AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"He's been happier lately," he says. "I'm glad to see that. He had a hard time after his sister… he never talked about it, but it was obvious."
"His sister?" I ask.
Surprise spreads over Dare's face. "He didn't tell you?"
"I don't know," I say.
He looks behind me, again. "Yeah. Deidre. She… I don't know how much I should say."
I don't reply.
"She died."
Everything clicks together. The past tense, the frequent mentions of his older sister in present tense, the shelves packed with books young women love.
The apartment was his sister's, and she gave it to him.
As an inheritance.
"He was a wreck. Not that he showed it," Dare says. "But he was saying no to invitations. Or saying yes and drinking too much. I think… I don't think he really started to see the light until recently."
"We're not serious," I say.
"You sure?" he asks. "'Cause the change in his mood… it's not the extra sunshine. It's you. He likes you."
"I like him too."
"It's nice to see. That's all." Dare looks behind me. "But I've said too much already."
Someone slips through the door.
Dare motions to the footsteps and mimes zipped lips. "Just telling your girl she should drop the zero and find a hero."
Patrick wraps his arms around me. "A hero, really? You know one?"
"No. I thought you might," Dare says.
They laugh in a familiar way. It's a routine of theirs. It's comfortable for them.
A couple in the corner notices the commotion. Another tattoo artist looking guy and a curvy woman in thigh-high boots and a short black dress.
She whispers something in his ear and they stand, meet us in the center of the backyard.
They're a little older, in their late twenties maybe, and she looks even more stylish up close. Dark lipstick, heavy eye makeup, a tulle skirt. A goth princess.
Wait—
I know her.
"You're Princess Skye," I say.
She lights up. "I am." She offers her hand. "And you're Imogen."
"Sorry. I must sound like a fangirl. You just… I love your stuff."
"Thanks." She smiles. "It's a little weird being a 'plus-size influencer.' It forces me to really objectify myself. But I'm the photographer, so it's fun in its own way."
I follow her because she wears awesome outfits (mostly lingerie).
