Page 145 of Falling for You

She twists the wing around the buttonhole. I try not to jump as her warm hand touches mine, but she’s fully focused on getting herself free. Of course, she probably hasn’t evennoticed that she’s practically strapped to me and my half-naked chest. Assuming she can’t feel my heart racing.

‘Look,’ she says, her face scrunching up as she successfully bends the wing. ‘I’ve almost got it.’

Around us, everyone has carried on dancing. The busier the dance floor gets, the closer we’re pushed together. I follow the guidance of her hands around the wing, and with a snap, she’s free.

We spring apart.

‘Oh, thank God!’ she cries, and it’s only then that I look at her properly. I’m amazed I hadn’t noticed her before.

She’s petite, around five foot, with dark hair and sparkling eyes that are glistening under her mask. Where everyone else is wearing some form of ball dress or some pathetic ears and tail pinned in place, she is wearing a full-on costume. She is head to toe in grotesque, gory brilliance and her wings jut out dramatically, like she’s about to take flight. Although, one of the wings is now slightly lopsided.

‘I’m so sorry, did I break your costume?’ I ask.

She looks down at the wing and I notice her wince. ‘No, it’s my fault – I should have checked before opening them. Are you okay?’

‘Yes, I’m fine. I …’ I run my fingers through my hair, glancing down at my chest and remembering that my shirt is still open. ‘Oh God,’ I mumble, turning on the spot and quickly doing up the buttons, swearing quietly to myself.

‘Are you American?’ she says, when I finally turn back round to face her.

I nod. ‘And are you a … bat?’

She beams, the pride shining from her face.

‘Let me buy you a drink,’ she says. ‘It’s the least I can do.’

I loop the final button through the hole. Well, Stevie is nowhere to be seen, so I may as well get drunk with a beautiful, bat stranger.

‘Sure,’ I say, gesturing for her to take the lead. ‘After you, Bat Girl.’

She looks over her shoulder and grins at me. ‘Right this way, American Boy.’

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Annie

One thing I did not take into consideration is how I would get the wingsback downonce I’d revealed them in all their glory. When I made the costume, I had every intention of popping them out in the comfort of my flat so I wouldn’t need to try and push them back into place. But now I’m squashed up against a bustling bar, next to a (pretty hot!) man and attempting to not impale anyone else.

I mean, yes, vodka gives you the confidence to get the bat out, but it does not give you any form of thought or preparation for what to do when youcan’t get it back in.

‘Sorry,’ I mumble, glancing to a gaggle of girls who are looking at me like I’m carrying the plague as I try and push my wings down. ‘I just …’

‘Hey.’ I glance up at the American guy, properly looking at his face for the first time, which is half hidden by his mask. I initially offered to buy him a drink because I felt bad for almost stabbing him and to have an excuse to flee the dance floor immediately. Turns out I was so distracted trying to flee that I didn’t notice how hot he was.

He’s wearing a suit, so gets zero points for Halloweencreativity. His mask is also too small for his face, but he has a defined jaw and deep, brown eyes. And there is something else I can’t quite place. A feeling just below my heart. It’s glowing.

‘You go sit down,’ he smiles at me. ‘I’ll get these.’

I’m about to argue, but as I open my mouth I’m shoved closer to the bar by a group of impatient drinkers and I feel my left wing prod into the side of the person next to me. If I don’t get out of this crowd soon, I’m worried someone will rip the wings right off my back.

‘Okay,’ I say gratefully. ‘Thank you.’

As carefully as I can, I manoeuvre my way out of the crowd and sit down on a plush, deep-red sofa to the side of the dance floor. The music has switched from Halloween-themed to general pop, but Tanya’s plan has worked a trick. The dance floor is buzzing with people jumping around and throwing their arms in the air. I can just about spot Tanya’s long arms flailing and see flashes of Penny’s blonde hair, and I smile. Tanya catches sight of me and gives me a concerned look and I nod, giving her the ‘okay’ sign back with my hands.

The adrenaline the vodka was giving me has fully seeped out of my system, and now that I’m sitting alone with a bent wing, I suddenly feel incredibly exposed. Every time someone glances in my direction I get a sharp flash of paranoia that they’re laughing, nudging their mates and pointing at me. It’s making me feel a bit sick.

I get to my feet just as American Boy is coming back, holding a beer and a gin and tonic.

‘Sorry,’ I say. ‘I think I need to leave.’