I reached for his hand to be polite even though shaking on things didn’t seem necessary. The moment our skin touched, the same sensation I’d felt when his arm accidentally brushed mine earlier zipped through me, only this time it was stronger. I felt as though my body had been waiting for it to happen again, like it craved it in some way and now was being satisfied.
I jerked my hand back and glanced at Ren, wondering if he’d felt it too. He stared at me as though someone had whispered secrets about me to him when we touched.
“I must have picked up some static electricity from somewhere,” I said, my eyes never wavering from his. For whatever reason, I couldn’t look away. I shook my hand out at my side, trying to get the oddly satisfying feeling still warming my veins to leave.
“I don’t think it was just you,” he murmured. His eyes lightened as a sense of knowing shifted through them. It had me biting my bottom lip.
“Okay. Well, um, I’ll be in touch soon.” I wiped my hand on my jean-clad thigh, trying to snuff out the final lingering sensations of whatever had sparked to life across my skin.
“I’ll be waiting.” He leaned forward, dipping his head closer. The scent of his cologne tickled my nose. “Have a good rest of the afternoon. Oh, and if I don’t get a call from you tomorrow, happy Halloween.” He started for the door.
“You too.” I was too slow in my reply. He was out the door before I’d spoken.
I gathered my things and as I locked the shop door behind me, I replayed my encounter with Ren from the beginning.
Who was he? Why did I react to him like a love-struck teenager? And why was I so giddy at the thought of seeing him again?
Chapter Three
When I made it home Brielle still wasn’t there. I hadn’t thought she would be. She was difficult to keep up with at times due to her busy schedule. She worked two part-time jobs and went to school. I didn’t know how she did it. I’d be dragging ass everyday with that much on my plate, but she seemed to manage it all fine. She was one of those people who swore they only needed three hours of sleep a night to function. I couldn’t relate. I needed a full eight, sometimes nine.
Lola greeted me at the door. She jumped up and licked my face as I struggled to slip past her inside the apartment. If she got out, I’d never be able to catch her. She was crazy fast. I pushed her away, but it did me no good. She had too much pent-up energy to listen. Instead, she thought I was playing with her.
“Down, girl.” I chuckled. “Get back.”
I pushed her harder. This time she realized I wasn’t playing and chilled. I deposited my things on the catch-all table, kicked off my shoes, and made my way to the kitchen. It was only mid-afternoon, but exhaustion had already began to creep through me. I went straight to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of wine Brielle and I had opened the other day. I poured myself a glass and then headed to my room to change into something more comfortable. Lola followed like my shadow. Once I changed, I curled up on the couch with my glass of wine in hand and scrolled through my social media accounts.
Thoughts of Ren swirled through my mind. What had he said his last name was?
Jacobs.
I typed his name in and waited for the search engine to pull up everyone in relation to it. When the list loaded, I scrolled through the profiles. Minutes later, I found him. At least I thought it was him. In the picture, he was laughing while looking away from the camera and surrounded by trees.
A candid selfie. Those were the best type of picture.
A diluted sensation, similar to the one that spread through my veins when we’d touched earlier, sparked to life inside me as I stared at his picture. An overwhelming desire to see him smile like that, to be the reason for the happiness, swelled within me.
Dear God, there was something seriously wrong with me. I was falling hard and fast for someone I’d met an hour ago.
The sound of keys jingling in the front door jolted me from my thoughts. Heat crept up my neck, scorching my cheeks before spreading to the tips of my ears, making them feel impossibly hot. I clicked out of the app and placed my cell on the couch beside me.
Brielle walked into our apartment, carrying more groceries than she seemed capable of, and yelled out, “Hey, chick! What’s up?”
“Nothing.” I set my wine glass on the trunk we used as a coffee table and got up to help her. “What’s all that?”
“Food!” She shouted. “I’m sick of takeout. Since I got paid today, I figured I’d pick up some groceries for us on my way home.”
I couldn’t remember the last time either of us had gone to the grocery store. We’d been surviving on take-out for weeks.
Brielle made her way to the kitchen, maneuvering around an excited Lola, and set her bags on the counter. For someone as tiny as she was— five foot even and no more than a hundred pounds—she sure was strong. She had a set of wide hips that deceivingly made her look voluptuous in the best of ways, long dark hair that fell to her waist, and a set of lips most women would pay money for.
We’d met shortly after my crappy brain decided to glitch and for all I knew, she was the best friend I’d ever had.
Brielle didn’t make me feel like a toddler or a freak when it came to my memory issues, and she never pressed for details of what had happened. She just flat-out accepted it. She felt either the memories would come back one day on their own or they wouldn’t, all that mattered was I liked who I was now. And if I ever wanted my memories back, she wanted me to let her know because she supposedly knew someone who might be able to help. I’d never asked who or how, assuming they wouldn’t be able to do anything more for me than the crapload of doctors I’d already seen.
“Nice,” I said. “I planned on flipping a quarter later to decide between spring rolls at the Chinese restaurant or tacos at the Mexican place down the street tonight, but this is so much better.”
“Agreed.” Brielle grinned. She reached into a bag and pulled out two bottles of red wine. “Oh, and I bought more wine!”
Brielle was a wine drinker. When she went out clubbing or to a party, she drank liquor or beer, but at home, she drank only red wine. I didn’t mind.
“Good! The bottle in the fridge is almost gone, and I need more after the day I’ve had.” I started back to the living room for the glass I’d left behind.
“How’s my girl?” I heard Brielle ask Lola in a high pitched voice. “Have you been a good girl today? Have you?”
The two of them always seemed to feed off one another’s energy. Maybe that was partly why Lola was so hyper and Brielle never seemed to sleep, their energy was stuck in a constant loop.
“What was so bad about your day?” Brielle asked. Her gray eyes locked on me from over Lola’s head. I bent to pick up my cell from the couch, and when I righted myself, she was closer than I thought possible for such a short span of time.
It wasn’t the first time this had happened. Sometimes I blinked and she was just there, right in front of me as though she’d moved so fast my eyes couldn’t process it. It didn’t happen often, but when it did, it always freaked me out. This time was no different. I took a step back startled from her sudden close proximity, and wine splashed from my glass onto the floor.
“Jesus,” I muttered.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“It’s okay.” I flashed her a smile. “I’m on edge today. It’s because of Halloween. You know how much I hate the stupid holiday.”
Her red painted lips twisted into a grin as amusement flickered in her eyes. “I do.”
I took a sip from my wine and glanced at Lola. She was at my feet, licking up the droplets I’d spilled. People said wine was good for the heart. Maybe that applied to dog hearts too.
“So, what happened today that forced you to drink so early? It’s not even five yet,” Brielle pressed with a wink. “Worried you didn’t buy enough candy for tomorrow? Already get some trick-or-treaters at the shop?”
“No. My mind just hasn’t been right today. I’
ve had like three mini panic attacks. Also, I literally walked into a guy so hard he dropped what he was holding.”
Brielle laughed and I shot her a go-to-hell look.
“I’m sorry,” she said as she struggled to contain herself. “Was he cute?” She arched a perfectly sculpted brow. Of course, that would be all that mattered to her.
I chuckled.
“I’m serious,” she insisted. “How many romantic comedies start that way? Loads, that’s how many.”
I bit my bottom lip. She was right. And maybe this was how my romance with Ren would start. A girl could dream.
“He was cute,” I said.
“Okay, so then running into him wasn’t a bad thing. Don’t let your panic attack crap get the best of you. You’re stronger than it. I know you are.”
Her words came from a place of conviction I only wished I could share when it came to my issues.
“I know, but I looked like a complete idiot.” I sighed as the entire scene played through my mind again. “He’d been there with a business proposal, and I crashed right into him. He’s a woodworker of sorts who makes vases out of bamboo. He wanted to know if I’d partner with him and sell them in my shop.”
Brielle wiggled her brows. “He wanted to partner with you, huh?”
My face flushed through twenty shades of red—the curse of being fair-skinned—as I rolled my eyes at her gutter-brained comment.
“What did you say? Did you like his vase? The size of it…the feel…?” She proceeded to grill me in her best porn star voice.
“Oh my God.” I laughed and swatted at her. She could make anything sound dirty, even flower vases. “I liked them. They were unique and cool looking. I told him I’d partner with him but that I’d have to get back with him later this week on the details of a contract. One I’m going to need the help of a certain paralegal-in-training to create.”
“That can be arranged.” She started unpacking the groceries but paused when she reached the wine. “You look like you need more wine, and I’m all for day drinking, so let’s grab you a refill and pour me a glass too.”
After she opened a new bottle and topped off my glass, I watched her pour herself one. She took a sip and her nose wrinkled like I knew it would with the first taste. I honestly didn’t think she cared for wine, but she insisted she did. She claimed it took a second to get past the first sip and then she was good.
It was strange, but I didn’t tease her about it.
“Anything else I should know about this vase guy you’re partnering with?” she asked.
Loads of things came to mind, but none of them seemed as though they would make sense to her. Heck, she’d probably think I was crazy if I told her about the odd sensation I felt coursing through my veins when we touched.
“No,” I said.
“Oh.” She pouted. Obviously she’d been expecting something more. “Moving on then, what are your plans for tonight?”
“Staying in and watching the next season of iZombie,” I said without hesitation.
I’d be going into hermit mode tonight, and quite possibly tomorrow too, and there wasn’t a thing she could say that would make me want to do anything else. I hated Halloween. It seemed like a greedy holiday bratty kids had taken over. They all wanted candy, and if you didn’t give them the good stuff, they pitched a fit.
“That sounds like fun.” Sarcasm leaked through her tone. Brielle enjoyed everything about Halloween. It was her favorite holiday. “Are you sure you don’t want to go out with me tonight? Skylar, Jade, and the new guy she’s dating, Max, are swinging by around eight to pick me up for a little clubbing action. It’ll be fun. Promise.”
“Nope. I’m good staying home.”
“Oh, come on. I don’t want you to sit around here all lonely like when you’ve had such a crap day. Just come have fun with us tonight. It can be your primer for tomorrow night’s events.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Tomorrow night’s events?”
Tomorrow was Halloween. We’d just been over this. She knew I wasn’t going anywhere on Halloween. I never did. Especially not some random house party. They were the worst. Drunk people, whom you couldn’t figure out if you knew because of their costume, tried to get you to dance with them but only managed to bump you into things you could have bumped into on your own while drunk. The music was always the same overplayed songs. And candy was passed out like mardi gras beads.
No, thank you.
Brielle took a sip from her wine. “Yup. There’s a massive Halloween party happening tomorrow night we were invited to. The guy Jade’s dating, Max… his older brother throws it every year. From what I’ve heard, it’s like the party to attend of the year. I already got you a costume, so don’t worry. All you have to do is dress up and have fun.”
“You’re serious?” She couldn’t be. Why the heck would she buy me a costume?
“Yeah. One hundred percent. Your costume is in the back of my closet. And before you ask, no, I’m not going to show it to you until tomorrow night. I want it to be a surprise. Just know, I really outdid myself though. It’s one of the best costumes I’ve ever seen and will look amazing on you.”
“I really wish you hadn’t done that.” My stomach knotted. I hated feeling as though I was obligated to do something for someone. Which Brielle knew. This was probably why she’d taken it upon herself to buy me a costume.
“We’ll talk more about it tomorrow,” she said before going back to putting up her groceries.
I pursed my lips together. Tomorrow’s conversation would still have the same outcome—I wouldn’t be going to the party. End of story.
I took another sip of wine.
Maybe last year I would have gone with her, but this year, my answer was a flat-out no. The decision was deeply rooted inside me in a way it hadn’t been in previous years. This Halloween, something was different. Off. I could feel a shift in the air. Somehow I knew it had everything to do with my brain glitch, the black orchids, and quite possibly Ren too.
The same sensation I’d felt while touching him earlier pulsed to life at the thought of it all, reaffirming something big was about to happen, something that would change everything.
I could sense it.
Chapter Four
I was halfway through the second episode of the third season of iZombie when a knock sounded at the front door.
“That’s probably Skylar and them.” Brielle poked her head out her bedroom door. “Can you get that for me?”
“Sure.” I paused the TV and forced myself off the couch. Lola went to the door with me. She was curious and slightly on guard when it came to people coming over.
So was I.
I glanced through the peephole and spotted Brielle’s friends. They were an eccentric bunch. For whatever reason I always felt nervous around them. Especially Jade. I got the sense she didn’t like me. I figured it had something to do with my brain glitch, like maybe she thought I was weak to accept it the way I had. Like she’d have put up more of a fight if she had been in my shoes. Jade was also cynical and bold. She definitely wasn’t someone to mess with. Skyler was the exact opposite, though. She was sweet and southern. Super nice and sympathetic. I wasn’t sure how she and Jade had become friends, but whatever tied the two together had to be something major because they were like night and day. I eyed Max next. He seemed to be a perfect fit for Jade. He was just as gothic and emo looking as she was.
I swung the door open. “Hey, Brielle is still getting ready. You guys can come in and wait on her if you want.”
“I take it from the way you’re dressed you’re not coming with us tonight?” Jade asked. Her heavily made-up eyes raked over me in distaste.
“Not tonight, no.” I walked back to my place on the couch and reached for my glass of wine. The three of them had a strong presence about them, one that had me feeling even more off-kilter tonight.
Jade and Max mumbled together about something. Were they talking about me? I couldn’t hear their conversation o
ver Lola trying to get their attention. She gave up after a few more seconds and crept to the couch, seemingly just as content as I was to stay in.
“Wine and TV. Sounds like a good night to me,” Skylar said. She inched closer. “What are you watching? Anything good?” She was always talkative. I thought it had something to do with the whole sweet southern belle thing she had going on.
“iZombie.”
“Oh, I love that show! It’s so clever!” Skylar gushed. “Is this the third season? You’re going to love it. There are some major plot twists that happen.”
I was surprised she watched the show. It seemed too dark for her. Skylar was the type of person who seemed too bubbly for zombie anything.
“I’m ready,” Brielle shouted as she entered the living room. She pulled on her heels while she walked. Her gaze drifted to me. “I have no clue what time I’ll be back, so don’t wait up.”
“I never do.” I smirked.
“Have fun watching TV,” she deadpanned. “I’ll catch you later.” She scooped up her purse and keys from the catch-all table and left the apartment.
“See you later.” Skylar waved before following after Brielle and the others.
“Bye. Have fun,” I said.
Lola curled into my side as the front door clicked shut behind them. I reached for the remote and settled back into the couch, ready to pick up where I’d left off with my show.
Three episodes later, Lola jumped off the couch to pace in front of the door. She needed to go out.
“Hold on.” I paused the TV and made my way to the door. After I slipped my sandals on, I reached for my jacket and then Lola’s leash. “Come here.”
We made our way out the door and down the steps to the ground level. From there, I took her to the grassy area near the side of the building where everyone walked their dogs. A chilly breeze blew, causing me to pull my jacket tighter. Voices of people talking on their balconies made their way to my ears. I couldn’t distinguish anything being said, but in one of the conversations, someone sounded heated. If I had to guess, I’d say it was the couple who lived in apartment 400 H. They were always arguing about something.
The Monster Ball: A Paranormal Romance Anthology Page 44