I clench my jaw, glancing from her to the cards back to her. “And this helps me how?”
“GRRRR!”Pen literally bears her teeth.
I lean away like she’s about to go for my jugular. “Hey! Don’t taint the sanctuary!”
Pen balls a fist and knocks it against the table. The cards jump. “No.Youtellme. How does this help you?”
I love Pen with all my heart, but she is straight up demonic when she’s pissed.
Still leaning away, chin tucked back in what I’m sure is my least attractive pose, I gape at her.
“How?”she demands.
My eyes bug. “I-I-I know what I have to do?”
Demon Pen retracts her horns halfway. “And what’s that?”
I exhale, letting my shoulders drop. “Take the risk,” I say, sulking.
Now she smiles, the needle swinging from hellish to angelic at breakneck speed. “Don’t look so depressed. I just gave you permission to go after Lark Bienvenue.”
“Yeah,” I say ruefully. “And either get my happily-ever-after or feed my heart to the wolves.”
Pen clasps her hands together, her eyes glinting with paranormal light. “So exciting!”
ChapterTwenty-One
STELLA
Apparently,we’re all dressing up tonight, but Maisy is the only one who got to pick her costume. Naturally, she’s going as AngerfromInside Out.
I stare at the orange cottagecore dress that awaits me at the foot of my bed. Where the hell did Pen get this?
When I pick up the dress and inspect it for tags or branding, I find that it’s clearly homemade, but with obvious skill. I know Pen owns a sewing machine, but holy cow!
The squared neckline—as wide as it is deep—is not going to allow for a bra. Good thing the bodice laces up in the front so I can keep the girls locked down. I strip down to my undies and slip it over my head.
And that’s when I realize that—laces or not—my neighbors are going to get a terrific view of my cleavage.
“Thanks a lot, Pen,” I mutter to the tops of my boobs.
But when I catch my reflection in Nanna’s chevelle mirror, I do a double-take.
The orange of the dress picks up the amber highlights in my hair and makes the natural brown look rich and shiny. My eyes stand out too, like patina on copper.
And the tight bodice, high waist, and blousy three-quarter sleeves make me look sensual and feminine in a way I don’t think I’ve ever felt.
“Okay… Maybe Ishouldthank her.”
I slip on a pair of two-tone brown heeled Mary Janes. They’re Clarks, and since they’re comfortable enough to wear to the salon, I know they’ll be fine for Maisy’s trick-or-treating.
The effect is timeless. I can’t help but smile at my reflection.
I can’t wait for Lark to see me in this.
And if Pen made us all costumes, what’s he wearing?
I can’t stop thinking about the Tarot reading.You have to take a risk. What you’ve done in the past just won’t cut it.
