Unmasked (King Morine #4)

29. Mallory

CHAPTER 29

Mallory

“ I t’s October. Officially spooky season.” Mandy gives me a devilish grin, clapping her hands together.

I grin. “I love everything about spooky season.”

“And your birthday is on Halloween, which means we need to make it extra special.”

I blink at her in surprise. “I’ve never had anyone make a big deal of my birthday before.”

“What?”

I meet Mandy’s wide eyes in the bathroom mirror as I apply lip gloss. She’s holding her mascara wand, staring at me like I grew another head.

Shrugging, I try to play it off, but the sympathy oozing from Mandy prevents me from making eye contact with her. Shame practically seeps from my pores.

“I’m sorry, Mallory. I’m enraged that your parents never made it a big deal.” She turns to me, pulling me in her embrace. “We’ll celebrate like crazy this year. Every weekend will consist of spooky fun.” She pulls back, her eyes sparkling. “Change of plans. We’re going to the haunted barn. ”

“Haunted barn?”

She nods. “There’s a barn near campus where they have a dance. Festive fall food. A hayride through the fields. A corn maze.” She grabs her phone, pulling it up so I can see the photos.

“Oh, that does look fun. But everyone is dressed up.”

“Easy peasy. We’ll go as scarecrow girls.” She pulls up Pinterest, swiping through a few images before she thrusts her phone in my face. “We’ll do this look on you. All you need is jeans and a plaid shirt.”

“Can you help me with the make-up?”

“Absolutely. Do you have a plaid shirt?”

“Yes, I ordered one online because I love the colors.” I barrel out of the bathroom and straight to my closet. I grab a pair of dark denim skinny jeans, an orange and navy blue plaid shirt, and brown boots and hurriedly put them on. Then I rush back into the bathroom to show Mandy.

“Oh, I love it.” She claps her hands excitedly. “I have a similar shirt. I’ll do our makeup, and then we can head to my place.” She grabs her phone. “I’ll order an Uber to take us there.”

After Mandy finishes my makeup, I grab my ID and some money, just in case. My phone beeps in my hand.

MASKED MAN: You look adorable.

ME: Obviously, you have cameras in my bedroom. Pervert.

MASKED MAN: Gotta keep my woman safe.

ME: I’m not yours.

MASKED MAN: The hell you’re not. And I’ll prove it.

As Mandy and I leave the apartment, excitement courses through me. I wonder when and how the masked man will prove I’m his.