Page 29 of Haunt the Mall
She smacked it hard. “Thanks, Freddy. You’re not looking so bad yourself.”
“Yeah, I finally found a size that fit.” He stretched out the sweater.
“Actually, you kinda match me.” She used him as a leaning post. “The Devil and Freddy.”
“Ha. Yeah, um, maybe we could take a pic or something?” His hand danced between placement on her shoulder, back, and waist.
She slung her phone out. “Sure. Let me get one of Willow, first.”
Willow grimaced, but Bree took the picture anyway, then turned to AJ to say, "Your turn."
He pricked his fingers on the wings in an attempt to wrap his arm around her. “Whoops, sorry.”
“It’s fine.” She squeezed her arms on either side of her chest for a flattering pose.
AJ flustered about with her wings and blushed.
Oh my gosh, was he crushing on her? Or was all the skin on display scrambling his brain?
“Group photos in two minutes, everybody,” I announced.
Willow slipped off the desk and turned to me, whispering, “I know this look is cool, but it’s not really…pretty.” She glanced back at Bree and AJ.
Ah, to be an insecure teen. “You look great. But wear whatever makes you happy,” I said. “Confidence can make any costume thrilling.”
Even a movie theater uniform, I mused, twisting my necklace around my fingers. My spider man was bound to draw me in no matter what he was—or wasn’t—wearing.
15
Mystery Movie
That night, I sat on my bed with Jinx to plan my big date.
I added black heart and spider emojis to Victor’s contact display name. Texting was so unromantic, but cold-calling set people on edge. I wanted his voice to rip up my insides with desire and soothe them into sated submission.
I groaned and flopped onto the bed. Jinx yelped. What was wrong with me? I snuggled my cat and sighed over my spider man.
What should I send him? A sexy selfie? Something from the party he never got to see?
I opened the camera app by accident instead of the gallery and smiled at me and Jinx. With my winged liner, smudged lipstick, and gorgeous black cat, I was a sight to be seen.
I snapped a few pictures and kissed my cat’s cheek. Jinx pressed his cold nose to mine in appreciation, then wriggled around to nap on my arm. The steady rumble of his purring soothed my anxiety about texting Victor.
He wanted to see me. I selected a few party and personal photos to send him.
< Me: Hey, Mr. Sterling. Sorry you couldn’t make it to the party. Consider these pics VIP rewards ;) >
I barely had time to switch tabs before my phone pinged again. He’d liked my photos.
< Victor: I love a private party. So, when are we having ours? I’m off Thursday. >
I laughed and scratched Jinx’s spine. This guy knew what to say to everything. My photos hadn’t even been that suggestive and there he was scheduling sexy times.
< Me: Works for me. Dinner and a movie? >
< Victor: Dinner *at* the movies. My treat. >
Well, at least I didn’t have to wonder about splitting the tab. But was it a bad sign he didn’t want to talk at dinner first?