“That’s true. I suppose most of that drama is my fault. I’msorry, Dorian.”
“Becky, come on. None of it was your fault. Things happen,that’s all. Just be sure to get yourself a proper costume. We takethis event very seriously.”
“I’ll bet you do.” She giggled as he bent down to grab a rollof spider web banners from the shelf. Had it truly only been alittle over a month since she’d moved into the House of Goths? Somuch had happened in such a short time. Some good, some bad. Yetshe wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
Spotting acouple of girls from her dorm heading down the aisle, Becky turnedto greet them. The two girls didn’t even acknowledge her tentativesmile. They simply walked past her and Dorian like they didn’texist. Off they went, giggling and pointing at different items ondisplay, probably planning a party of their own.
“You know them, Becky?” Dorian asked, having noticed herfollowing the girls with her eyes.
She noddedsolemnly. “From the dorm.”
“Never mind, eh. You’re better off with us now, aren’t you?” hesaid, happily draping his arm around her.
Becky beamed athis affirmation. “So much better off!” She was indeed most gratefulthat she no longer resided at that miserable soul destroyingplace.
***
“Spooky,” Becky exclaimed in a husky whisper, seeing the guysall dressed in their various vampire costumes. Crispin was, ofcourse, a Victorian inspired vamp, complete with cape and fangs.Kelley looked incredibly sexy in his Civil War militia version ofthe undead, and not to be ignored, Dorian looked like apost-apocalyptic vampire, goggles, gas mask and all.
“What are you supposed to be?” Crispin asked, clutchingdramatically at his chest.
“Can’t you tell?” Kelley said, stepping forward, catching herunder the arms, lifting her and exuberantly spinning her around.“She’s a fairy princess.”
“Kelley…” she sputtered, blushing at his unexpected gesture.He’d been hovering around her the last few days. She could tellthat he wanted to say something to her ever since the unfortunateevent the other night at the pub. She could have put him out of hismisery with a reassuring word but instead, she’d let him wallow inworry. She kind of liked having the upper hand for achange.
“Yes, love?” he groaned, holding her against him, herstockinged feet dangling in the air. God, he’d missed that. The wayshe said his name. How long had it been? Too long as far as he wasconcerned. The little imp sure knew how to hold agrudge.
“Put me down,” she said with a hearty chuckle, her hands oneither side of his made up face. Costume bruises and scarsdecorated his otherwise handsome features. Dark circles smudgedunder his ebony eyes, white powder on his cheeks, making him lookimpossibly paler than usual.
“I don’t know if want to just yet,” he said, giving her asqueeze, taking the opportunity to hold her in his armsagain.
“Fairy princess, indeed,” Crispin said with a disapprovingshake of his head, hands on hips. “This is a Halloween party, not abirthday party for adolescent girls.”
“Prickly…” She smirked at him, waving her magic wand in hisdirection. “Watch it or I’ll turn you into a grumpy oldtoad.”
“You’d better step off, Crisp. I believe she means business,”Kell said, setting her down on her feet.
“Dress her up all you want, but she’ll always be a silly littledormouse,” Crispin retorted with a rueful smile.
Dorian couldn’thelp but laugh before turning around to answer the knock on thegarage door. The first of their guests had just arrived.
Chapter 25
Becky soon lostcount of how many zombies, witches, and vampires arrived for theparty. She realized then just how out of place her choice ofcostume had been. Crispin was right, a fairy princess, indeed. Whathad she been thinking?
The carriagehouse had been transformed into the perfect venue for such a spookyparty. With the only source of light coming from strategicallyplaced vintage lanterns, the space took on a convincingly creepyambiance. Dorian had done an amazing job on the decorations. Therewas alcohol aplenty and various snacks to be had. Loud droning Gothmusic vibrated throughout. Clusters of guests gathered around indifferent corners of the cavernous space. Some lucky couples weredancing to the current slow song. Others lingered by the frothypunch bowl.
Not knowinganyone well enough to approach them, Becky leaned quietly againstthe counter that lined the back wall of the garage. Once in a whileone of her housemates would come over and check on her. For themost part, the guys blended in with the other costumed guests sowell that Becky lost track of them in the crowded room.
She was juststarting to think she would spend the entire evening in her owncompany when suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder. She startledwhen she didn’t initially recognize the tall male wearing a veryintimidating mask.
“Becks, it’s only me,” Jax said, flipping the mask over hishead, looking around covertly.
Becky frownedat him, not having expected to ever see him ever again. “Jax, whatare you doing here?”
“Listen, can we go somewhere and talk?” he said with anapprehensive look around the room.
“You shouldn’t be here. If Kelley or Crisp…”
“I know. They’d kill me. That’s why I wore this mask,” he said,pulling it back down over his eyes. “Please, Becky, can we gooutside maybe?”
“Why?” Oh, bother, did he have to look so handsome underneaththat mask? Why was she even talking to him? Hadn’t he just dumpedher the other week?
“Because I made a mistake,” he said, taking her hand in his.“I… I was wrong.”
“Fine, but only for a minute,” she said, giving into thecharming Goth.
Once outside inthe backyard, Jax finally relaxed enough to take off his mask.“God, Becky you look beautiful in that outfit,” he said with awolfish grin, roaming his eyes up and down her shapely body.
She looked goodenough to eat. Perhaps he could do this waiting thing. As long asshe didn’t make him wait too long before allowing him into thoselovely iridescent tights.
“What do you want, Jax?” she asked, her belly doing odd littleflip flops at his compliment. Apparently
