Page 50 of Claimed By the Mothman
“I texted Jem this morning,” Goldie announced, dabbing one last swipe of gloss on Nell’s lips, “and shedefinitelyinvited the sexy mothman.”
Nell groaned. “We don’t even know if he’ll show.”
“We don’t know hewon’t,” Goldie singsonged, spinning her toward the full-length mirror. “Now shut up and behold yourself.”
Nell scowled at her reflection. “Why this dress? Why not the cute wrap one? Or the two-piece thing that saysI am a competent, non-threatening grown-up?”
Goldie stepped back, arms crossed in satisfaction. “Because this one says,come and get me, cryptid.”
The dress was black, tight, and uncomfortably revealing. One of those numbers Nell had bought once during a hopeful phase and never worn because it screamedlook at mein a register she’d spent most of her life avoiding.
Her hair was curled. Her lips were lined. The opal on her finger pulsed like it had something to say and was just waiting for her to shut up long enough to say it. She looked unquestionablyhot.
And she hated it.
By the time they reached Hollis’ and Jem’s apartment—a fifteen-second walk that felt like an eternity—Nell’s palms were sweating against her best attempt at rosemary focaccia, wrapped in a slightly singed tea towel.
Goldie, resplendent in a metallic jumpsuit that merged vintage disco with holy armor, knocked on the apartment door like a woman about to deliver a prophecy. “We’reheeere!”she trilled, voice too bright, too loud, and too impossible to ignore.
The door swung open to reveal Jem, glowing in green velvet, beaming like she’d just unwrapped a gift.
“Ohhhhhh, youbeautiful girls,” she sighed, ushering them in with flapping sleeves and a kiss to each cheek. “You look edible.” She took Nell’s bread and Goldie’s salad from their hands and winked cheekily. “Don’t worry, you’re not on the menu tonight!”
Nell winced as the almost-healed teeth marks on her shoulder throbbed.
Hollis and Jem’s apartment was amazingly, unfairly gorgeous. Warm wood floors stretched out beneath their feet, gleaming with a soft, honeyed glow. The entryway opened into a high-ceilinged living room where jewel-toned pillows lounged artfully across antique settees. A fire crackled in a hearth. One of the paintings blinked.
Nell peered through an arched doorway into the dining room where an elegant table was set for eight. Real linen napkins. Little name cards written in curling, metallic ink. Hand-poured candles flickering in mismatched brass holders. The chandelier overhead cast slightly too many shadows. Classical music fluttered in the background, and she realized belatedly it was playingbackwards.
Carol and Dev were already there, sipping wine from tall crystal goblets. Carol was radiant in a deep violet pantsuit with sharp lapels and satin cuffs that gleamed when she moved. Her short, silver-streaked hair was sculpted into an elegant sweep, and a string of matte black pearls rested at the hollow of her throat.
Dev stood beside his wife with an arm casually wrapped around her waist, more relaxed in pressed slacks and a slate-blue polo that clung to shoulders that didnotcome from skipping arm day. His beard was neat, salt-and-pepper, and his smile crooked gently to one side, like he found the whole world a little absurd and endlessly worth loving.
They both greeted Goldie and Nell with warm hugs and knowing smiles.Tooknowing. The kind of smiles that saidwe heard what happened we’re absolutely dying to pretend we don’t want all the details.
“Welcome,” said Dev, slyly. “You look absolutely radiant, Nell.”
Nell wanted the perfect floor to open its perfect self up and perfectly swallow her whole.
Before she could open her mouth in retort, Hollis appeared from the kitchen, bearing glasses of wine in his hands and a dish towel over his shoulder. He wore a sharp button-down shirt under a faded apron that readKiss the Cook (Only if You Mean It).
“Goldie, Nell, so glad you made it,” he said warmly, handing them each a glass. Nell was quietly relieved to see he looked exactly the same as the last time she’d seen him. “Hope you’re hungry! I may have accidentally made enough for a coven.”
“Just as you do everything: in excess,” someone laughed from the far side of the room.
Nell turned. A man was standing near the drink cart, half in shadow, a glass of something amber catching the light like honey in a storm. His suit was dark and perfectly cut, like he’d walked out of a magazine spread titledThings That Will Absolutely Ruin You.His cheekbones were criminal. His dark curls fell just slightly into eyes that were the wrong shade of blue for comfort and just right for devastation.
He looked at Goldie and smiled like he’d been waiting for her all night. Nell felt her friend still mid-flutter beside her.
“Ezra Calder,” he said, stepping forward. “I’m one of Hollis’ associates. In theory.” Then his face broke into a brilliant smile that could have melted pewter as he took Goldie’s hand and gently pressed it to his lips. “But I’d very much like to be yours in practice.”
“Oh,” Goldie breathed.“Hello.”
The music swelled like it had been instructed to create aFall In Love Instantlysoundtrack. Nell rolled her eyes.
—
Dinner began beautifully.
