“Luce,” I exclaimed, seeing her for the first time. “You look gorgeous.”
At some point during my torture, she’d found time to get ready. Her wavy hair had been straightened. She was wearing a strapless blue dress which matched the color of her eyes. They looked even bluer than normal. As she moved, the chiffon lace sheath swished around her legs.
“How have you had time to get ready and help me?”
She rolled her eyes. “Making you look beautiful is not exactly a difficult thing.”
I groaned. It had certainly felt difficult.
We made it into my wardrobe. Lucy grabbed my dress from the hanger. I had chosen a simple black silk. Hand-tailored to fit me, it was all kinds of stunning. Stepping into the tightly fitted sheath and adjusting the bodice, I slipped the halter over my neck. For the first time I had cleavage and I was a bit proud of it. It even covered the pink scar on my chest.
Lucy zipped me up before handing me a pair of killer black heels. And killer was right. After two minutes in these five-inch stilettos, I’ll probably have broken my neck.
Sighing, I took them. I’d put them on downstairs.
“Are you going to check out our hard work before we head down?” She had no problem stomping around in her own heels.
Screwing up my nose, I shook my head. I wasn’t ready to face a mirror. I wasn’t ready to turn eighteen. I just needed everything to slow down. I could see the backpack, ready for our adventure the next day. Code name: save the world.
“No, I trust you and we’re already late.” I needed air and to wash my face. But if I did that Lucy would knock me out for sure. We left my room and headed down the hall.
“So, do you think Brace is going to be here tonight?”
Most of the time I managed to avoid talking about him. Now if I could just stop thinking about him, I’d be set. I kept reliving his expression as he broke Olden’s neck, the panic I read in his eyes as he dropped beside me. His soft words in my ears … gah.
Lucy walked smoothly, despite her own six-inch heels. “Sam mentioned that Deralick and Quarn should be here tonight, but I’m not sure of Brace.”
“He’s just so different from my dream, Luce. I never thought it would be this complicated.”
She smiled knowingly. “Of course he’s different. You had a one-dimensional view of a fictional character. I know you enjoyed the mystery and even a little the pain as he was wrenched away from you each night, but this is real life. He’s flesh and blood, with emotions and issues of his own. You need to take the time to get to know him.”
Her insight was a refreshing change from her usual suggestive comments.
“You’re different since your kidnapping.”
Her eyes twinkled. “It’s not just the time on Earth. It’s Sam.”
I came to a grinding halt at her suggestive tone. “Are you saying – you and Sam – like did the deed? Went the whole hog?”
She laughed. “Seriously? The whole hog. One would think we were farm animals. How am I supposed to use those mental pictures the next time I’m with all the hotness that’s Sammy?”
“I want to scrub my eyes, ears and mouth out. Brother, remember?”
Continuing to chuckle, she dragged me along the hall again. “Speaking of sexy, have I told you how much I’m ‘in love hearting’ your marks?”
She hadn’t stopped gushing about them since I’d revealed them to her the other day. She’d already known the basics about the Walkers from Samuel. But seeing the real thing had impressed her.
“They’re just gorgeous. It’s like a frame was made to showcase your unfairly advantageous beauty.”
I laughed. As she took my arm, her expression was calculated. We paused at the landing outside the ballroom.
“You ready, Abbs?”
I attempted to pat my hair, which appeared to be piled on my head in an elaborate up-do, and Lucy snatched at my hand.
“Starting to regret not checking the mirror before you left?”
Oh, that was just evil. I grabbed at her arm as she stepped away, stalling my inevitable entrance into the ballroom.
“I’m scared to see him, Luce.” I shared the unshakable fears I held deep in my heart. “He just doesn’t feel the connection.” My heart was heavy with a multitude of regret and despair.
“Who? Dumb-ass, hot-ass?” She raised her eyebrows, her nose wrinkled. “Abbs, come on. Don’t you see the way Brace looks at you?”
My eyes swung around to stare at her. She’d never mentioned this to me before.
“Like you’re the last piece of forbidden fruit in the bowl.” A slow grin ensued. “He wants you, to pick you, taste you, eat–”
“I get your point, Lucy.” I interrupted her drily. I stood there contemplating her words.
She leaned in closer. “He feels it. Something holds him back, Abbs, but he definitely feels it.”