Page 76 of A Sin So Pure

“Well enough.” Nora shrugs, but the look in her eyes holds a darkness I can’t place. She takes a deep breath, letting out a languid sigh. “I don’t want to talk about him anymore. I want to enjoy the rest of the night with you and our friends.” Then, a devilish smirk spreads across her cheeks. “I should be home by Solstice though.”

“Oh yeah?” I say slowly, following her train of thought.

“Mhm,” she hums. “And I can think of theperfectpresent to unwrap when I get back.”

We laugh, fingers still intertwined, and the colorful notes spread warmth through me.

“Are you sure you don’t want a ride home?” I ask Leo.

He waves me off.

“It’s good. Hattie and I are going to one of Envy’s clubs,” he says, arm slung around the tiny blond.

“We want to dance,” Hattie says with a little shimmy.

“Alright,” I laugh. “Be safe, then.”

“Thanks,Ma,” Leo snickers. But before I can smack his arm, Hattie shadow-walks them out of the lobby with a giggle goodbye.

Nora comes back from settling the tab and pauses. “They already left?”

“Apparently we are too boring for them,” I say solemnly.

Nora chuffs.

“Josie should be back from the restroom shortly. Why don’t you wait for her while I grab the car from the valet?”

“Okay.”

Nora places a kiss on my cheek before hopping into the elevator.

The metal doors slide shut; they are elaborate golden panels that contrast the dark jade paint on the walls. I run my hand over the cool metal, tracing the filigree designs, both geometric and floral at the same time.

It’s not more than a few minutes before I feel a presence at my side.

“Hi,” Josie says.

“Hi.”

A beat passes between us as we both stare at the elevator.

“Everything will be okay, you know,” Josie says, sticking her hands into the pockets of her coat.

“Why do you say that?” I ask.

Josie shifts next to me, and I know that if she didn’t have her mental shields locked tight, I’d catch a whiff of embarrassment floating off her. She doesn’t look at me as she speaks, instead analyzing the elevator doors as if they’re the most interestingthing in the world. I shouldn’t judge, though; I was doing the same thing.

“You seemed concerned when Nora mentioned her trip.” Josie shrugs. “I wanted to reassure you. I know Silas isn’t your favorite.”

I tilt my head at her, a smile tugging at my lips. She still doesn’t meet my eyes. “Reading my mind?”

“No, your shields are ironclad. I can just tell.”

“Empath’s curse,” I commiserate, earning me a delicate snort from Josie.

“My mother certainly thought so,” she says. “She thought it a burden for me to know everyone’s business. Would’ve much rather had me wield shadows like them.”

I turn toward Josie in earnest, leaning my shoulder into the framing of the elevator as I cross my arms over my chest.

---