“Uh, we just said surprise,” Laura chipped in as Katy started talking.
“We’re here because one, we’re going to celebrate your new job overnight.”
Yeah, I told them that.
“We brought our things,” Jade quickly said. My mouth was yet to close.
“Two, we’re attending the Fright Fest Frenzy tomorrow night because Laura got invited. A lot of people we know from school will be there. Why didn’t you tell us about it?”
“Y'all owe me one.” I heard Laura say.
“Fright Fest Frenzy?” Someone mentioned it in the café one time. Not just one person. Most young people were talking about it and what they would wear. “We’re going to dress in costumes? But I don’t have any.”
“Oh, girl. Like we didn’t know. We came fully prepared for you.” Laura took the phone from Katy and turned it to show me the white car parked in front of my house. “You have a lot to choose from. And where the fuck are you? Your door is locked.”
I sent Theon who didn’t seem to be enjoying our conversation a sidelong glance. His plan for us to stay in bed had just been dragged through the mud.
“Going for a walk,” I said, flicking the camera towards him briefly.
“Holy shit,” Laura mouthed and handed the phone over to a smiling Katy.
“I can’t wait to see the rock on your finger, Katy. How did he let you leave his side?”
She giggled. “I’ll be leaving by Saturday anyway.”
“Take your time with your walk, okay? We’ll be here waiting. Also, your place is jaw dropping. I bet these decorations look fire at night.” Jade collected and spun the phone to show me my front yard.
“Right. That’s what I’m thinking.” Laura was crouched next to a plastic witch’s cauldron, fiddling with one of the small skeletons that leaned against it.
“Okay, well. We’ll see you when you get here. Regards to...Theon,” Katy said, then cut the call.
I slipped my phone into my pocket slowly, a little apprehensive. “That was very...impromptu.”
When I looked up at Theon, I immediately regretted glancing his way. His expression was a thundercloud—eyes narrowed, lips pressed into a thin line, and his jaw clenched so hard I half-expected to hear a crack. The sleepover my friends had just planned? It was clearly the last thing he wanted. His plans for us today—involving staying wrapped in each other, undisturbed—were shot. What was worse? They’d be here until Saturday. And there was no way I’d leave them in my place alone to stay with him. I wished I could, but I couldn’t do that to my friends, and he knew. Definitely why he wasn’t convincing me.
“You’re going to the party?” He looked down at me.
“Yeah, of course. You’re coming? You should.”
“There’ll be a lot of sweaty assholes there, and I’m keeping my promise about killing anyone who touches you, Ainsley.”
He was dead-ass serious.
“That’s why I said you should come. No one will touch me if we’re together.”
He stared down at me for a long moment, his dark eyes narrowing slightly as if he was weighing the consequences of stepping into a room filled with people he’d rather not deal with.
“Fine,” he said finally, his voice a low growl. “But if anyone so much as looks at you wrong, they’re out. You know that, right?”
I couldn’t help but smile, even though it frightened me. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
Before I could say anything else, he pulled me into him, his arms sliding around my waist, firm and possessive. I tilted my head up to meet his gaze, and there was that familiar intensity—like I was the only thing that mattered in the world to him.
My heart pounded in my chest as I rested my head against his chest. I was truly happy, a rare feeling that made me feel lighter than I had in years. The thought of him being there at the party with me...it was oddly comforting, even though the possessiveness in his words should scare me. It did, but it made me feel secure more than it scared me.
We walked down the street together, and I couldn’t help but laugh softly, my mind drifting to the absurdity of imagining him in some ridiculous Halloween costume. He’d probably wear a mask. Although he didn’t need one. He was already terrifying enough.
I looked up at him, a soft smile still on my lips. “I’m really happy you’re coming.”
