Page 22 of Yours, For Good

Max: and isn't that just perfect, Mr. Old Family Money?

Chapter 11

Nora

I REGRETTED WHATEVER HAD possessed me to be excited about Julia and Sally's Halloween party. Judging by the packed rooftop patio and the throngs of people making it hard to breathe, their definition of a small get-together was radically different from mine.

Sally had been too busy being an amazing hostess to entertain my social awkwardness, but she encouraged me to hang out and have fun. Back when I was a college student, meeting people seemed a breeze. It was the one spot where I felt free. It was easy to share a drink or two, and have a nice conversation that sometimes led to more. My body had needs that I refused to deny; just because I was not willing to let my heart get involved, it didn't mean other organs couldn't enjoy the company. One fun release later, and it was thank you, sir/ma'am/captain, may you have a good life . I went back to my routines, no stress whatsoever.

Ever since accessing this exclusive program, my social ease had disappeared. Everything I did around these people left me feeling like a grocery store cart with squeaky wheels that insisted on going in opposite directions. I hated the feeling.

But I didn't want to be in Sally's way, so I chatted with some of the other people in the program. After an hour, I made up an excuse and took a break; I sneaked into Sally and Julia's incredible condo— large enough to host the party inside and with more rooms than the John Grier Home— and hid in the bathroom.

Using my hand under the faucet stream, I drank several gulps of cold water. I pressed my damp hands behind my neck and sighed, my reflection weary in the mirror. I had curled my hair and it framed my face, though most of it was covered by a red bandana. Fake lashes from the dollar store— some habits died hard— made my eyes pop. The make up I had bought was better quality, and the red with which I had painted my lips had not faded at all. I smiled. People had recognized my costume no problem, and I was pretty proud of myself for it.

My phone dinged with a text. I received so few messages and calls that it took me a second to grab it; chances were it was spam. But if I checked it I had an excuse to be away from the party for an extra second or two…

Javier: did you come to Julia's party? I'm here but she and Sally are busy. I don't recognize a single face so I'm thinking of leaving, but it would be fun to see you again.

Sweet, sweet relief moved inside me like the tides. It lifted my mood, enough that I smiled on the way back to the party.

I found him leaning on the railing overlooking the city, and giving his back to the festivities.

"Nora to the rescue," I said.

He turned to me with a smirk. "And I appreciate it… Rosie?"

I smiled and curled my arm like the famous riveter poster. "That's right, but you can call me by my name. What's your costume?"

He straightened and put on a classic, old school hat I hadn't seen. The three piece suit looked suitably vintage with the hat back on his head. With that plus the cane and pocket watch chain dangling from his waistcoat, it made him look the part.

"Uhm… 'Great Gatsby' man?" I asked. "It's my best guess."

All I could say was that it looked great on him, even if I wished I didn't notice.

"Close enough," he said. "1920s fashion. It's when my family's fortune went from sizable to obscene."

"Oh, a multilayered costume. Nice."

"It was my friend Max's idea. He thought it would be ironic— me disguised as my ancestors."

I gazed down at his body. The suit highlighted the long lines of him; the hat drew my eyes up to his face and showed off all the angles, lights, and shadows in a delicious way.

Right, right. Not noticing that of a Pendleton.

I smirked. "Great idea, Max."

"Yours is good, too." His eyes roamed down my cushy frame. No muscle moved, and no line changed. I couldn't read his thoughts as he studied me.

"Wait," I said. "We dressed as characters that could have been alive at the same time!"

The corner of his lip curled up, and he offered me a fist bump. I opened my mouth to add a comment that I caught right before I messed up; we had also dressed according to our respective class. Good thing I stopped myself. I didn't want to highlight the fact I didn't naturally belong at that party.

I popped a hip against the short wall and the railing containing us on the roof patio. I needed to center myself, stat.

He gazed around at the large group of people around us. "I expected this to be a much smaller affair."

"Right? Julia and Sally said it'd be a small party." I pressed my lips together. "If this is small, I'm afraid what a big party would look like. I don't even know how they know so many people— neither Julia nor Sally are from here."