Page 45 of The Hallows Queen

“Call him and invite him out to dinner.”

I snort. “Were you not listening when I said I wasn’t going to see him again?”

“You like him. It’s Friday night, youdefinitelydon’t have plans, and you’re hungry but can’t decide on what to eat. I’m solving all your problems. You’re welcome.”

My stomach has a few straggling butterflies trying to intimidate me, so I shake out my shoulders. Before I can chicken out, or let my mind convince me it’s a bad idea, I send a text to Hayden.

Me:

Dinner?

“Fine,” I say when I’ve returned my phone to my ear. “I texted him.”

“Good girl,” she coos. “Now, go get yourself dressed and call me tomorrow.”

I groan, rolling over on the couch. “Bye.”

“Byeeee!” she singsongs, then hangs up.

Tossing my phone on the table, I get up, not wanting to be around it when I get a response. I don’t know what I’m so nervous about. I’ve spent moments with Hayden that are more intimate than I have with others. He just sets me on edge; I can’t completely figure him out and that scares me. I’m usually the one to read people down to their dark center, but with him… I can’t get a good grip on what’s beneath his surface.

I strip down to my underwear once I’m in front of my closet, debating what to wear. I’m glad I took a bath with an unhealthy amount of bubbles because my skin smells like vanilla and is softer than a baby’s. Throwing on a tight, black dress, I call it an outfit. Maybe we’ll go somewhere nice, maybe we’ll just eat McDonalds in my car, I don’t know, but my little black dress always makes me feel sexy.

I’m unwrapping my hair from the knot on top of my head and shaking it out as I walk back to the living room to check my phone. There’s an unread message from Hayden and my stomach does a flip as I open it.

Hayden:

Pick you up in 30?

My teeth press into my lip as I hover my thumb over the screen, thinking. I don’t know if I’m ready for this to feel like a date yet, so I type out a response that makes me feel more casual.

Me:

I’ll just meet you downtown

I send the text, then watch as the bubble comes up showing he’s typing. I inwardly clench in anticipation. I don’t know why, and it isn’t until his next message comes through that I breathe.

Hayden:

Panificio in 30?

I sigh in relief at his suggestion, since it isn’t a fancy sit-down place, making this feel like two people just hanging out. Panificio is a little walk-up pizza place, with a few tables scattered under the outdoor canopy. They serve more complex dishes and dessert too, but it’s the best pizza in town. You’d have to be stupid to get anything but a slice. I smile, typing back.

Me:

See you then

Rushing to my bathroom, I start getting ready. My face is nice and tan, with freckles sprinkled over my nose from being in the sun, so I skip foundation and just brush some highlighter on my cheekbones before doing my eyes and brows.

When I’m satisfied with my now dark eyelids and contoured brows, I sweep some red lipstick on my lips and cover it with some clear gloss. I don’t want to looktoodone up, but I also want to look good.

I dry and curl my hair into big waves that cascade over my shoulders, then spray myself with some perfume before turning the lights off and going to my bedroom. Transferring my wallet and cigarettes into a little crossbody, I throw it over my body, then slip my feet into some chunky heels.

Okay, maybe the heels were too much, but they make me three inches taller and my legs look ten miles long.

I grab my phone as I pass through the living room and slip it into my purse, then my keys, and I’m out the door.

Since I live downtown, I decide to just walk down to Panificio. It’s only five blocks and the sun is setting so the air is fresh and cool, giving me the best opportunity to breathe and calm my mind.

---