Annie and I leave the room and immediately bump into Dan, who is also going out.His eyes widen and his mouth hangs open.
Evie.Wow.You look hot,he declares.
Um, thanks,I reply.Ever since I had mymakeover,Dan has no problem remembering my name, which makes me like him even less.I’m still learning to deal with being pretty.Luckily, dating Viktor means that there’s a shield of protection around me.As one guy said when his friend was attempting to charm me,Dude, do you have a death wish?She’s dating Viktor fucking Zelenko.
I’ve never seen a jaw drop in real life,Annie declares once we’re alone in the elevator.
You mean Dan?I wish I had an invisibility cloak against people I don’t like,I grumble.
Awww, it’s so tough being beautiful, isn’t it?mocks Annie.All right, get ready for your big entrance.Here, I’ll take your coat.
The elevator doors glide open.I see Viktor standing in the lobby.He’s wearing a grey dress coat over his dark suit, and he looks absolutely gorgeous.My jaw drops too, but I close it immediately.
Then he sees me.His eyes travel over me, and his mouth curves into a smile.
When we’re together, he murmurs,Very nice, Evie.It’s not the words, but the tender tone that makes the compliment sing.And as he helps me on with my coat, he kisses the back of my neck.Mmm.
Annie makes us pose for a photo and then we’re off.Mats is waiting outside in his car, and we get in the back.
Home, James,I joke.
Mats laughs.I do feel like a chauffeur.All I need is the hat.
We swing by and pick up Cleo, who is waiting outside on her porch even though it’s snowing.Nobody forced her to make a dramatic entrance.
I hate dressing upare her first words when she gets in the car.
Viktor eyes her navy down jacket.It’s good that you didn’t do it then.
Oh, it’s easy for you and your enormous wardrobe, Mr.Chanel,she scoffs.
Chanel doesn’t make menswear,he replies.
Okay, the fact that you know that is disturbing.She turns to Mats.Did you know that?
He nods.
She cranes around to face me.Did you know that, Evie?
No, I didn’t.The only magazine at our home wasThe Economist,notVogue.
The fuck?What kind of world is it where men know more about fashion then women?Cleo asks.
Earth,says Viktor straight-faced, and I giggle.
Cleo laughs too.At first I found her overwhelming, but I really like her now.Also, she knits, and she wants to come to a Crafty Club meeting once her hockey season is over.We have a lot of quiet, introverted members so it will be interesting to see how they react to the energetic Cleo.
We arrive at the Dean’s house, which is a sprawling red brick home completely outlined in white string lights.There are wreaths on the front door and the mullioned windows.It’s Christmas-card perfect.
How lovely,I exclaim.
It’s beautiful inside the house as well, decorated with not one, but two towering Christmas trees.Someone takes our coats, and I slip on my shoes.Viktor puts a supportive hand on my back and guides me into the crowd.There are a variety of people here: students, faculty, and older people who I assume are local bigwigs or donors.Viktor and Mats are immediately grabbed by the Athletic Director who wants to introduce them to someone.
Cleo actually looks quite nice in a cream tunic over black dress pants, and I tell her so.
Oh thanks.She leans closer and whispers,I got Mats to help me find something to wear because I’m literally the worst at shopping.
I get help shopping too,I admit.
