Chapter 77: Penny
A few hours later, my phone heres voll. Mila’s name lighting up the screen, and I valpe in antwert, propping it bed. The sten lills with her face, half overed in a thick giren fare mark. I had written in her when Ather left and her answer caste within specials: UM, VESHE
“Tell
me you’re not going to bail on me,” she says by way of greeting, her ice both stein and teasing “I shared my legs for this, Penelope
Mila rolls her eyes and peels the mask off be one practiced pull. “I’m arilous. I’ve had a week from bell and need this. You, me, munir, and people who will 100% say something dush before the night it over.
“I’m coming.” I 12y, grabbing the hairbruk from my mightstand. “Tas just
, and in the party mood, exactly,”
Mila panes. “Still sad about the fair thing?”
1 be. “It’s fine. Tyler had plans”
Mila doesn’t buy it, obviously. She arches a brow and sighs. “Whatever. He’s still an idiot for missing that. But hey, at least you’re coming tonight. Let’s find you something to wear.”
1 pan the camera to the mess on my bed–skirts, tops, belts, shoes, all laid out in what looks like the aftermath of a minor tornado
“DE” Mila says, grimacing. “Fashion battlefield.”
“You should see my k
She laughs and points. “Okay. That denim misi skirt. The one with the brown belt. And pair it with that tight brown long sleeve you wore for my birthday last year. The one that shows that tiny bit of skin–just enough to make Tyler regret everything if he tries to leave early.”
“Subtle.”
“I’m not paid to be subele, babe
I grab the pieces she suggested and nod. “Okay, you win.”
“Obviously. Now, hain.”
I stand in front of the mirror, pulling the curling iron from the drawer and plugging it in. “Soft curls? Let it fall naturally?”
“Yes,” she says, tapping her chin like a stylist on a runway show. “Like, ethereal but hot,”
I stan curling a strand. “Thanks for narrowing that down.”
Mila grins. “You know what I mean. Just–don’t try too hard. You’re already pretty.”
1 hum, curling more pieces until they fall in soft waves around my shoulders. I swipe on a little mascara, dab some blush on my cheeks, and finish with a gloss that makes my lips look hitten.
“This is the most makeup I’ve wom outside of a puformance,” I mumble, checking my reflection..
“You look so good it’s stupid,” Mila says. She’s fully dressed now, adjusting the straps of a sleek, deep red tank top tucked high waisted black leather pants. Her curls are big and bold, and her eyeliner is sharp enough to cut glass. “Honestly, if anyone doesn’t notice you to
“I’m not looking to be noticed,” I say, slipping on earrings and a spritz of perfuties.
“You say that, but you’re wearing the ‘accidentally paltry top”
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Chapter 77: Penny
I glance down at the tight le serve that hogs my waist and dipa slightly post above my jeans skirt.
Mela winks. “It’s neves just a shirt. Now them
1 step back to the can see. “Tada
the full fil.”
She whistles. “Damn. Someone better hold Tyler’s band all night or the boys at the party will
“Not as ridiculous as hose prod your ass looks
She throws her head back laughing. “Okay, okay. We’ll keep it classy. Mostly. What time are we learing?
“Tyler said we’d head our around eight. We’ll pick you up,“
“Bless your chaotic little soul. I’ll be ready”
“You always are !
“Love you, dancer girl.
“Love you too, chaos demon.”
We hang up, and I glance once more in the mirror. My cheeks are a little flushed–probably from Mila’s nonstop commentary–but there’s something else. too. Excitement, maybe. Nerves. Or maybe it’s just that quiet, unexpected hope that something tonight will måtter.
Something small.
Or maybe something not so ea
I head downstairs, smoothing my skirt down as I go, heart doing little flips that make zero sense. Tyler’s in the kitchen, assembling something on the counter–prant butter, banana, a sprinkle of cinnamon. It’s his go–to snack. He tums at the sound of my footsteps, and the sandwich in his hands almest drops to the floor.
“Holy Buck, baber”
I blink, startled, then laugh softly. “What?”
He stares, eyes dragging from my curled hair to the cropped hem of my shirt to the bare skin of my thighs above my boots,
“I’m not sure I want to go out anymore,” he mutters, half–joking, half not. “Like we could just stay in. Lock the door. Order food. You know, admire your outfit from the comfort of my lap
I raise an eyebrow, playing it cool. “Sounds good to me.”
His grin turns feral. “Damn, you’re hot”
He steps forward and handh me the sandwich with flourish like he’s offering gold. “For my goddess”
“Thank you, humble servant.” I say with mock seostess, taking a bite. It’s warm, gooey, and perfect.
Tyler leans against the counter next to me and watches me eat like he’s not sure whether he wants to frame me or des
After a moment, I glance up at him. “Can I ask you something?
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Chapter 77: Penny
“Anything”
” the part
can you try not to leave me alone too much?” I say, a little hettaen. “Miles comin
– doappears into crowdi Dür a escial chameleon.”
Tyler immedutely steps, forward and cups my
me hand, his exprimi
His kit is slow and deep, and for a second, I forget we’re going anywhere at all
1 finish my sandwich, toss the napkin, and grab my bag
He opens the
(door and says, “Let’s make the
I nod, stepping out into the cool evening air. “uenc“))
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