Page 51 of Wild Fury (Fallen Royals 6)

I dig into her closet. She’s usually the one that digs through mine, but this feels better. Less invasive. And for one, she has a much cooler wardrobe. Second, she actually rocks the stuff she owns. Sometimes I feel like a fraud.

“Here,” I say, thrusting a gold-and-silver shimmery shirt at her. I quickly find a pair of ripped skinny jeans and throw that on her bed, followed by sharp stiletto heels.

“You want me to stand out, huh?”

“I want you to appeal to Sebastian,” I counter. “And be a little distraction.”

She sighs. “Fine.”

Perfect. We finish getting ready in silence—her applying makeup, and me removing mine. I braid my hair back and remove my contacts. I don’t usually go around in public in my glasses, but it’s nice to have the option.

“I didn’t even know you wore glasses,” she comments.

I shrug. “I usually put my contacts in first thing and take them out right before bed. It’s easy to miss.”

She smiles. “I like them. They work well with your face.”

“Thanks, I think.”

She just rolls her eyes. “Let’s go. We’re going to be late.”

I link my arm with hers once we’re in the hallway. “Do you think he’s ever been on a date with two girls before?”

“Is that what he’s doing now?”

She must see where I’m going with this. Or, at least, have an idea.

“I’m not trying to set you up or anything,” I say in as innocent a voice as possible. I mean, sure, if Sebastian realizes how cool Ruby is, then maybe he’ll forget me and chase her. “But yeah, I’m totally going to bail.”

She snorts. “You owe me.”

“No, this is payback for keeping the bet from me.”

We step outside. Sebastian waits for me—us—on the sidewalk, and his eyebrows shoot up. He takes in me, in all my leggings-and-giant-sweatshirt glory, to Ruby.

“Ready?” My tone is chipper.

“You going somewhere, Ruby?” Sebastian asks.

“Of course. She’s coming with us.” I tighten my grip on her. “She didn’t have any plans. Right?”

“Right,” she confirms. “And a movie sounds great. I love popcorn.”

“And those chocolates with the sprinkles.”

Sebastian’s gaze bounces back and forth between the two of us, and then he seems to accept that this is happening. He motions for us to go ahead of him, and the three of us head to his car. I claim the backseat, ignoring the glare my roommate shoots my way. I smirk to myself when Sebastian opens her door, then closes it gently behind her.

Without twisting to face me, she says, “This was your plan.”

I shrug and buckle. I’ve always been a little leery about random people driving me—probably because of the accident I witnessed as a kid. I don’t know if it counts as trauma, but it certainly left a mental scar. One that happens to twinge sometimes.

We get to the theater in record time. Ruby and Sebastian keep glancing at each other, and I’m positively smug about it. I knew they had chemistry. They just needed some time away from her overbearing big brother.

On second thought, Hale might be why they are standing at least three feet apart.

I trip on the entrance, falling into Sebastian. He grabs me and plants me back on my feet, frowning.

“You have quick reflexes,” I manage.

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