Page 10 of Crave You

“Wow,” I say. “It’s a lot to take in. I’m glad I turned them down, now. I’m not sure I am up for all that intrigue and ladder climbing.”

Erin makes a face that says It’s crazy right? and then she glances at her watch.

“We have an hour to get ready before we have to leave. Leona, what are you going to wear?”

I look down at myself and point to my leggings and long red t shirt.

“This?” I say.

It was meant to be a statement, but it comes out as a question.

Erin shakes her head. “Nope,” she says. “It’s the first party of the new semester and trust me, everyone will be dressed up. Look at Laurel” She is dressed in a silver lamé mini dress and towering matching heels. Her hair is teased into an even higher afro than this afternoon, and long silver and glass earrings hang down past her shoulders.

I nod and Erin goes on. “She’s worried she might be underdressed.”

Laurel laughs. “I’m not worried at all,” she says. “Look, if you’re comfortable wearing that, wear it. But Erin’s right — people will be dressed up for tonight’s bash.”

“I’ll go change,” I say.

I head for my room where I open my wardrobe and start flicking through the clothes there. I haven’t really brought party clothes. I always thought the university party thing was a bit of a myth and that in reality we’d be hanging out in a student bar in old jeans and a sweater.

There’s that one dress I brought just in case, but it’s more for a club than a house party. I get it out anyway and hold it up in front of me. It’s short, pale pink, and the only thing connecting the tiny top part to the skirt part is two twists of material. I can’t even wear a bra with it. No. It’s way too over the top.

“It’s perfect,” Erin says from behind me.

I had no idea she was standing in the doorway to my room, and I turn to look at her.

“Isn’t it a bit too much?” I ask.

“Honey, when it comes to Valens House, nothing is too much,” she says. “Trust me.”

I suppose I’ll have to trust her, at least for now.

“OK, I’ll wear the dress,” I say, already wondering how far my student loan will stretch if I am going to need more of these types of clothes. Erin nods her approval and moves away from the doorway.

I spend the next forty five minutes or so getting ready. I apply make-up and tidy up my curls. I do my nails and dig out a pair of nude heels. Finally, I put the dress on, and as I look in the mirror, I feel as if I’m looking at a different person now.

“Come on Leona, our ride is here,” Erin shouts.

I wasn’t aware we were getting a ride, but with heels the size of mine, I certainly won’t say no to it.

“Coming,” I call out.

I spray a generous amount of perfume on and then grab the handbag that matches my shoes. I shove my phone, my house key and some money into it, and that’s about all it holds. I go back to the lounge.

“Wow. You look amazing,” Laurel says as I come in.

“Thanks,” I reply.

Erin comes into the lounge from the hallway. She looks me up and down and then grins.

“Well, aren’t you just the penny that shines,” she says.

It’s a new expression to me but I’ll take the compliment. We all troop out of the house, and I see a large black car with blacked out windows waiting for us. It’s not the sort of car normal people drive, either. It’s the sort of car that comes with a chauffeur.

“That’s our ride?” I ask. “I just thought you meant a friend was picking us up.”

“Shawn sent his driver,” Erin says as if that explains everything. Seeing my confusion, she smiles. “Shawn is my brother. He is one of the hosts of tonight’s party.”

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