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"You look, uh, like a girl," I said. She looked beautiful.
"Gee, thanks. " Callie rolled her eyes and softly slugged my shoulder. "Youre just used to seeing me in work clothes. " She gazed at me. "You look quite handsome. "
I cleared my throat and tugged on my collar. Suddenly my clothes felt uncomfortable and constricting, and the night air stuffy. I wondered briefly if the barmaid had something in her blood that hadnt agreed with me. "Thank you," I said formally.
"Stefan?" Callie lifted her arm expectantly.
"Oh, of course. " I took her arm in mine. Her freckled hand grazed my palm. I flinched and readjusted so that her hand was resting on the soft fabric of my jacket.
"Where to, Miss Gallagher?"
She looked up at me, a smile on her face. "Bourbon Street, of course. "
Callie guided me through cobblestone side streets, where gardenias dripped from balconies. On a whim, I grabbed one and tucked it behind her ear. Back home in Mystic Falls, it was customary to bring flowers or a small token when visiting with a lady.
"Want to know a secret?" Callie whispered.
"What?" I asked, curious. I was already the bearer of too many secrets. But perhaps Callies could lead me to Damon
She got up on tiptoe and cupped my ear with her hand. The sound of her blood pumping beneath her skin magnified tenfold. I gritted my teeth, forcing my fangs back down. "Your shirt has come untucked," she whispered.
"Oh," I said, as I self-consciously smoothed down my shirt. "Thanks. "
Callie let out a gleeful laugh. "You know what I really want to see?" she asked, grabbing my arm.
"What?" I asked, trying to devote all my energy to not listening to the steady thrum of her blood.
"A burlesque show. Madame X has a showeveryone'sbeen talking about," she said.
We walked together through the town, past bustling crowds and wavering street carts, ending up in a well-kept neighborhood in front of a pristine, stately house. A simple placard next to the door readMADAME Xin black script. Soft lamplight shone from all the windows, and carriages pulled up, one after another, to the front gate, releasing their well-dressed passengers into the depths of the club.
I momentarily panicked. I didnt have any money. And I was wearing a schoolboys clothes that hadnt been in style since the turn of the century.
"Callie, I think " I began, trying to come up with an alternate idea for our evening when the front door swung open to greet us.
"Good evening. Are you guests of the house?" The mans eyes flicked down my old clothes. I was wildly underdressed for this venue, and I knew it. Callie, however, looked radiant.
"Yes," Callie jumped in, straightening her shoulders.
"And your names?"
From the way Callies lips flattened, I could tell she hadnt realized there was a guest list. I stepped in front of her, suddenly inspired. "Were the Picards. Remy and his wife, Calliope. "
"One moment, sir. " The man waddled in his slippers over to a podium holding a list that almost certainly did not include Mr. Remy Picards name. He turned a page, then turned it back.
"What are you doing, Stefan?" Callie whispered.
"I have it under control," I said quietly. "Just smile and look pretty. "
The man returned, looking genuinely distressed.
"Im terribly sorry, sir, but your name is not on our list for tonight. " He glanced around, as if ready to beckon a security guard if we made trouble.
I want you to let us in without asking us any more questions, I thought, channeling all my energy. "Wed really like to come in," I said aloud, concentrating on looking deep into his eyes, ignoring Callies curious gaze boring into my back. "Are you sure you didnt see our names on the list?"
The mans eyes flickered.
Let us in without looking at the list.
