“I don’t care how we’re dressed, as long as we do it together.”
My heart grows about ten sizes. Solely to make room for the feelings I have for her.
Throwing the dress over her shoulder, she grins, and I know there’ll never be anyone else for me. “Tell me exactly what to wear.”
twenty-three
LOCKE
We take no morethan five steps out of the ride share, and two guys have already thrown smug looks at Rosie. It’s barely two steps further before she locks our fingers together and smiles at me like I’m the only person in the world.
I was right about the dress. The leather fabric hugs every intricate curve of her body and accentuates the beauty of her figure. I haven’t been able to focus on anything all night.
It doesn’t help that she’s dressed to matchme. While she put her hair in a bun, and pushed it back with a gold headband, I dug out my only green suit and red tie. We managed to throw together a last-minute costume of my favorite anime’s main characters.
My girl is the most stunning person here, and she’s dressed as my fictional wife. I’ve been to many high-profile events before, but I don’t think I’ve ever felt this good showing up.
People continue to stare. Their eyes all tell the same story—Rosie is the star. Rosalie is who they want to be or be with.
I don’t think there’s anybody, or anything else, more beautiful than her. In mind, in body, in spirit. I expect other people to want her. I can’t imagine being in her presence and not yearning for whatever she’s willing to give.
“Lil says they’re inside, come on.”
Rosie tugs me through the throngs of intoxicated people littering the sidewalk. I can’t hear her voice over the chaos of drunk friends in Halloween costumes, but whatever she says gets us past the long line of people waiting.
Outside is chaotic, but inside is pulsing. Shoulder-to-shoulder, people press themselves into dances and smirks and conversations. The song blasting through the building is high-tempo. It’s unlike anything I’d put on my playlist, but Rosie starts laughing and dancing immediately, caught in the joy of being out and about. I decide this is my new favorite song.
I let her lead me through the crowd. I focus on her throughout, and how happy I am to see her in this environment. My instinct is to move quietly into a corner, but seeing Rosie so full of life is too enchanting to miss.
Confidently, like she knows every in and out of this club, she tugs my arm to a booth where our friends are seated.
“Holy shit!” Rosie shouts excitedly. “I can’t believe I’m seeing Liliana Kahale in a club!”
Everyone laughs. Liliana’s halo shifts when her head ducks, Grant drops his prop whisk to cover his mouth, and I can see Derek’s stomach shaking from under his open baseball jersey.
“Enjoy it while you can. This is the first and last.” Liliana points in emphasis and takes a swig from her water bottle.
“No alcohol?”
She motions over her shoulder and to the guys. “I’m sober for tonight, remember?”
There are already two empty beer bottles next to Derek’s opened one, and Grant’s dark brown liquor takes up less than acentimeter of his glass. I’m not sure what kind of drinks they sell at a club, or how a bar works when your dad isn’t catering the whole thing, but Rosalie squeezes my hand and has the answer to all my questions.
“You like gin and tonic right?” I nod. It’s the only drink I’ve ever triednotfrom the pressure of my father, and I think I’ve told her the story once. Rosie smiles. “Give me ten minutes tops. I’ll grab our drinks.”
“I’ll come with you.”
Before I can make a move to follow her, she lays a soft hand on my chest. “It’s okay, I got it.” Her voice drops, leaning in so only I can hear. “I want you to hang out with the boys a little. Some guy bonding, you know?”
I glance over at the table. Derek and Grant are in a tight discussion—one that not even Liliana has a foot in—and I rearrange my glasses.
“Don’t be nervous. You’re capable of a dude-bro convo with your brother and his best friend.”
She laughs. It eases the tension in my neck just enough to be manageable.
“You’re right. I am.” I encourage myself. I sound more assertive than I feel, but Rosalie’s squeeze on my forearm helps ease the nerves.
The group’s attention goes to her when she yells over the music, “Alright, friends! I’m going to the bar. If I’m not back in ten minutes, come find me.”
