Page 75 of Sharing Shadow Secrets
“I’m guessing you know about us?” he asks, his lips curling into a smirk. He’s unphased by this entire conversation. Well, maybe he’s enjoying it.
I nod, my mind flashing to both of them being naked together. Then I refocus.
“I’m surprised he told me that you were single then …” he trails off, squinting his eyes as he does.
“We’re complicated.” I shrug, feeling a lot of energy coming from Kyle and needing to get out of this office. “I’m going to check in with the photographer and take some content for social and then be back to grab you.”
49
Stepping into the lake house, it’s silent. They must have all left for the party already. I open the entryway closet and smile, finding my costume: a leather jacket and combat boots. There’s a drawstring bag around the hanger. Inside, I find a skeleton face mask and note.
I’ll return whatever you don’t wear.
I appreciate our estate manager. He nailed this last-minute request. I’ll be a mix of one of the masked guys from Taylor’s TikTok with a motorcycle flair.
I make myself a fast dinner, then go into my room to change. Spotting Taylor’s toiletries on the counter, it sinks in. I’m about to have a girlfriend.
My phone starts buzzing. Dani Sommer is calling.
“Hey!” I answer, tapping the speakerphone button.
“Brandon. Why have you been keeping Taylor from me?” Dani asks, trying to sound firm but it’s impossible with her cute voice.
“What do you mean?”
“I want her to be my best friend, but she’s been dodging me. Now Declan’s telling me that she’s your girlfriend?”
“She’s almost my girlfriend,” I clarify.
“Well, there’s an executed contract in her inbox. That makes her your girlfriend, right?”
Thank fucking God.
“It does.” I chuckle, relieved this box has been checked. “Thank you for working with her.”
“Thank you for introducing me to her. Seriously. Also, she’s about to be my best friend. I already know it. So, double date next week. I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“We’re in.”
“Yeah! Cool. Well, have fun. Send me a pic of you two. You know I love a good costume.”
“You got it. Have fun at Declan’s party tonight too.”
“Bye!”
Dani and Taylor are going to be best friends.
I quickly change into black jeans and lace up the combat boots. Sliding the leather jacket on, I shake my head about this shirtless look, especially with the face mask.
Only for Taylor.
Hopping into the SUV we keep at the lake house, I start the short drive to High Five.
50
“Showtime,” Taylor says, peeking her head into the office door. “When you hear the guy say it’s time to be bitten, walk into place.”
I step next to her, staring down at Taylor. Without her platform tennis shoes, I bet she’s a head shorter than me. Then I hear the prompt and walk ahead. The bar is dimly lit with a photobooth against the back wall. It seems like all of the women take out their phones and start recording and snapping photos as I stand in front of it.
