“What are you supposed to be?” I looked up and realized the judgmental tone wasn’t directed at me. The girl, dressed in a Poison Ivy costume, waited for her friend to respond.
“A Playboy bunny.” Her friend wiggled her ass and shook the cotton ball tail towards the congregation of men across the room.
I rolled my eyes, although I had no moral high ground, and wandered around the room in hopes of finding someone to talk to.
After a few minutes, my target was acquired; I chugged the remainder of my punch and went in for the kill.
“Funny seeing you here.” Ethan smirked when he saw me approaching. He was dressed in a stark white tunic extending down his body with silver trim. He had boots, epaulets, and a decorative sword resting on his hip.
“Well, I do practically live here.” The statement felt truer with each passing day. I spent most of my time planning my escape, but when I was with the girls, sucking myself into the newest tiny ensemble, I felt... complete.
I didn’t expect myself to enjoy the people in Pink Cherrie, but now I couldn’t imagine leaving and no longer knowing them.
He brushed off my comment with a playful grin. “Details.”
I couldn’t stop myself from returning the smile. “So, what are you trying to pass for?” I asked while ignoring how my stomach fluttered when he ran his hand through his styled hair.
“Isn’t it obvious?” He spun for my amusement. “I’m Prince Charming.”
I scoffed with the same goofy smile plastered on my face. “You wish.”
Ethan chuckled and cupped my hand in his. “At least one of us lives up to their costume, Beauty.” Heat rose to my cheeks as he kissed the top of my hand.
He was as charming as his costume, but he wasn’t Jason. Although, I wasn’t sure that should be an issue. And any therapist worth their shit would tell me to pack a bag and run for the hills, leaving Pink Cherrie and its owner far in the distance.
Then they’d bill me for a thousand dollars and my first-born child.
Before I could respond with stunned gibberish, the lights flickered off and darkness fell over the room.
“Well, that’s dramatic.” The words left my mouth right as a familiar song floated through the speakers. Flashbacks of the summer my father left crept into my mind. My mother insisted on watching her favorite movie for weeks to somehow mend her heart.
Ethan stared at the ceiling. “What the hell—” Before he could finish the mutual thought, a massive chandelier illuminated the room, and a Phantom took to the stage.
The butterflies in my stomach mutated as I realized who hid beneath the mask. Jason’s slicked-back hair and aged suit gave him a striking appearance compared to the crowd. Seeing him again reminded me of his offer, the one I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about since I hurried home. I’d been avoiding him as best I could while working at his store.
I leaned over to Ethan. “If I signed a letter of consent, would you stab me?”
“Are you asking me to murder you?” Ethan’s look of bewilderment transformed into a full-fledged grin. He thought I was joking. I turned back toward the stage and forced myself to listen to Jason’s greeting.
I stared down the barrel of a gun without looking away, fully aware that my head would explode. Jason’s offer echoed in my mind while I watched him address the crowd and welcome them to the party. He was so casual about the business, and the reality of owning a sex club. I wondered if questioning the sincerity of his offer made me a prude,or just a coward.
He thought I was like the rest of the Cherries when I had just been camouflaging myself to fit in. And sooner or later, I’d call my bluff.
I shook away the idea as he wrapped up his obligatory speech. “Thank you for attending Pink Cherrie’s second annual Night of Fright. The bar is in the back, and don’t forget to tip the lovely Cherries that make our nights so sweet.”
Before I could process my thoughts, Jason descended from the stage and headed right for me with the black cape sweeping behind him like a shadow. The half-mask he wore only emphasized his sharp jawline and the green eyes that seemed to lock onto me whenever we were in the same room. He towered over most of the crowd, and if I didn’t act fast, there would be nowhere to hide.
Adrenaline surged through my veins, and my heart pounded so loudly it drowned out the music still playing in the background. Confrontation wasn’t my strong suit, and the thought of talking to Jason—looking likethat—was overwhelming.
“Hold this, thanks,” I blurted, shoving my empty cup into Ethan’s hands before he could even react. Without waiting for a response, I turned on my heel and hauled ass to my fellow princesses. I figured they’d emerged during the Phantom’s grand entrance.
My heels clicked against the floor as I hurried past clusters of costumed partygoers, my dress swishing awkwardly around my legs.
“There she is!” Sarah squealed when she noticed me approaching. Her golden Cinderella gown shimmered under the party lights as she stumbled toward me. Before I could respond, Sarah threw her arms around my neck and giggled, her head resting heavily on my shoulder. “I’m so sorry I was cranky.”
I tried to respond, but she placed a finger to my lips.
“Shhhh, I love you,” she whispered, and then her lips crashed into mine.
