Elude [H.S.]

TWENTY-SEVEN

(There's no set time to listen to the song above. However, I would suggest not playing it until Maeve comes into the chapter.)

"Do you want me to hang this right here?" I ask, looking over my shoulder and down to Lyn.

I was currently standing on a chair in their foyer, trying to find the perfect place to hang this 'Happy New Year' banner.

Lyn tilts her head to the side and lifts her hands into 'L' shapes, tongue sticking out the corner of her mouth as she also closes one eye.

"Yep," she responds with a nod, dropping her hands back down. "That's perfect."

I attach it to the wall and then carefully make my way back off the chair. Once I put the chair back over by the dining table, I grab my velvety red jacket that I had taken off previously, shrugging it back on my shoulders.

Grey and Lyn asked if I wanted to come over early and help them set up for the party and I happily agreed. I had helped Lyn with most of the decorations while Grey made sure the food was arranged the way Lyn wanted it. He also made sure the alcohol was stocked - setting up a makeshift bar in the kitchen just like they had at Halloween.

Being here at another party feels...strange. I had come over here many times since the last one, I've also been over since Maeve had stayed those few days after everything with Conrad, but this just felt off. It was at the last party here where Maeve and I realized we didn't want to shy away from what we felt any longer. That memory alone makes my heart sink.

I want nothing more than to have that desire between the two of us back.

Maeve and I haven't spoken since she ended our phone call that one evening - the night I ended things with Natalia. I had tried to call her again the next day, but I was still met with silence. I was mostly calling to make sure she was safe since Conrad was home, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't going to try to have her hear me out again.