The Inheritances Game (Jameson Hawthorne)

I gazed at my reflection in the full-length mirror, captivated by the elegance of the satin dress enveloping me in a warm tan hue. The luxurious fabric draped gracefully, catching the light and casting a subtle sheen that accentuated its refined texture, the bodice a heart-shaped neckline.

As my eyes traced the dress, I marveled at the beauty of it. The heart-shaped bodice embraced my figure with a gentle yet flattering embrace, enhancing the natural curves in a way that felt both sophisticated and alluring. The skirt cascaded down from the waist, its flowing layers creating a mesmerizing dance of fabric.

"The party's starting. Are you ready?" I asked facing Avery who was wearing a deep red ball gown. 

"I think so, I can't believe I let Xander talk me into this." She said nervously

"It'll be amazing, now I think a certain Hawthorne may be waiting for you" Recently I've noticed a certain something between Avery and Grayson that neither of them seem to want to admit to.

She rolled her eyes. "I don't have a Hawthorne." I smiled and shook my head, then the door opened revealing Jameson.

 "Don't forget your Hawthorne." he said smiling, 

I walked over and kissed him on the cheek. "It's hard to forget Hawthornes in tuxedos," I told him, a smile pulling at my lips as I walked to join him. "Tonight is going to be my kind of affair." We were calling it the Countdown Party. Like New Year's Eve, Xander had said, making his pitch for the festivities, but at midnight, Avery's a billionaire! Jameson held out a hand, palm up. I took it, our fingers intertwining, the tip of my index finger grazing a small scar on the inside of his.

"Lead the way Heiress." Avery nodded walking out of the room. We followed her into The Sculpture Garden.

"The sculpture garden. And what will we be doing in the sculpture garden?" he asked, an appropriate amount of suspicion in his tone.  

"The name of the game is Hide and Go Soak." Wearing a brilliant-blue tuxedo that looked like it belonged on the red carpet and holding what had to be the world's biggest water gun, Xander was truly in his element. "The objective: utter aqua domination."

Avery's Pov

 Five minutes later, I ducked behind a bronze sculpture of Theseus and the Minotaur. Libby was already back there, squatting on the ground, her vintage 1950s dress bunched up around her thighs. 

"How are you feeling?" Libby asked me, keeping her voice low. "Big night." 

I peeked out around the Minotaur's haunches, then retreated again. "Right now, I'm feeling hunted." I grinned. "How are you?" 

"Ready." Libby looked down at the water balloons she held in each hand—and at her twin tattoos: SURVIVOR on one wrist, and on the other... TRUST.  Footsteps. I braced myself just as Nash scaled Theseus and landed between Libby and me, holding what appeared to be a melted water gun. "Jamie and Gray have joined forces. Xander has a blowtorch. This is never good."  Nash looked to me. "You're still armed. Good. Steady and calm, kid. No mercy." 

Libby leaned around Nash to catch my eyes.  "Remember," she told me, her eyes dancing, "there's no such thing as fighting dirty if you win." I turned my water gun on Nash right as she creamed him with a water balloon. 

At eight, the party moved indoors to the climbing wall. 

At nine, we made our way to the bowling alley. 

At ten, we headed for the pottery—as in, a room with potting wheels and a kiln.

By the time eleven o'clock rolled around and we made our way down the labyrinthine halls of Hawthorne House to the arcade, our gowns and tuxes had been soaked, ripped, and spattered with clay. I was exhausted, sore, and filled with an exhilaration that defied description.