Viktor had convinced us to drink vodka rather than dark liquor tonight. He was fairing just fine, but Phoebe and I were pink in the cheeks, giggling like schoolgirls as we aimlessly picked through clothes.
I laughed at him as I walked over to Phoebe, who held up another dress.
“What about this one?”
“Viktor, is blue a yes or no?” I asked, turning toward him as I held the dress up to my body.
“Any color would look just fine.” He sighed, leaning back as he reclined on the love seat, though his legs were too long and hung off the arm.
“That’s not true,” Phoebe scolded. “Nobody looks good in orange.”
I rolled my eyes and handed the dress back to her.
When I turned, the darkness of the foyer was ever imposing. It was endless, expanding on forever if I did not let my eyes adjust.
That was when I saw him—that unmistakable outline of a body by the kitchen window across the hall. I was right about him not interacting when people were over, but now that I knew he was here, I could not let anyone leave.
I was still angry with my Creature.
“Let me see that one.” I pointed lazily at a red dress.
“Red? Are you sure?” Phoebe mumbled.
“Why not? I’m feeling a little adventurous,” I joked. “Viktor?”
Upon hearing his name, he sat up like a puppy, standing at attention.
Viktor watched curiously, that same wonder in his gaze, like how he’d looked at the plants in the garden. He was holdingmein the same regard. It was a new feeling, knowing that two men were looking at me like that, though I was sure I would be getting grief about it later from one in particular.
Phoebe held the red dress against my skin, trying to see how it would look before deciding if she should let me try it on.
“What do you think of red?” I asked Viktor.
He kept his eyes on mine, not even bothering to look at the dress. “Nothing could compare,” he said simply.
“You didn’t look.”
“I don’t have to.” He grinned.
“Cheeky.” I flicked a brow at him and glanced behind me, the familiar specter displaced from the spot he was before. A victorious smile spread as I turned back to Viktor and Phoebe. “You both should stay here tonight. I fear I have developed a habit of injury when I’m inebriated.”
“It is amusing that you thought I wasn’t going to stay with or without your permission.” Phoebe laughed, gathering my previous dress and handing it to me.
“Shall I let you two go, then?” Viktor asked.
“No, you’ll sleep here too. Besides, who else will carry me up all those stairs? Surely not Phoebe,” I joked.
“I’m afraid that would be improper, but I know that Phoebe is stronger than she looks. I am sure she could do it easily.” He laughed, standing from the couch and stretching. “I will see myself out—but I will telephone you in the morning to see how the hangover is faring.”
I did not remember him leaving, but I remembered Phoebe closing the door behind him. Then the two of us stumbled up to the third floor to my bedroom.
I rolled onto the bed in my dizzy state.
Phoebe tugged the sheets away and crawled in with me.
“So?” Phoebe hummed, rolling onto her stomach beside me in bed. “Keeping that one around?”
“Maybe.” I rolled my eyes at her. “I haven’t decided yet.”
