Page 64 of I'm Not in Love (I Promise)

“Fun.” He gets up to grab our clothes. “You want to eat in here? Breakfast in bed?”

The thought is so sweet, but I’d much rather be with everyone. “No, it’s okay. I’m ready to get up.”

We eat the rubbery pancakes and bacon, while Jasper and Falin continue to argue. It’s wildly entertaining. If Jasper think’s he’s going to get to Falin, he has another thing coming. Leon’s in a good mood too, smiling more than I’ve seen since I met him. When I look at the guys, I still get flushed thinking about them watching us the other night. They haven’t said anything about it, so I’ve felt weird bringing it up. I’d have to know what I want anyway, which I don’t. So it’s best to leave it be, a hot memory that makes me clench my thighs from time to time.

“What do you want to do today?” Damon asks as he swallows a bite of pancake. “Anything you want, it’s yours.”

“We’re going shopping this afternoon,” Falin cuts in. “We need to find the perfect outfits for the show later.”

“Show?” Damon asks.

“Yeah, I forgot to tell you. Falin got us tickets for this haunted burlesque show tonight. It looks fun. Maybe there’s still tickets available if you guys want to come.”

Falin raises her brows. “Nope, no way. This is girls night. I know it’s your birthday, Blakey, but tonight is all ours.”

I shrug and mouthsorryto the guys.

Damon narrows his gaze at her. “What exactly goes on at a haunted burlesque show?”

“No idea. That’s part of the fun. There’s a dress code though, thus the need for costumes. You think you can give us one day, lover boy? If it makes you feel better, give me your gun. I can keep Blake safe.” Falin leans back in her chair, making direct eye contact with Damon. Long enough that even I start to get uncomfortable.

Then again, I’m not one for confrontation.

Damon rubs his chin and we share a look. “Enjoy girls day.” He goes into his wallet and pulls out a few bills, handing them to Falin. “Whatever Blake wants, she gets.”

I almost spit my water across the table. “Damon, you don’t?—”

“Blake.” From the way his eyes blaze, I know there’s no arguing with him.

Falin stands and brings her plate to the kitchen. “Alright bitch, let’s go shopping.”

We havethe best time hitting the Halloween store in town, then heading to the mall nearby for some finishing touches. Once we were shopped out, we stopped for lunch at Leaf and Ladle and Falin surprised me by having them bring out chocolate cake the size of my head. When the server told her they don’t usually sing happy birthday there, she proceeded to sing her own loud, out of tune rendition that included amazing additions like “you smell like a skank and you act like one too.” I think her love language is embarrassing me.

The unexpected part of the day was that Damon actually gave me space. Not one text, call, or random appearance. At least not that I saw. I was having too much fun with Falin to be hypervigilant. But maybe I was used to his clinginess, because all day I kept touching my locket and wishing he was there with me. I wondered which costume he’d like best, and when I saw a Freddy glove, my heart flipped. I bought it, of course, excited to hear his sarcastic remark when I give it to him.

While I was out, Brennan texted me to wish me a happy birthday. It was a quick back and forth but he promised he’d call me tomorrow. At least I know he’s alive and kicking. That’s all I could ask for on my birthday.

Back at the apartment, the guys are playing some first person shooter game in Jasper’s room while Falin and I get ready. We’re blasting My Chemical Romance and singing the lyrics at the top of our lungs. She pulls some of my hair back into a teased half pony and adds some volume to the rest. I feel like we’re back in college, dancing around our room to emo music while she forces me to abandon my studies and go out for a few hours.

With my hair and makeup done, I slip into my outfit—a black lace corset and gothic burgundy and black skirt. I slide on some fishnets, and my combat boots, and accessorize with a choker and some bracelets, along with Damon’s necklace.

“Last but not least,” Falin says, handing me the box of realistic-looking fangs we bought earlier. “Let me know if you need help.”

She puts on her own at the same time and then we finish off the look with a few well placed drips of fake blood. I finally take a look in the mirror and can’t believe that I’m the person staring back at me. I look hot—like holy shit, I’d bang myself, hot. And so does Falin, but that’s nothing new, she always looks amazing.

I guess the stress of school has really gotten to me lately. Other than the gala, I haven’t seen myself in anything other than comfy clothes or scrubs and definitely haven’t worn makeup like this in all the years I dated Ethan. He hated when I’d dress too provocatively, or wore unnatural looking makeup, even on Halloween. That was one of the things that turned Falin off of him right away.

“You look hot as hell, Blakey. We’re going to get so many free drinks tonight.” She sprays a light mist of hairspray over her head and touches up her black lipstick.

“Don’t we have a bunch of money left from what Damon gave us?” I ask.

Falin tilts her head and smirks. “So? That doesn’t mean we can’t accept free drinks. Come on, I’ve got you. Just have fun tonight and don’t worry about a thing.”

Right.Pretty sure those are her famous last words.

Damon knocks and comes into the bedroom holding a cake. When he sees me, he freezes in place. His eyes flare in surprise and I get the knee-jerk reaction to grab something to cover myself. Bracing for the harsh words that I’m certain will come, I look at my feet and wrap my arms around my chest.

He closes the space between us in two steps and tips my chin up. “Let me look at you.” His slow perusal of my body has my skin tingling and when he flashes a hungry smile, my stomach flutters.

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