Dark Hearts (Light in the Dark 3)

I open the curtain and they both gasp.

“That’s amazing on you,” Rae tells me.

“You look like a real girl now,” Thea jokes. “This is perfect.”

I move to the mirror and look at the dress from every angle.

The bodice of the dress hugs my chest, all the way down to my hips, where it flows out and cascades down to the floor. What makes it so eye-catching is the detailing on the chest. There’s see-through mesh fabric and lace detailing that extends to the back. It’s simple but incredibly sexy. I know Jace will lose his mind when he sees it.

“You have to get it,” Thea says. “You’re not going to find anything better than this.” I nod in agreement. “Oh!” she cries. “Shoes. You need shoes. And jewelry. I’ll be right back.”

Before either Rae or I can say anything, she takes off for the opposite end of the boutique.

When she returns, she holds out a pair of black stilettos and silver chandelier earrings. I wave away the earrings but take the shoes. I slip them on, instantly six inches taller, and wobble.

“Think I can get away with wearing boots under my dress?” I ask.

“Not a chance,” Thea says.

I sigh. I know she’s right.

“Guess I better practice,” I mumble.

I teeter back into the dressing room and change back into my clothes before heading to buy the dress and shoes.

I balk at the price since it’s nearly two-months’ worth of rent, but since Jace never cashes my checks it’s not that big of a deal. He even tried to get me to take his credit card with me today to buy my dress, insisting I wouldn’t need to buy one if it wasn’t for him, but I refused.

Once I’m armed with my garment and shopping bag, the girls and I head around the corner to get a bite to eat.

Shopping makes you hungry, apparently.

I find myself smiling, and laughing, and enjoying myself.

Normally, when I hang out with just the girls I’m counting down the minutes until I can leave and do my own thing. It’s not that I don’t like my friends, it’s just hard to sometimes feel like I belong.

I think maybe I’ve finally found my place in the world.

Jace

I tug on my solid black tie.

My all-black tux feels suffocating, and I haven’t even stepped foot out of the apartment.

It’s going to be a long night.

I appraise my appearance in the bathroom mirror, looking for any flaw my dad might find.

I shaved—so he can’t call me a hoodlum for not shaving.

My hair is slicked back and gelled, so there’s no chance it’s going to fall in my eyes—something else he hates.

The only thing I can find that he might find fault in is the scowl on my face I can’t seem to

erase.

I turn off the bathroom light and sit at the kitchen table, waiting for Nova to finish getting ready.

Nothing prepares for the sight that meets me when she walks out of her room.