Page 13 of When Midnight Strikes
Vivian shrugs. “Maybe because he is still curious to know who was behind the mask. You were curious too. What if it wasn’t Cole? What if the guy was someone else, and he asked to see you? Would you have said yes?”
I shrug. “I’m not sure. Probably not. It’s not like I can just show up in my masquerade mask to meet him for coffee.”
It’s not like I could just show up as myself. I’m sure he would be slightly disappointed if I didn’t meet his expectations beneath the mask, and I didn’t have to wear a mask around Cole. I know it’s best I let that night be just that, something amazing that happened to be with the guy I’ve been wanting to notice me for years, and hopefully, it would happen again but with the real me.
She snickers, bringing me out of my reverie. “You have to admit that would make for an interesting date, though.”
The Instant Pot goes off, and I hurry toward the kitchen to release the pressure before opening the lid. The delicious aroma hits my nose, making my stomach growl. “Dinner is ready,” I shout in excitement before pulling out some plates and forks. It smells so good I could just eat it right out of the pot.
Vivian walks into the kitchen, sniffing the air. “That smells delicious. I’m so glad I came to your house for dinner tonight because my ass would be eating ramen instead.”
I laugh because it’s more than likely true. I love Vivian to death, but she’s a terrible cook, one of those people who burns toast. We eat our dinner in silence, which tells me Vivian must have really been hungry because she is never silent. She usually talks while she eats with her mouth full of food, and it drives me insane. "Gee and here I keep wondering why your ass is still single." She flings a potato my way. "You shut your mouth." We both erupt into laughter.
It’s starting to snow again, and I don’t want to make Vivian drive all the way back home later, so she crashes on my couch with my cat snuggling up at her feet. I lie in bed all night thinking about Cole and what it would be like to have him lying beside me, kissing me, pressed against the comfort of my own bed instead of a wall in a cold hallway at a party in a stranger’s house. What would it be like to have him look at me with eyes full of desire the way he did at the party without the mask on? I’m really hoping I will find out soon.
