Catherine's POV
My phone buzzed on the nightstand just as I was trying to wipe the last of the gala's heavy makeup from my skin. It was Kiera. I picked up on the second ring, knowing exactly what kind of lecture was coming my way.
"Catherine, oh my gosh, you're really a terrible friend," Kiera's voice boomed through the speaker before I could even say hello. "You vanished. No goodbye, no text, nothing. I had to find out from my brother that you had gone home. Really?"
"I'm sorry, Kiera," I sighed, sitting on the edge of my bed. "Everything just got... overwhelming. Richard and the others left early, and Gabriel insisted on taking me home. I wasn't in the headspace to go back into that ballroom to find you."
"Doesn't matter. You should have at least called. Don't you remember I attended just 'cause of you."
I bit my lip, unsure of what I could say to get her to forgive me. "I'm sorry, Ki. Don't be mad please."
