Page 3 of Darcy By Day, Demon By Night

“Is your friend single?” I asked.

“Really?” Her voice was dripping with contempt. “I know she’s small and blond but come on.”

It took me a moment to realize why she was upset, mostly because I couldn’t understand how anyone would find someone more attractive than her.

“I’m not interested in her,” I declared quickly. “But I can tell my friend Yuri is, and he tends to fall deeply, irrevocably in love at the same speed I could eat an entire plate of those little cakes. If she’s not single, I need to go over there and break them up now before he starts planning the wedding.”

She chuckled. “Oh, well, Nan isn’t single, exactly."

I raised an eyebrow. “Don’t overwhelm me with details.”

“Nan is with a guy, but they’re poly and looking to add another person or two to their relationship. But they’re both romantic so they want someone who wants real connection, not someone looking for only sexy fun time.”

“Then that’s perfect because Yuri is pan and desperately wants to love everyone,” I said.

“Then the three of them might be a perfect match,” she said, looking enthusiastic. “You’re sweet, wanting to protect your friend.”

I shrugged. “Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?”

A phone chimed and she fumbled with the tiny, round, poofy bag hanging from her wrist. It was a fight but she got the phone out of it and then scowled darkly at what she read on the screen.

“Bad news?” I asked, hoping I could fix what was making her unhappy.

“Can you believe that it’s Halloween tonight and no one is throwing a party? I’ve checked with all the places that had amazing events last year and none are doing anything. I have the perfect costume and nowhere to wear it.” She pushed her phone back into the little bag hard enough to tear a seam. “Dang it, now Nan’s going to be annoyed with me.”

“I can fix the party but not the purse,” I said. “I’m throwing a Halloween party tonight. You’re invited, so is Nan, and whoever else you want to bring.”

Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. “You’re willing to invite a bunch of strangers to your party?”

“No, I want to invite you to my party,” I explained. “The other people can come so you don’t feel uncomfortable.”

“As many as I want?” she questioned, still looking dubious.

“Absolutely,” I said. “Let’s exchange numbers so I can send you the details.”

Her expression relaxed a little, even going so far as to give a small tentative smile. “This is a real Halloween party, right? I’m not going to show up with a bunch of friends to find that all you did was toss some bags of chips on a table and dim the lights.”

“I can promise you this will be the most realistic Halloween party you’ve ever been to.”

“It better be,” she warned, then held out her hand. “I’m Eden.”

“It’s so very nice to meet you Eden,” I said, taking her hand in mine. I could feel a spark as our skin met, making both of us jerk a little.

“That was weird,” she laughed, but didn’t let go of my hand.

“You have no idea,” I murmured, hoping the spark meant what I thought it did. With my free hand I pretended to pull my phone out of my pocket when really, I was summoning it from where I’d left it at Yuri’s apartment. I took a quick picture of Eden, then opened my contacts. “If you give me your number, I’ll promise a night you’ll never forget.”

“I’ve heard of people doing crazy things to meet women, but this is certifiable,” Yuri declared as he helped me out of the outfit. It was so much harder to get the tight jacket off than it had been to put it on.

“Less criticizing and more tugging,” I demanded. “Nan and her partner will be coming too, so you should want me to put on the most impressive Halloween party anyone has ever been to.”

“Where exactly are we going to hold this party?” Yuri asked after he freed me from the coat.

“Here,” I said.

His mouth dropped open. “Excuse me? Here!”

He swept an arm out to draw my attention to the clothing racks on wheels and plastic storage boxes stacked to the ceiling that took up most of the studio apartment. “You barely fit in here, how are we going to get dozens of people inside? I have lube, but not that much.”