I give her an incredulous look. “What?”

She laughs. “Relax. I’m just kidding. My father gave it to me for my eighteenth birthday. He tries to compensate for missing every important milestone in my life with lavish and expensive gifts.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I haven’t spent that much time with the man to miss him, and I get to reap the benefits of his guilty conscience. It’s a win-win situation for me.”

Hardly. But I keep my opinion to myself.

I grew up around wealth. My family is well-to-do, but here in LA, it’s all about wealth excess. No one in my private school back in Italy drove a Ferrari. Although if they did, they’d flaunt it, unlike Valerie. I couldn’t tell her family came from money by the way she acts in school. She’s super laid back and doesn’t flash designer accessories—something I’m guilty of.

When we arrive at Robbie’s house in Beverly Hills, the party is already going at full speed. From outside the gates, we can hear a live band playing a song I don’t recognize but makes my bones want to dance.

“Have you ever met Robbie’s parents?” I ask Valerie.

“Oh yeah. A few times. Monica Santos is the birthday girl. She owns a real estate business that caters to all the A-listers in the city. Tessa Donavan is an executive for a TV network.”

“Talk about power couple.” I eye the small box I got from Cartier, a suggestion from Robbie when I asked. “I hope she likes my gift.”

“Oh, I’m sure.”

I see a few people from school as I follow Valerie deeper into the party. Phillip, Harold, and even Josh are here. We don’t stop to chat until we find the hosts though. Finally, we spot Robbie in the living room, wearing a velvet peacock-blue suit and equally bright pink button-down shirt.

“Chiara! You’re here. Finally.” He engulfs me in a hug.

“Hello to you too, jerkface.” Valerie scowls.

He waves her off. “Pff, you practically live here.” With his arm over my shoulders, he turns me around. “Mom and Mom, this is Chiara Moretti, the new transplant from Italy.”

Two gorgeous women stare at me. One has luscious dark hair that cascades down her back and a deep tan that’s accentuated by her skintight white dress, emphasizing her luscious curves. The second is fair and freckled and has red hair that matches Robbie’s tone. She’s wearing a less revealing dark green dress and seems more reserved than her wife. I can easily guess who is from Brazil, but I don’t want to assume and end up sounding like an ass.

The brunette hugs me enthusiastically. Definitely the Brazilian.

She takes a step back. “Welcome. I’m Monica, and this is my wife, Tessa.”

“Nice to meet you. Here, this is for you.” I offer Monica the small box. “Happy birthday.”

“Oh, thank you, sweetie.”

Robbie hooks his arm with mine. “All right. Introductions were made. I’m going to show Chiara around now.”

He steers me away from his mothers faster than a speeding train, surprising me.

“Where’s the fire?” I ask.

“I had to get away from them. They were getting on my nerves.”

“About what?”

“Stuff.” He waves his hand dismissively. “Let’s find the rest of the DuBose gang.”

“We saw Phillip, Harold, and Josh earlier,” Valerie pipes up, trailing behind us.

A raven-haired girl steps in our way with a bright smile on her face. Robbie has to stop suddenly to avoid barreling into her.

“Hi, Robbie,” she says in an overly sweet tone.

“Hey, Jillian. What’s up?”

There’s no mistaking the coldness in his voice. She’s our age, but I haven’t seen her at DuBose.

“Not much. I just got here.” She glances at me and Valerie. “I see you invited some people from school. I’m raging mad that you didn’t invite me.”

She says it with a grin on her face, but her eyes are shining with annoyance.

God. Who the hell is this chick?

“You’re here, aren’t you?”

She pouts. “Yeah, I came with Dad.”

He shrugs. “I figured I didn’t need to bother inviting you since Principal Forrester was on the guest list.”

Her phony smile wilts, and then she turns to me. “You’re the new student from Italy, right?”

“Yep. That’s me.”

“Good job catching the eye of our QB. I could have sworn he was gay because I’ve never seen him with anyone. I mean, with any girl.”

What the hell is she implying? If Phillip is gay, so what? I just met this girl, and I already don’t like her.

Robbie scoffs. “Really, Jillian? You’ve been at this party for five seconds and you’re already talking shit. And you wonder why I didn’t invite you. Come on, Chiara. Let’s continue the tour.”

He walks around her, taking me with him.

“That was so rude, Robbie,” Jillian complains behind us.

“So, that’s the principal’s daughter?” I ask after we’re out of earshot.

“Yep. The biggest gossipy bitch in school. I hate her.”

“I just met her and I’m with you on that.”

“No one really likes her, not even her friends. They stay close out of fear. The bitch has destroyed more lives with her forked tongue than Daenerys Targaryen with her dragon.”

We finally find the guys, who greet us with overexaggerated cheers. They look drunk already, even Josh. And here I thought he was so serious and responsible.

With a goofy smile, he hugs me. “Chiara, glad you made it.”