When the Heart Falls(131)

Holding out my pinky finger, I roll my eyes, and give in. "I guess, since you are still dating Duke, you didn't technically break your promise."

Jenifer holds her hand up like a gangster. "'Cause I'm sneaky that way, bitch."

I can't help but crack a smile. "Friends." I rise from the bed and smooth my blanket out in an attempt to make it. "Always."

Jenifer squeals with happiness. "So does this mean you're coming?"

"Maybe." The idea of a party still has less than zero appeal for me. "What'll we be doing?"

Jenifer swings a blanket in front of her like a cape. "Dressing up. It's a costume party."

"I don't know. I do have my book." I glance at my laptop, which mocked me all night long with its blinking cursor and white screen. I have a love/hate relationship with it at the moment, meaning it hates me and I hate it and, well, okay, maybe just a hate/hate relationship.

"You can bring Cade," she says. "The two of you can come together. Then, if it gets boring, you can just leave with him."

The thought of spending the evening with Cade, dressing up, makes me smile. "That actually sounds like fun."

"So you'll come?"

"Yeah, I'll come. If Cade agrees."

Jenifer heads for the door, then stops and turns back to me. "You know, I was wrong about you." She tilts her head and winks. "You may have a party girl in you after all."



"Hey girl, get your ass out here, already." Jenifer's voice carries through the changing room. "I want to see the new look."

The starched material presses against my skin, a bit itchy, but one look in the full-length mirror and it's worth it. I can't wait to see the looks on their faces, especially Jenifer. Butterflies dance in my stomach as I smooth my overly-hairsprayed hair and step out to show my friend the costume I picked.

Jenifer, dressed as a cat girl—if you can call the tiny bits of fabric plastered to her body a costume—bursts out laughing.

"You like it?" This is me, claiming my own power for once. The silver and blue gown hugs my curves and flares at the waist with sparkling rhinestones patterned around the skirt like shooting stars. Silver body-glitter makes my pale skin shimmer when light moves over it. Even my black hair has been sprayed with glitter. Red lips the color of blood and a delicate silver tiara complete the look.

Jenifer smiles. "You're an Ice Queen. It's epic. I love it!"

I straighten my spine and pose in my most regal way. "I'm not an Ice Queen. I am The Ice Queen. Bow before me bitch."

With a sweeping bow, Jenifer swears fealty, and we both laugh.

"Where's Cade?" I ask.

Jenifer gestures to the other changing room. "Still getting ready. He's worse than a girl."

I knock on his door. "Come on. It's your turn."

"Don't rush perfection," Cade says from behind the door.

We all kept our costumes a secret, and I'm dying to see what he chose. When he walks out, I suck in my breath. This is the second time I've seen him without a shirt, but this time he's not just shirtless, he's got his cowboy boots and cowboy hat on, a fake gun slung around his waist, but his jeans. Oh my. His jeans are tight. Like, I-can-see-everything tight. And. Just. Wow. Unless he stuffed something down his pants, he's… impressive.

I wish I had real ice stuffed in my dress, because it just got really hot, and I'm struck by the urge to pull off my clothes to cool down.

Cade clears his throat, and I realize everyone is looking at me. "Is it that bad?" he asks.

I blush, hopping he can't read my thoughts. "No, not bad. Nope. It's… great. I love it."

He fidgets in his pants. "That's good, because I might have to cut these off before the end of the night. My boys can't breathe."

Jenifer scrunches up her face. "Doesn't he look the same as always?"



Jenifer wasn't kidding about Avenue des Champs-élysées being crammed full of people. It's almost impossible to walk as we push our way through the crowd. It reminds me of New York during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, but in French.

"The party is at the end of the street," Jenifer says, pointing. She grabs my hand to pull me along, and I reach for Cade, who clasps onto me. People are shouting and whooping and throwing firecrackers on the street. It's insane. The energy of the group becomes its own living thing, vibrant and organic. It wraps around us, embracing us. A group of people spin around in a circle, some with masks and funky hats, others dressed normally. Before I know what's happening, we're a part of their circle, spinning and laughing, and I'm truly happy without drugs or alcohol or anything but the experience of being human.

I can't remember the last time I had so much fun.

The circle breaks up and people go their own way, leaving Cade and I facing each other, both out of breath. We smile at each other, and the world once again narrows on his face, his eyes, his mouth. The one kiss we've shared is a memory I keep at the front of my mind, bringing it to the surface of my thoughts when I want to feel that heat and desire again. I feel that now, looking at him, wondering if we'll kiss like that again, hoping we will.

Our spell shatters when someone dodges through the crowd and swipes Cade's hat off his head.