“Yeah, that’s probably for the best,” I muttered, hoping my voice didn’t waver too much. My nerves were flooding back like a tidal wave, and that just wouldn’t do. I had to be seductress Jemma tonight. Complete with lucky undies, freshly laundered, and hair freshly curled, and makeup sultrier than I had ever worn before …

And the last dress my fashion designer mother had made before she died.

* * *

“Phwoar!”

I smacked my lips together once, ensuring the pink-tinted gloss was thoroughly coated before I turned.

“I thought Ezra was going to your house!” I squeaked at a smirking Humphrey.

“I came over to pick him up. Parking’s a bitch in my neighbourhood.” Humphrey’s eyes did a sweep of me from head to toe. “Speaking of bitches, you are the hottest one on the planet!”

“Umm, thanks, I think,” I managed, as the nerves threatened to swallow me whole once more.

He would be here soon. He would be here soon. What if he arrived by his creepy Hell portal thingy right into the middle of the apartment while Ezra and Humphrey were there? What if he … what if he wasn’t impressed by the effort I’d gone to? What if I was really just a soul he was vying for, and there was nothing more to the way he behaved around me …?

“He’s not going to be able to keep his hands off you,” Humphrey confided, leaning close and squeezing my arm. “Hell, I’d do you, and I’ve never once had even the slightest inclination towards girl-tits and lady-bits.”

I choked on a laugh, narrowly missing poking myself in the eye with my mascara wand in the process. “Well, it’s lucky for Ezra that you’re only interested in boy-tits and man-bits. Wouldn’t want him feeling like he has competition in me.”

“Who has competition?” Ezra’s head popped around the door, and the way his eyes widened shaved the edge off the nerves. The very tiniest shave.

“No one, you big sexy redhead! Now, vamoose, please, so I can finish getting ready without having my ego overinflated by you two.”

I went back to my makeup, but Ezra’s face appeared in the mirror behind me.

“You look so beautiful. That dress fits like it was made for you.”

“Don’t,” I blurted, grabbing a tissue and dabbing hurriedly under my eyes. “What is it with you and ruining my mascara?”

“I hope he’s worth it, Jem,” he murmured, giving my shoulders a squeeze. “The dress, and the makeup … and your heart. You deserve someone who’ll worship the ground you walk on.”

I swallowed around the rock in my throat, throwing a watery smile at my best friend. “I really think he is,” I lied. “Now, go, enjoy the night with your deserving man!”