SUMMER
Eight o'clock came faster than I expected.
I stood in front of the full-length mirror in the closet and tried to remember the last time I'd worn anything that wasn't chosen for invisibility.
The outfit had found me rather than the other way around — a black leather mini skirt, a simple cream blouse tucked loosely into the waistband, and ankle boots with a small heel that gave me just enough height to feel like a different person. Not my usual. Not even close to my usual. But the mirror wasn't arguing with me, and I'd learned to take small victories where I found them.
I touched the emerald at my throat — habit by now — and went downstairs.
Maddox was leaning against the banister at the bottom of the stairs, scrolling his phone. He looked up when he heard me, and the slow grin t
