The Luna Choosing Game

“Oh, no! Piper, I'm so sorry!” she exclaimed. She placed her empty glass down on a nearby table then held her hands out to me like she intended to do something. Yet she never actually touched me or my clothes. “What can we do? That will stain right away!” She was right. Red wine stains didn’t come out at all once they were set.

I studied Bridget for a moment, trying to determine if this had truly been an accident. Everything had happened so quickly. Bridget could have lost balance. In the moment, that had been what it looked like.

Bridget was a professional actress. She could make anything look accidental.

But what would her end goal have been

for deception? To ruin my outfit? To get me out of the way? I wasn’t even talking to Nicholas, I had been talking to Julian! And Bridget hadn't really shown any possessive interest in him. At least, not on the same level of Nicholas.

If this hadn’t been an accident, that meant that Bridget had it personally out for me, and that just seemed so... I don’t know. Too much.

It had to be an accident.

Veronica stood from her spot. She had a handkerchief and tried to help me wipe at the various spots. But it didn’t matter. The stain seemed set already and trying to wipe it away only stretched the stain out, making it worse.

The outfit was basically trash now.

Unless I could get it soaking in cold water. That might be the only way to salvage it.

Veronica traded me the handkerchief for the empty bottle. “We'll keep an eye on Elva,” she said. “Go change.” That seemed like the best plan to me.

“Thank you,” I told her.

“Oh, Piper. Forgive me,” Bridget said.

walked around her and headed

staff was there. As I gestured to my shirt, I asked, “Do you have any idea where my

all the luggage into the foyer while the room assignments are being made. You

Photos of palm leaves and exotic birds covered most of the walls. The

nearby closet. Our luggage was lined up there, just inside the door. I recognized mine right away. It was the most beat

the

of the staff at the palace hadn’t always liked me. Some still didn’t. I was worried a little about what the situation would be here. It was a relief to know that the staff here would not be repeating the trend I experienced there. Maybe the tropical weather helped

even joined me as I

ready, Miss. The

I was incredibly grateful to her. So I ducked into the bathroom with my bag, changed out of my clothes, and then held them out for her after opening the door enough

heard her footsteps

I set it down on the floor, zipped it open, and in a

had put a

one of my clothes seemed damaged. @ For this to have happened, someone must have put in

a separate smaller bag tucked into the corner of this one. That seemed

that didn’t help me right

were damaged. And I had already given my stained clothes to the waiting

to stay

hoped it would be Veronica or Julian, and

Unless...

a beach, right? Would it really be so bad for me to put on my swimsuit? € At least for as long as I could get Veronica’s attention. Maybe she could lend me something else to wear