Chapter 19: The Party

SLOAN

I reluctantly say goodbye to Kade, and after checking in with Marlene, I go back to my apartment to get ready.

I shower and do my best with my hair and makeup before I zip myself into the perfect LILAC dress: formfitting and the exact right color purple—it even matches my tattoo.

When I return to the venue, the event is already in full swing, with a purple carpet full of people and paparazzi everywhere.

I try to go unnoticed, but someone sees me. “There she is! Sloan Kennedy, where is your boyfriend?” a reporter shouts.

“Umm.”

“Kade Lawson, where is he?” the reporter insists.

“Sound check?”

Just then, I feel arms wrap around my waist. “Right here. I can’t wait for tonight; it’s going to be a blast,” Kade says with a smile on his face.

“Kade, kiss your girl,” someone yells.

He raises an eyebrow at me, and I don’t have the strength to deny him as he leans me back and kisses me with a burning passion. The small crowd ‘ohs’ and ‘aws’ before he escorts me inside.

“Wow, a purple suit?” I smile.

“Anything for you,” he says.

“Mm-hm, it’s working for me,” I admit.

He smiles. “You look incredible.”

Kade escorts me into the ballroom, where Marlene approaches us.

“Sloan, this is so perfect, you did an amazing job. Meet me in my office first thing on Monday. But tonight, have fun,” Marlene says.

“In that case, Sloan, may I have this dance?” Kade grabs my hand and spins me toward the dance floor while “Purple Rain” blasts through the speakers.

Before I know it, we’re brushing elbows with supermodels and actors I recognize, but I’m still lost in Kade’s eyes.

“I have to go soon, but I want you to remember this moment.” He smiles before he spins me and dips me while he lays an intense kiss on my lips.

“Wow, Kade, pretty hard to forget.”

After planting one more kiss on my cheek, Kade leaves to go backstage to meet with the band.

I go to the room that’s been set up for LILAC staffers and find some familiar faces that quiz me about Kade before I escape back to the dance floor.

When Kade’s band comes out, I’m surprised to find him staring right at me.

“Thank y’all for coming out tonight. Let’s give LILAC a hand for ten years of greatness.” Kade smiles, and the crowd goes wild. “And let’s give Sloan Kennedy a hand for this incredible party.”

The room erupts in applause, and Kade extends a hand to me and pulls me onto the stage.

“What do you all think about this party?” he asks.

The crowd cheers and whoops.

“Well, this beautiful woman made it happen. Make sure to take a pic in front of one of the hand-drawn backdrops and use the hashtag #purplehaze.”

A chant roams through the crowd: “Kiss her, kiss her, kiss her.”

Kade pulls me close. “Is this okay, Sloan?”

I make wide eyes at him as he pulls me in, kissing me passionately. When he breaks the kiss, I’m out of breath.

“Kade…”

“Sloan…”

“Table this for later,” I say, winking at him.

Kade winks back at me and then helps me to the side of the stage before he goes back to playing his set.

I wait just off-stage, watching him completely in his element, commanding the crowd; when he sings his heart out, it just makes him so much more attractive.

I get lost in the moment and sway to the music while I enjoy the purple lights casting a haze over the room.

“Wow, Sloan.”

I turn around to see Archie standing there. “Archie?”

“This is really something.”

“Good something?”

“Yes, I’m so impressed. I didn’t know this is what you did.”

“You could have if you—”

“You don’t have to finish; I know you’re right. I just came to tell you, I’m sorry. I’m an idiot and you deserve better. You seem happy, and I’m happy for you.”

“Thank you.”

“The five years I spent with you did mean something to me, but I shut you out and I’m sorry. I do love you and probably always will because you taught me the value of true friendship.”

“Archie, I don’t really know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything. Watch your boyfriend, enjoy your night.”

“Wait, it’s important to me that you know nothing happened with Kade until—”

“I know, Sloan, I know you. That night at your apartment, those terrible things I said, hurting you—it’s the biggest regret of my life.

“For what it’s worth, anyone can see he’s smitten with you. I hope he’ll treat you the way you deserve.” He smiles sheepishly and bows his head before he turns and walks away.

I set my eyes back on Kade and realize that Archie’s appearance didn’t affect me at all. I’m still just as entranced by the sexy man in the purple suit.

While Kade finishes his set, I take a walk around the ballroom to make sure everything is still going well. The buffet is stocked, and the line at the bar isn’t too long.

I pull up my phone to check Instagram, and there are tons of #purplehaze pictures from the party already. Marlene is going to be so happy with me. This is so great.

I take a minute to take everything in and hear Kade’s voice over the crowd, so I walk back to the dance floor and stand in the middle to watch him perform.

When he notices me, he smiles in my direction and I feel it in my core.

“Sloan Kennedy, right?”

I whip around to see someone I don’t recognize. “Yes?”

A smarmy guy is grinning at me. “This is all your doing, huh?”

“Not only mine, but sort of, yeah.”

“And you’re beautiful too.” His smirk makes my skin crawl.

“Thank you.”

“Can I buy you a drink?”

“Oh, I’m all right, but thank you anyway.”

“Come on, baby, I’m harmless.”

“Sorry, I’m working tonight but I appreciate it. Have fun.”

I turn back to the stage to watch Kade, but the pushy guy pinches my butt hard, then puts his arms around my waist and pulls me to him.

Slightly panicked, I freeze, but Kade has been watching and he drops the mic and jumps off the stage, walking straight to me. The band keeps playing, but all eyes of the crowd are on Kade.

“Hey, asshole, get your hands off her.” Kade cocks his arm back like he’s going to throw a punch, and the pushy guy raises his hands in surrender.

Kade pulls me to him and wraps his arm around my shoulder before walking me back to the stage. He kisses my head before he jumps back up.

The band has been filling the room with music, but when Kade picks the mic back up, they fade out.

“Sorry for the interruption. I’ve made no secret about how I feel about Sloan Kennedy.”

The crowd yells and cheers.

“Yes, she is a beautiful woman, and I can’t blame anyone for noticing that, but to the guy in the back of the room with his tail between his legs, it’s called consent, look it up.”

The crowd cheers, again, and Kade signals the band to start to play. I stand on the floor at the edge of the stage, looking up at Kade with admiration, when I feel a tap on my shoulder. Not again.

I turn around, but it’s Marlene...and she’s smiling. “Can I steal you for a few minutes?”

I smile at Kade and leave the floor with Marlene. She pulls me into the lobby, where we can talk.

“Sloan, I just couldn’t wait until Monday. I have to tell you, this night is spectacular—better than I thought it could be.”

“I’m so glad you’re happy.”

“What just happened with Kade?”

“A nasty guy was groping me on the dance floor; Kade must have seen it from the stage.”

“I could kiss him. There is already a buzz, and Carly is working on an article to post tomorrow. Not only was this party a success, but now, Kade has made it a platform promoting consent.”

“Yeah, wow, I didn’t even think about that.”

“Do you think you could get him to do an interview?”

“I’m sure he would if I ask.”

“Please, do.

“And Sloan, I’d still like to meet with you Monday to discuss your future. I was just approached by the owner of a large brand who wants to sponsor a purple party. This might become an annual event.”

“Wow, I don’t know what to say. Thank you, Marlene. I’ll talk to Kade when he’s done with his set.”

“Yes, and enjoy the rest of the party. Really, Sloan, great job.”