Page 5 of Hollow House

The black dress hugged my curves down to my mid-thigh. I debated wearing the black lace tights I recently bought, torn between it being too much or not. The note gave no indication of a dress code, but I knew what the rumors said.

I decided not to wear them.

The party was filled with the wealthiest, all pulled in by one man himself: the man who owned the large estate sitting just outside of town. No one knew his name or when he came to town, but most agreed he was some form of millionaire. An investor, maybe?

Mentally, I added it to the list of things I wished to gain from the party.I was going with a purpose. This article would pull me out of the small town I was stuck in and allow me the freedom I sought.

A knock at the door abruptly pulled me from the thought.

My heart nearly stopped, and I knocked over the glass of wine I poured myself earlier in the night for courage. A towel sat slung over on my vanity chair, and I grabbed it, tossing it over the spill. Thankfully, it was just white wine. Red would’ve been a bitch to clean up.

I hurried down my stairs to the front door, throwing it open. Felix didn’t wait for an invite, walking in right past me. He went straight for the steps, and I followed, shutting the door.

By the time we made it back to my room, I felt out of breath as the adrenaline finally settled. My nerves crept back in about the party, and one look to my friend told me he knew.

“You’re seriously doing this?” he asked, eyeing me. “Sloane, who never wants to grab drinks and works all day, every day, is going to Hollow House?”

I nodded.“Please don’t try to talk me out of it,” I started, sure that if he did, I would instantly cave.

“Oh, I won’t. I think you desperately need to get laid,” he said, shaking his head at me. “Wear the slutty heels.”He point to the corner, where my black heels I reserved for rare occasions sat.

“I do not—” I started, trying to think of the last time I’d brought someone home with me.

Not that my happiness relied on it, but it was nice to let loose sometimes.

“Fine,” I conceded and grabbed the black heels.

“You’re allowed to have a bit of fun on occasion,” he reminded me.

“I know. I just feel like I can’t stop to breathe until I make it out of here,” I admitted.

“You know, it’s not so bad here,” he said.

Ah, the conversation I avoided. The one I knew came with a world of hurt at the reality that someday, I would have to leave him.

“I know, and you know I love the people here.”

“But it’s not enough?” he asked.

“I have to see what else is out there, before I chicken out and get stuck here with only regrets and empty dreams.”

He nodded.

“Come with me,” I told him. “New York is the hub of publishing. You’d be right at home there too.”

“I wish I could,” he said. “But that’s your dream. I’m already living mine.”He smiled gently and put a hand on my shoulder. I pulled him in to a hug and realized I was trembling again.

Fear of not knowing what would happen had sunk its claws into me. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice cracking.

“Never apologize for being true to yourself. I want you to get everything you’ve dreamed of, and if that’s New York, I will be the first one there, helping you unload your boxes when you move.”

I pulled back to find his face completely serious.“I appreciate that,” I said.

“Now let’s get you to this party. I swear, if you’re late to this, I will never forgive myself.”

“I have all night, Felix,” I said, knowing the lights on the estate never faded until the following morning every year.

“You’re going to need it,” he said and winked.

I rolled my eyes and finished my makeup, adding the finishing touch of silver eyeshadow.

“Fucking gorgeous,” Felix complimented.

“You’re required to say that,” I noted.

“Maybe.” He shrugged. “But right now, I mean it.”

“Mhm,” I answered, tossing lip gloss into the small black purse I settled on bringing.

Felix grabbed my arm and turned me toward him.“Sloane, seriously,” he said. “I know I don’t know everything that goes on at work, but whatever the fuck they said to have you so set on this, they are a bunch of dicks. If anyone can get this article written, it’s you.”

“Thanks,” I whispered.

“Now go have fun while you do it,” he said with a peck to my cheek.

I finished grabbing what I needed, and together, we made our way downstairs.

“Be safe,” he said before walking me out.

“I will,” I promised, stopping at the end of my walkway to give him a quick hug before turning in the direction of Hollow House.