Page 256 of Handsome Devil
“Maybe you just need a hammer,” Jesse said suggestively, and Katie poked his arm. “What?” He grinned at me. Jesse was a rocked-out Prince Charming tonight and Katie was a sweet Cinderella; same as last year, just more elaborate costumes this time. The two of them had a theme, and they were sticking with it. Why not? Their fairytale had already come true.
Jude was dressed as a hulking ninja who couldn’t have snuck up on anyone to save his life, and Roni looked hot as hell as one of the guys from Kiss, in a black-and-silver getup with platform boots, cleavage, and a black star mask over one eye.
Talia wore a Carnival get-up, complete with giant feathers and a gorgeous headdress she’d taken off.
This party was filled with jaw-dropping outfits, but I figured mine deserved at least an honorable mention. Metallic leather breast plate, low-cut, big leather belt and leggings, ass-kicking boots, long Viking-babe skirt and superhero cape. My silver helmet was complete with Viking-goddess horns. This was the real deal. I’d spent a lot of money on it.
The invitation had read:Anything with a mask goes.I’d seen superheroes, classic masquerade costumes, formal wear, hot club wear, and everything in-between tonight—and everyone in a mask. That was just part of the fun.
Behind those masks were some of the most famous people in town…
And Lex Davenport.
I spotted him now, behind Jude and Jesse, kind of in the shadows. Pretty much the only place I ever saw the man. I’d seen him earlier tonight, too. Once.
A little while ago, I saw Johnny O’Reilly leave with a small harem of females in tow.
Lex was still here, though, talking to some of Jude’s security guys. And at the mere sight of him, tears welled up in my eyes. I shouldn’t have taken the damn helmet off.
Thiswas why I didn’t even drink tonight. I was way too emotional just knowing I’d probably be seeing Dane’s brother here.
I choked back the tingly burn in my nose and pounded back another swig of Red Bull. I would not cry at this party. I would not go home sad and alone. I was partying with whichever of these fine bitches would have me tonight, until the sun came up.
Then I’d go straight to work.
Maybe I’d never sleep again. Sleep just brought on all the dreams about Dane, and that was becoming untenable.
“Devi,” Katie said.
I blinked my best friend into focus. Katie, Talia and Roni were still looking at me. The guys had turned away again to talk to some people, but the girls were waiting for something.Shit.How many times had they said my name while I stared at Dane’s brother?
“What?” I blinked some more.
Were my eyes glistening?
Was it obvious I’d just been leaking tears in the ladies’ room, frantically dabbing them back so as not to ruin my makeup? That I’d been trying not to cry for the last hour, as I watched all the couples and hookups wander out the door together?
I really shouldn’t have pounded so many Red Bulls. I was trying so hard not to get drunk and sad tonight, I was now buzzing with useless energy and sad.
“Explain,” Roni prompted, maybe trying to divert me from my obvious near-meltdown. “Love the leather leggings. But I still don’t get it. Wasn’t Thor’s girlfriend human?”
“Come on,” I said, exasperated, but glad for the distraction. I’d rather talk about anything right now than my sad-ass self. “Jane Foster. She was goddess of thunder.” The girls all looked back at me blankly. Even Katie just smiled apologetically and shrugged. “She picks up Thor’s hammer and she like,becomesThor.”
“How does she become Thor if Thor is Thor?” Roni inquired.
“I don’t know.”Great question.“Maybe he’s not Thor anymore?”
“I don’t get it,” Talia said, but in her defense, shewasdrunk.
“They’re making a movie about it, people,” I told them. “With Natalie Portman.” Did they not readThe Hollywood Reporter?
“Oh!” Talia said. “You’re Natalie Portman?”
Roni’s eyebrow spiked. “Is Chris Hemsworth in this movie?”
I rolled my eyes. “Who cares.”
Roni raised her hand in the air. So did Talia.
