67

Vivian's POV

I dropped a handful of licorice into a glass vase at the center of the coffee table, stepping back to admire my setup. Normally, girls' night meant cocktails and significantly fewer gummy animals, but since Leonora couldn’t drink, I figured I had done a pretty solid job. The snack spread covered every guilty pleasure—sweet, salty, crunchy. I had even arranged everything neatly, making it feel like an event rather than just an excuse to eat junk food in our pajamas.

Minnie, my ever-curious cat, stretched up on his hind legs, sniffing suspiciously at a cheese puff.

“Oh no, you don’t,” I warned, swatting him away gently. “You already had your catnip. Don’t push it.”

He shot me an unimpressed look, tail flicking in irritation, before sauntering off with all the wounded dignity of a creature who knew he ran this house. I smiled, shaking my head, remembering how Dorian—my ever-indulgent boyfriend—had been caught “accidentally” dropping scrambled eggs for him that morning. At this point, everyone in the house was wrapped around Minnie’s paw.

Footsteps sounded behind me, and without turning, I assumed it was Leonora. Dorian and Adri had been out all day on some errand, and unless Minnie had suddenly grown opposable thumbs, she was the only other person who could have walked in.

“All the essential junk food groups are represented,” I announced, sweeping my arm toward the carefully arranged snack table. “We’ve got gummies—regular and sour. A full chocolate selection, from white to dark, which is obviously superior. And for the savory lovers, five types of chips with three dips, plus popcorn.” I finished with a flourish, pleased with my work. I had spent an hour getting everything just right.

But the moment I turned around and saw Leonora, my sense of accomplishment wavered.

She stood in the doorway, dressed like she was about to take over the city—glittering halter top, matching skirt, flawless makeup, and platform heels that made her look statuesque. Meanwhile, I was rocking Dorian’s oversized gray sweatpants, rolled up five times to fit, and an old, slightly faded t-shirt.

“Wow, you really got dressed up for girls’ night,” I said, giving her outfit a once-over. “Should I... change?” I glanced down at myself, suddenly aware of how ridiculously casual I looked.

“Only if you’re coming with me.” Leonora’s lips curved into a knowing smile, daring me to say yes.

I frowned. “But we’re staying in,” I reminded her, motioning to the couch and the snack display, trying to sell her on the plan. “Movies. Trash TV. Candy.” That was supposed to sound fun.

Leonora, however, did not look convinced. “As tempting as becoming one with the couch sounds,” she said, grinning, “I need something a little more... exciting.”

“This is exciting,” I insisted, trying not to sound defensive. I had actually put effort into this. I thought she’d appreciate it.

She scanned the room like I had just offered her a tour of the world’s most unimpressive museum. “Right. Totally. It’s just not my vibe tonight. I need to dance.”

I glanced at the snack table again, my earlier enthusiasm deflating. I wasn’t going to admit how much effort I’d put into this night, especially not to her.

“Don’t take this the wrong way,” Leonora began, in a tone that guaranteed I would, “but I’m literally saving you from this Depress Fest you’ve got going on. You need to come with me.”

“Movie nights aren’t depressing! Snacks make everything fun,” I argued, but even I could hear the slight edge to my voice.

Leonora just gave me a knowing smile, the kind that made me want to dig my heels in. “Okay, rain check,” she said breezily. “One night, when I’m completely free and bored out of my mind, we’ll do this.”

“There’s no way to take that the right way,” I muttered under my breath.

But she was already pulling me toward the door. “Let’s go have a real girls’ night. I know a great club.”

“A club?” I repeated, raising an eyebrow.

Leonora gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. “Oh no, Vivian. Have you never been to one before? It’s like a bar, but with more dancing.”

“I know what a club is,” I shot back, narrowing my eyes.

She laughed. “Relax, I’m kidding.”

“And how exactly do you plan on getting in? You’re not even old enough.”

Leonora just gave me a look. With a twirl that sent her glittery skirt flaring, she said smugly, “When you look this good, doors open for you.”

I crossed my arms, unimpressed. “Sure. And your brother’s totally cool with this? You told him, right?”

“Yep. The fun police have been notified.” She whipped out her phone, showing me a brief text exchange with Dorian before slipping it back into the tiny, nearly invisible pocket of her skirt. “The boys get to have fun. Why shouldn’t we?”

I hesitated. “Dorian and Adri aren’t out partying. They’re working.”

“Which is their idea of fun,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Not my problem if they’re boring. We’re young, we’re alive. Let’s enjoy it.”

I wanted to argue, but... the idea was starting to sound appealing. Leonora’s energy was infectious, making my cozy movie night seem, well... dull. I did want to have fun. I wanted to feel alive.

“I don’t have anything to wear,” I pointed out, gesturing between our outfits.

Leonora stepped back, giving me a slow, exaggerated once-over. “We’re about the same size,” she mused. “Except your hips. And your boobs.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Oh, you know exactly what you’re doing.”

She just grinned. “I have the perfect dress for you.”

And just like that, I let her pull me down the hall, my carefully planned night abandoned in favor of something unpredictable. My first night out in a long time.