Page 21 of Starfall

Rowen walked up to her and took her hands. “Please, please, please.”

Gabi sighed. “I owe you.”

“You don’t.” She turned her head and looked at her friend.

“I do. You made my life fun again. I had forgotten what it was like just to have people want to hang around me for my filthy mouth and wicked brain.”

“Well, you did know all the swear words.” Emery wrinkled her nose.

Gabi smiled. “Come on. Take the dress. I will consider it advertising for the shop as we are definitely going to get some business off this.”

Merwin smiled. “I had no idea what that dress would be used for, but it looks so perfect on you.”

“Right. What about shoes?”

Merwin grinned and darted off into the shop. She emerged with two long tubes with deadly heels. “You seem like a boot gal.”

“I am, but... Rowen, I need my hands.”

He sighed. “I was hoping you wouldn’t notice.”

“Of course. No one would notice someone your size dangling from their hands like a bracelet charm.”

He smiled and kissed her knuckles before letting her go.

The boots were rich brown and had four-inch heels. “I don’t need to be taller.”

Gabi chuckled. “It might come in handy.”

Emery frowned. “Why?”

Rowen had moved to lean against a wall and pointed at himself.

“Oh. Yeah, this would increase elevation.” She bent and put the boots on, straightening slowly.

She was close to six and a half feet tall, which still put her at eight inches shorter than Rowen.

Gabi whistled. “Yeah, that will do. We just need to get you to the salon while Rowen changes into his eveningwear, and you are ready for the party. It starts before sundown and goes until dawn, so we need to be there by four thirty.”

“What time is it?”

Merwin smiled. “Three. I have called the salon, and it is a quick walk next door, so we are going to get you on your way.”

“Dressed like this?”

Gabi smiled. “Of course not. Ladies of my court get a cloak.”

Rowen asked a good question. “Can you move around on those heels?”

“I can. Not a problem.”

She stepped toward him and twirled. “See?”

He nodded. “Trust me, I am watching.”

Emery looked to Gabi and Merwin. “Thank you for the dress.”

Gabi smiled. “Our pleasure.”

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