Bridges Burned (Going Down in Flames #2)(76)

“Thank you.”

The orchestral music swelled in the background, and Bryn saw her grandfather approaching the table. Was he finally coming to join them? It was about time.

He came around the table and held his hand out toward his wife. “Are you ready, Marie?”

“Yes.” Her grandmother actually smiled.

They walked away hand in hand.

“What’s that about?” she asked Jaxon.

He gave her a long-suffering look. “Why am I your personal ambassador for the Christmas ball tonight?”

“Because I find your personality so delightful.” She batted her eyelashes at him. “Now answer the question.”

“They are walking toward the dance floor. The orchestra is playing a song. What do you think will happen next?”

“Oh.” That made sense. “You don’t have to be so condescending.”

“I strive to be just condescending enough, but sometimes the balance is hard to maintain.”

If they weren’t in the middle of a ballroom surrounded by her grandparents’ friends and associates, she would’ve flipped him off. As it was, she didn’t bother to respond.

On the dance floor, her grandparents took a traditional dance pose and the orchestra launched into a romantic rendition of “Blue Christmas.” Was that supposed to be a joke?

Her grandparents moved together with the ease of a couple who’d slow-danced together for fifty years. Funny how they looked so perfect together, when they actually lived as what? Friends? No, that wasn’t the right term. More like business partners or associates. The lack of love in their relationship seemed sad. Before, she’d wondered how her mother could walk away from everything. Now she knew. It was simple. True love trumped everything.

Would she have a chance to experience true love? She’d loved Zavien, or at least she thought she had. Just because he hadn’t returned her feelings didn’t mean hers hadn’t been real. Looking back on it, she could see the times she’d made comments about being willing to run away with him. He’d never, not once, said anything similar. Which made her feel stupid now.

Applause broke out around her, bringing her back to the moment. She clapped along with everyone else as her grandparents acknowledged the applause with slight nods of their heads.

Jaxon stood. “I’m going to visit the men’s room, and then I plan to hide on the terrace.”

Was he serious? Apparently so, because he took off like a shot.

His mother turned around from her conversation and frowned. “Where’s Jaxon?”

“I believe he ran to the restroom.” Should she follow his lead?

“When he returns, you two should dance.” Lillith said it like it was a fabulous idea. Bryn was pretty sure Jaxon would rather do a rendition of “I’m a Little Teapot” while wearing nothing but black socks and a Viking helmet than dance with her.

Not wanting to upset Lillith, she smiled and nodded. Her grandmother would be proud.

Ferrin came toward the table. The smile that lit Lillith’s face made Bryn’s heart hurt. Did Lillith harbor feelings for Ferrin? She’d claimed she was happy with a son who loved her and another one on the way. Was that true?

Bryn didn’t want to make eye contact with Ferrin, so she reached for another cookie while Lillith floated out of her chair to the dance floor. More and more couples joined her grandparents. Blonds dancing with blonds, as far as the eye could see. Always being the odd man out sucked. Maybe she should follow Jaxon’s lead and hide on a terrace. Then again, there were whack jobs like Taven on the terraces.

All she wanted to do was go hide in her room with a platter of cookies, but her grandmother would be hurt if she left the party early. That meant she had two choices. Sit here by herself and pretend it didn’t bother her that everyone else was dancing, or find a safe place to hide and kill some time while she waited for the orchestra to stop playing.

First, she’d retreat to the restrooms, and then she’d figure out a good hiding spot. The restroom off the ballroom reminded her of the restroom at a theater. There were multiple stalls and sinks. Most of them were in use at the moment, so she waited in line. Which didn’t bother her, because it killed more time. The woman in front of her glanced back to see who had joined the queue and frowned.

Great.

After leaving the restroom, Bryn walked the edge of the ballroom pretending to study the various Christmas trees lining the walls.

Jaxon stood across the room talking with Quentin and a few other guys. If there had been any females in the group, she might have joined him. With just males, it would be beyond awkward.

Now what? Out of ideas, she headed back to her table. Dang it. The table was empty. Everyone must be dancing. Which would look more pathetic—sitting by herself or standing off to the side by herself?

She’d sell a kidney on the black market for a friendly face at this point. Since there were none in sight, she opted for sitting at the table where she had the consolation of Christmas cookies.

With every cookie she ate, her mood sank.

Christmas Eve. All her life it had meant a cozy home, stringing popcorn, and watching Rudolph. Now it meant attending a ball where she was tolerated, but not welcomed. God, maybe she’d be better off living somewhere by herself, pretending to be human. With her love of food, she could become a chef or a baker. But then, she’d never be able to share who she truly was with anyone. That sounded lonelier than being ignored by hundreds of shape-shifting dragons.