Page 149 of A Duet of Darkness and Dreams

“No, I’m just fucking dandy,” I mutter.

As I stoop to pick up my tie again, I see Key roll his eyes in the mirror’s reflection. “Can you stop being so dramatic? All you need to do is ask for help.”

I bite my cheek and hang my head. “Fine. Key, can you help me?”

He raises his eyebrows and I want to punch him in his smug face.

“Please?”

With a grin, he walks toward me. “Of course. Can’t let you goto the award ceremony looking like a slob. Izzy would never forgive me.”

I shove him playfully in the shoulder. “Thanks, man.”

“No problem. Turn around.”

Facing the mirror, Key confidently slides the black silk tie around my neck and starts doing some complicated thing with the fabric.

“Nervous?”

I look up and Key is watching my reflection. “Is it that obvious?”

He shrugs. “Totally understandable to be nervous. We all are. You’re the only one who can’t seem to get your hands working right though.”

I laugh. “Yeah, well usually I have drumsticks that help balance things out.” Key finishes a beautiful windsor knot at my throat and flips my collar down for me. “Thanks. How’d you get so good at that?”

“Nearly two decades of Church on Sunday’s,” he says with a sigh.

Right. “Thanks.”

He slaps my shoulders. “I couldn’t watch you fail anymore. Besides, if we don’t leave right now, we’ll be late.”

I glance at the clock on the nightstand. “Shit.” As I pull my suit jacket on, I turn and face Key with my eyebrows raised high. “Do I look all right?”

He tilts his head and waves his hand. “You’ll do.”

I roll my eyes. “Thanks.”

Laughing, he follows me out of my room and into the main living area of the hotel suite. It’s probably one of the fancier hotels I’ve ever stayed in, and with all six of us here for the award ceremony, this seemed like way more fun. Joel and Key are always staying at the fanciest hotels and partying all night long. James and I are happier in quieter—more sober—accommodations. So, it’s been a while since we’ve all stayed together.

We walk out to find Becks standing in an emerald green dress that’s sheer through the bodice. She’s recently cut her hair a bit shorter, and the effect makes her look incredibly grown up.

“You look amazing, Becks,” I say walking toward her. I pick her up and spin her around in a hug.

Her cheeks are flushed when I let her go, but she’s beaming. “You think so? I made the dress at school. Hopefully it’s not too much.”

“Too much?” James asks, appearing behind her and wrapping his arms around her tightly. He kisses her cheek and she giggles. “It’s so much, Cindy Crawford’s going to have to watch her back.”

She slaps his arm playfully. “Come on, we better get going. The limo’s downstairs waiting for us.”

“Where the hell did Joel end up?” Key asks.

But he appears the next moment, stuffing the last of a Hot Pocket in his mouth.

“Joel, come on, we’re leaving,” I call.

He runs toward us while chewing. “Yeah, I’m ready.”

“Why the fuck are you eating?” Key asks.

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