Content To Be Claimed (Beauty And The Beast #1)

Chapter 31

I drove aunt Lily, Jenny and Neil to the airport the next morning as the guys were busy.

"Don't worry, dear," aunt Lily assured me as we said our goodbyes, "we'll be here for the party."

How comforting. I smiled and hugged her. "I'll look forward to it."

"Take care of yourself," Neil said.

"You too. And be patient with Jeff. After all, he is your best friend."

"Yeah, I guess."

"Bye, Jenny." I hugged her and whispered, "See you soon, princess."

As I drove home, I called Victor.

"Yo," he said, making me smile.

"Hey. You gone yet?"

"No, but I'm on my way out."

"So no coffee for me today?"

He chuckled. "Just this once, I promise."

"Okay, happy hunting."

"You mean that?" He sounded incredulous.

"Yes and no, and don't make me think about it."

I heard the grin in his voice as he said, "Cool. Later."

Warren called when I walked into the house. "Have you a fixed agenda?"

"Yeah, figured I might as well do homework." When he started laughing I rolled my eyes. "I've been known to do it sometimes, you know."

"May I join you?"

"Sure, come over."

We worked in companionable silence for hours. I was sprawled on the floor doing all my math homework, and Warren was reading on the couch. When Keith got in from work he found us working and decided to get out of the way.

Monday morning brought with it a new buzz of excitement. I felt it the moment I walked in. Anya and Amber were already by their lockers. They were dressed in more summer friendly clothes, making me stand out in my jeans and sneakers. "Hey guys."

They both greeted me and Anya tugged on her short skirt as she asked, "So what do you think? I bought it last fall and have been dying to try it."

I didn't like skirts but I could appreciate them. I smiled and said, "It's so you."

"Like, totally, right?" she gushed.

"Have you guys seen Victor?" I asked.

"Um, no," Amber replied, then leaned in with a smile. "Who do you think is gonna be his prom date?"

I raised a brow. "Hm. I have no idea."

"Okay ladies, gentlemen and hot babes," Chris whistled, watching Natalie and her friends as they sashayed by, waving at him, "your attention please!" He was on a skateboard, skating in a small circle, and he stopped to stare at Anya. "My god, this is why I love summer! Where have those legs been all winter?!"

Anya blushed with pleasure, making Amber and I laugh. Chris went back to skating, handing out the flyers in his hands. "Right, listen up! You all know that on Friday is the biggest event you've been waiting for. I mean, let's face it, the ladies have been dreaming about it since fifth grade, and guys... Well, we've been waiting a whole month." The guys whooped and whistled as he went on, "So we finally have our theme, and ladies, give us something to dream about."

There were more cheers and hoots - with some cat calls - as I got a flyer and stared. "The year of the Cat? Really?" Who came up with this?

Chris skated to my side. "Yep. And afterwards we're all going to Panther Hollow to make out. Think you can ditch Warren?"