Chapter 163

Jennifer woke me at quarter to six with a tray of sandwiches and sweet tea. It wouldn’t be polite to gobble all the party food like I was starving, and I hadn’t eaten since lunch.

But my head was fuzzy from sleep, and I wasn’t the least bit hungry. I took a shower to wake up. The warm water felt good as it washed away the cobwebs from my mind.

Afterward, I munched on the sandwiches while Jennifer dried my hair and arranged it in a messy bun that looked great.

My teeth were brushed, and my makeup was perfect when it was time to slip on my new sage green cocktail dress. I loved the way the pearl sequins across the skirt caught the light.

With the matching kitten heel sandals on my feet, I was ready to go.

Victor arrived on time, and we left for the party about a mile away.

I spotted Mr. Gray’s pickup truck before I got out of the Lamborghini. The old truck stuck out at a party full of Aston Martins, Mercedes, and Ferraris.

But I didn’t see Amy anywhere. “Amy,” I called. “We’re going inside to the party. Where are you?”

“Is that her behind that huge azalea bush?” Victor asked. “It looks like there is something blue among the pink and white flowers.”

“Amy’s dress is powder blue,” I said. “It must be her. Jennifer thought the dress would go well with her pretty blonde hair and porcelain complexion.

“Why is she hiding behind a bush?” Victor asked. He was suppressing a smile.

“She’s a Beta outside an Alpha’s den,” I replied. “I understand how she feels. But things need to change. Starting right now.”

I walked over to the azaleas. “Amy, come on, we’re here. Let’s go inside.”

Amy peeked out from behind the bush. “I think I changed my mind.”

Victor walked over to us and offered both arms. “Ladies, I would be honored if you allowed me to escort you both inside.”

This gallant side of Victor made me want to hug him.

Amy came out from behind the bush. The blue silk cocktail dress enhanced her delicate blonde beauty. She looked amazing.

“Everyone was staring at my dad’s truck,” she whispered. “I couldn’t stand waiting in it.”

“I hope you didn’t have to wait long,” I said.

“It just felt like a long time,” Amy replied. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Take an arm, ladies,” Victor said. “Let’s do this.”

Hesitantly, Amy tucked a hand into Victor’s left arm while I took his right.

“It’ll be okay, Amy,” I assured her. “The Alphas didn’t eat you when you went to my ball.”

“But that was at your house,” she pointed out. “This is at a stranger’s home. What if they don’t want a Beta at their party?”

“You’re with me,” I said. “Why would they care about one more pretty girl at their party?”

“Daisy, stop,” a blushing Amy objected.

“You do look pretty tonight, Amy,” Victor assured her. “I’m sure everything will be fine. The Fosters are kind people.”

Amy shifted her eyes nervously. “If you say so,” she whispered.

The first person we saw when we went inside was William.

“Victor, you must share the pretty girls,” he said with a smile. “You can’t keep them all for yourself.”

I saw Amy visibly relax. Victor made her nervous, but she had come to trust William. He was friendly with her at school even when I wasn’t there.

The host and hostess hurried over to greet us. I introduced Amy as my best friend. The Fosters were welcoming to her, and Amy relaxed enough to smile.

“Help yourselves to the buffet,” Mrs Foster said.

“Daisy, there is someone who wants to meet you,” Mr. Foster added. “He is wrapped up in a conversation now. I’ll find you when he is free.”

“Thank you,” I said. “I’d be delighted to meet him.”

After the Fosters walked away, Victor was called across the room by clients, and William went to the buffet with Amy and me.

Amy’s eyes bulged as she looked over the many foods offered to the Foster’s guests.

“Is that caviar?” she whispered. “And lobster canapés, and that must be steak tartare! I’ve always wanted to try all of them.”

“Well, now is your chance,” I whispered back.

We filled plates and found empty chairs to sit in and eat. I was amused by Amy’s reaction to the expensive food.

“Doesn’t your father serve some of these things in his restaurant?” William asked.

“Yeah, but they’re too expensive for us to eat,” she explained. “They are for paying customers only.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying them now,” William said.

Amy tried the caviar and made a horrible face that told me she didn’t like it.

I handed her a glass of sparkling grape juice. “Here, wash it down.”

“Yuck, that’s nasty,” she giggled. “Why would anybody pay a lot of money to eat that?”

I giggled along with her. “I feel the same way. I can’t stand the stuff. Try the steak tartare. I love it.”

Amy slipped a piece of raw, seasoned steak into her mouth and smiled. “Mmm. That’s good.”

I was pleased she was having a good time. She continued to smile even when Megan, Hallie, and Becky joined us.

Megan agreed with us about our dislike of caviar. “That stuff is gross. It’s fishing bait, not food. I think people eat it as a status symbol because it’s expensive.”

Amy nodded her agreement. “I can’t get the bad taste out of my mouth.”

“Amy, will you and Daisy tell us about your event idea yet?” Megan asked. “We are dying to know what you two have planned.”

Amy looked at me and shrugged.

“It was your idea,” I said. “Tell them about it.”

Amy placed her plate on a nearby table. “It’s called a progressive dinner.”

I listened to Amy explain her idea to a growing crowd of young Alphas. But before she was finished, Mr. Foster sent for me.

“Tell Amy I’ll be back as soon as I can,” I told Hallie.

I hurried to Dan Foster’s side.

“Daisy, this is Richard Myers,” Dan gestures to the short, balding man beside him. “He is the CEO of Myers Steel and Aluminum.”

We shook hands.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Myers,” I said.

“And you as well,” Richard Myers said. “I’ve got a business proposition for you and your company that should benefit us both.”

“I would love to hear all about it,” I said.

But my attention was across the room. Megan and Hallie had drifted away, and Amy was surrounded by Alpha girls I didn’t know.

“My company manufactures the best quality steel and aluminum,” Richard Myers said. “I would be willing to give you a significant discount on our products for any building projects in exchange for certain advertising.”

My eyes drifted back to Amy. I wasn’t sure, but she looked uncomfortable. Two brunette girls in pink satin were saying something that upset her.

“That sounds like an interesting idea,” I agreed, but all I could think of was getting back to Amy.

Richard noticed my attention was across the room. “The girls in pink are my daughters,” he said. “Do you know them?”

“No,” I replied, trying to hear what was being said to my friend. She looked frantically around the room, most likely trying to find me.

I had to go to her. She needed me. I promised nobody would bully her here.

“I have some figures drawn up for you.” Richard produced a small folder from his coat pocket.

The deal would help with new building costs, but then I was sure Amy needed me when the words “Beta trash” drifted to my ears.

Amy saw me watching her from across the room, and her eyes met mine. I saw her pain and humiliation. I had to do something now.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t talk now,” I said and walked away. How dare those girls mistreat my friend!

But it was too late. Amy had already run away from her tormentors. She was out of the Foster’s house before I could cross the room.

I ran to the front door to go after her. She didn’t deserve to be treated badly by these spoiled Alpha girls.

Why did I leave her alone? I had to catch up to her and make it right.