UnEnchanted (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale #1)(53)

“Mom! How do I look?” Mina called out in a last minute effort to fix any stray curls that had come lose from their bobby pins.

“You look beautiful,” Sara came over and gave her daughter a kiss on her cheek. “Please Mina, be careful tonight.”

“I will.” Mina knew her mother was worried and she was herself. That’s why Mina was grateful that the Grimoire was so slim because she was able to tuck it between her body and the corset. It was cinched in tight that no one would discern the outline and she would never be without help if needed. She had whispered and coaxed the book into an even smaller slimmer form with no spiral to fit in her bodice. A knock came at the door and Charlie ran to open it. His mouth dropped in shock and he backed away pulling the door open so Brody could step through. Mina froze mid-step as his tall form entered the kitchen. Brody looked deadly. He wore leather bracers, leather vest and brown pants tucked into tall leather boots. Strapped to his chest was a belt of knives and on his back an actual bow and arrow. Brody was literally armed to the teeth and he looked hot.

Brody stumbled when he caught sight of Mina in her red dress. He couldn’t believe she was able to find something that covered so much but still looked sexy. He felt his heart skip a beat and his mouth go dry. Never again would he be able to look at another girl the same. He had thought her beautiful before, but now that word seemed boring and watered down in comparison to the vision she was at this moment. He was going to have a problem keeping the other guys from her, he was just lucky that Mina didn’t see how special and beautiful she really was.

“Are they real?” Mina asked reaching out to touch the daggers in the bandolier and was a little disappointed when they bent easily.

“No, I wouldn't be able to get real ones past security,” he chuckled.

Mina felt another familiar tingling sensation that spread throughout her body letting her know that tonight was definitely going to be a storybook ending one way or another.

When Brody and Mina were on the landing and had shut the door, he stopped to admire her.

“Why did you stop?” She was holding onto Brody’s arm and her other was gripping layers of her dress so she wouldn’t trip going down the stairs.

“I wanted a moment with you alone.”

“Is something wrong?” she asked. Worried that he knew something was coming as much as she did.

Brody reached up and caressed her face. “No, nothing’s wrong, everything is perfect. But with the way Nan talks, this may be our only quiet moment together the rest of the night. Even if we have to suffer Jared’s presence.”

Mina was once again surprised by how well Brody was able to read her mind. She had been nervous about being in the back of a limo alone and their new relationship status. She was nervous that she would somehow resort back to the awkward stage of her friendship and not be able to remain calm, cool, and collected.

“No that’s fine, I’m happy that you invited Nan.” Mina's shoulders slumped at the thought of facing Jared and being shunned.

“But not Jared?” Brody could read the strain in her voice.

“No, I'm glad. Really I am.”

“He was part of the deal. I knew you would want to have Nan close to you and he was just the carry-on luggage.” Brody rubbed his finger along Mina’s jaw and leaned down to kiss her sweetly on the mouth. Mina reached up and drew him closer. He tasted of richness and warmth, Brody wrapped his arms around her and Mina felt safe, secure. Until a loud horn blared from downstairs.

Mina pulled back from the kiss and grinned. “That would be Nan. Her timing is always off, but I am usually the one who’s always running late.”

Brody helped Mina down the stairs and opened the door onto the street. Nan jumped down out of the driver’s seat and addressed the driver, “See, I told you they would come down if I honked.” She ran over to Mina. “Oh my, you look beautiful. I never imagined red looking that good on you, but wow!” Nan wore her hair piled high with blonde ringlets falling down the back of her neck and around her face. She had a flowing white dress and white frost decorating her face and hair; she was obviously the Snow Queen.

Jared stepped out of the limo and Mina clutched onto Brody’s arm. Jared hadn’t dressed as a specific character but the costume he wore suited him as if he wore them all the time. He wore a white Victorian shirt with a tie up collar and silver doublet. Dark black pants tucked into calf high boots. His skin glowed in the darkness but may have been a trick of the light from the neon store fronts. His dark stormy eyes looked like molten silver.

Brody didn’t seem to sense her anxiety and led Mina to the back and opened the door for her to slide in. Mina was so short she actually had problems maneuvering herself and her dress in the car. Nan slid in and moved down toward the drink bar. “Look, sparkling cider.” She opened the cider and poured a few glasses.

Mina took the glass and sipped it cautiously, fully aware of Jared’s direct gaze. Nan handed the drink to Brody who put it in a cup holder. Nan fiddled with the radio stations and finally found a contemporary rock band worth jamming to.

The music seemed a surreal backdrop to Nan bobbing her head in tune with the music, Jared sitting in the black leather seat across from her brooding silently. Brody studied everyone with an intense look.

“Happy Birthday MINA!” Nan yelled out and giggled. Jared’s head flipped to Mina with a look of horror on his face. This was the first time she had made eye contact with him in a week and Jared didn't look pleased. She hadn’t told him that the day she faced one of the scariest tales would also be her birthday. She just hoped it wouldn’t be her last. Mina broke eye contact first and nervously played with a pleat on her skirt.