them, it was impossible to not be impressed. It didn’t feel like my normal stomping grounds.

  Carter took another piece of bread. “Have you registered for your classes already?”

  I nodded. “Nothing exciting this quarter other than psychology.”

  “Really? I have psych, too. Wonder if we have the same one.”

  The way things were going, it would have surprised me if we didn’t. “Could be.”

  He pulled out his phone and slid his finger around the screen. “One o’clock with Massaro.”

  “Sounds familiar.” I pulled out my phone and checked. “That’s the one.”

  Carter grinned. “I’m glad you’ll be there. I heard he can be a real jerk when he wants to be. What else do you have?”

  I glanced over my schedule. “Intro to Statistics and World Geography.”

  He sipped his drink. “I aced both, so let me know if you need any help. You know where I study.” He glanced around the table.

  “Thanks.”

  “Johnson for geography? You’ll like her.”

  I nodded. “And Foley for stats.”

  His face clouded over.

  “Something wrong with him, too?” I asked.

  Carter sat taller and his brows came together. “He’s new. I wouldn’t know.”

  I tilted my head. “Sure you haven’t heard of him?”

  The server arrived and placed the two lobsters in front of us. He held up a pepper grater as long as his arm. “Pepper?”

  “Please,” Carter said.

  Once we both had our dishes seasoned, the server again left.

  The grin had returned to Carter’s face. “Dig in and tell me this isn’t the best you’ve tasted.”

  I forced a smile. It wouldn’t be hard to say that.

  “Go on.” He stuck a forkful into his mouth and closed his eyes. “It doesn’t get any better than this.”

  Curious, I stabbed the largest piece and took a bite. The taste exploded in my mouth. “Oh, my.”

  Carter flicked a nod. “Told you. Oh, and be sure to save room for dessert.”

  We ate in silence as my taste buds screamed in delight. Even the side vegetables were mind-meltingly delicious. It was hard not to scarf everything down, but I kept control, making eye contact with him every so often and smiling.

  As soon as the plates had been emptied, the server returned. “Would you like more, or some dessert, perhaps?”

  I leaned back. “As much as I’d love some more, I hear the dessert is just as good.”

  “Very well. What would you like?”

  “Good question.” I turned to Carter. “What do you recommend?”

  He chuckled. “Just about anything, but then again, I’ve never found a sweet that disagreed with me. Pick your favorite, and we’ll have two.”

  My mind went blank. “I, uh, don’t really have a favorite.”

  “Really? No favorite?”

  I shrugged. “Not really.”

  He turned to the server. “Bring us tonight’s special.”

  The server balanced the plates and bowed. “Coming right up.” He spun around and left.

  “What’s the special?” I asked.

  “No idea, but it’ll be good. Did you like the dinner?”

  “It was hard to save room for dessert.”

  “Yeah, once you eat at the Jag, everything else pales in comparison. I hope you won’t be too full to dance.” His eyes shone.

  I studied his handsome face and let my gaze linger down to his muscular arms before looking back into his eyes. “I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”

  A slow smile crept across his face. “I’m so glad I ran into you at the party. You’re such a breath of fresh air compared to everyone around here.”

  Did he mean at the club or in town? I didn’t have the chance to ask, because a loud sizzling noise distracted me.

  Our server was headed our way, carrying two flaming dishes.

  I turned to Carter. “Is that our dessert?”

  “It most certainly is.”

  A moment later, the two fiery plates were in front of us. Underneath the flames was an enormous slice of cake that looked like layers of sponge cake, ice cream and meringue.

  “Enjoy.” The server bowed and hurried away.

  My eyes widened as I stared.

  “Blow it out,” Carter said. “If you just watch the show, your dessert will be charred.”

  I watched him blow his out, and I imitated him. The sweet smell arose and made my mouth water. “What is this?”

  “Pure heaven.” He took a bite and closed his eyes. He opened them and winked. “If you mean the name, it’s called Baked Alaska. Dig in.”

  I grabbed my fork and scooped as much as I could. All the flavors worked together to create something I was sure I’d never tasted before.

  “A rare rum gives it that kick,” Carter said. “Father has it imported from a dangerous little town in Russia.”

  “Not Alaska?” I took another bite, letting it melt on my tongue.

  “Where’s the challenge in that?” He ate the last of his and pushed the empty plate to the edge of the table. “Are you going to be able to finish that?”

  Half of my enormous slice remained. “I’m going to try.”

  Carter chuckled. “It’s hard to leave any on the plate, I know. Once when I—” He sat taller and stared at something behind me.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  He groaned and scooted away from the booth’s edge. “It’s my father with some out of town guests.”

  “You don’t want to talk to him?”

  “Not if I can avoid it.”

  I pushed my plate toward him. “Help me finish this—I hate to see it go to waste—and then we can sneak to the dance floor.”

  His expression relaxed. “I like the way you think.” He picked up his fork, and soon we had the plate emptied.

  “Are you ready to dance?” I asked, just as eager to have his arms wrapped around me again as I was to burn off some serious calories.