Right, the lie detector.
Goddammit.
“And since you’re fine and there’s nothing to apologize for, how about we go dress shopping?” Koen reaches out to brush a strand of hair that has slipped out of my ponytail behind my ear, making me shudder at his touch.
What is even happening?
Annabelle clears her throat, her eyes darting between Koen and me. “Sooo… you guys are friends?”
“We’ve met.” I keep my eyes on Koen. “Not sure I’d call us friends, though.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Koen bites his lips to suppress a laugh. “I think we’re getting there, Little Thief.”
I glare at him, but there’s no real heat behind it. “Stop calling me that.”
“Make me,” he replies, the challenge written all over his face.
Levi steps forward then, his eyes flicking to Koen and then to me. “We’re not here to cause trouble. Right, brother?”
“Right, you’re here to take me dress shopping.” I huff, skepticism lacing my tone. “And pray tell, what do I need that dress for?”
Levi glances at Koen again, then back at me. “We’ll explain everything, just not… here.”
“Vague as always. And you know I don’t like that.” I cross my arms tighter, eyeing them both. “So why should I go with you?”
“Because…” Koen steps closer. “You’re already in this, whether you like it or not. And I promise, it’s worth your while.”
I look at him, then at Levi, then back at Annabelle, who’s still staring at the two of them as though they’ve stepped straight out from a movie screen.
Fuck it.
I’ve got nothing better to do.
And it’s not as if I’m committing to anything serious. It’s only a dress, a moment to play pretend. Nothing more. I can handle that. I can still draw the line, stopping it from going further before it could really hurt me.
“Fine. I need a couple of minutes to get ready.”
Levi nods, giving me a reassuring smile. “Take your time.” He walks over to the couch and sits down as if he’s at home, making Annabelle squeal.
“Levi Laneis sitting on our couch!” she whisper-shouts at me, then turns to Levi again. “Where is Pebble?”
“At home. I don’t take her everywhere. It’s too dangerous for her.”
“Right, God, you’re real!” Annabelle squeals again.
I roll my eyes once more, catching the hint of a smile on Koen’s face as I turn and head to my room, where I quickly change into a pair of sweats, figuring I’ll have to get out of them anyway to try on dresses. I take my hair out of my ponytail, grab some dry shampoo, and give it a good spray, then spritz on my vanilla-candy perfume. I add a little bit of makeup and glitter lip gloss, hoping it’s enough to appear put together.
When I’m done, I grab my bag and head back out. Koen is waiting outside my bedroom, his gaze flicking over me as I stepout. “Let’s go,” he murmurs and places a hand on my elbow, guiding me toward the door.
Annabelle is talking Levi’s ear off, her eyes wide with excitement as she gestures animatedly, sitting beside him on the couch. Levi listens, nodding along, clearly amused, but when he sees us, he jumps up from the couch, giving Annabelle a smile. “Thank you for your hospitality, and I can’t wait to see you and your boyfriend at one of our shows.”
“Bye!” Annabelle chuckles, waving at them. “And I’ll hold you to that!”
Koen nudges me out the door, and I glance back at Annabelle, who’s practically glowing while she pulls out her phone.
Good thing I know she can keep shit to herself.
“You know you have to follow through with that, or I’m going to castrate you for disappointing her,” I mutter to Levi as we walk out.
