Succubus Dreams Page 0,33

fit perfectly.

"There isn't an extra inch here," she fretted, pulling at the fabric around the waist.

"Exactly."

"Doesn't it make me look fat?"

"It makes you look great. If it were spandex or something, there might be a problem, but this is light and drapey."

"The neckline's awfully low - "

"Oh, be quiet," I snapped. "And let's finish the rest of you."

I did her makeup and arranged her hair down for a change. It shone like black silk when brushed out, and I thought it was a shame she wore it in a haphazard ponytail so often. Besides, everyone knows that in the movies, shy girls always become beautiful by letting down their hair and taking off their glasses. Maddie already wore contacts, but the principle was still sound. I finally finished her off with half-heeled shoes I'd bought to match the dress. Higher ones would have looked better, but even I knew when not to press my luck. Satisfied with the results, we headed out to the auction.

"You're like my fairy godmother," she muttered as we walked into the hotel the event was being held at. "But I'm still a pumpkin."

I elbowed her. "How did you get so negative? You should start some angstful emo rock band to compete with Doug's."

"Oh, yeah. That'd go over - hey, is that Seth?"

We were cutting across the open room the auction would take place in, heading toward the volunteers' area. Lots of people had gathered, filling most of the round tables facing the stage. I followed her gesture to where Seth sat at one of the few tables that wasn't already full. Seeing us notice him, he held up his hand in greeting.

"He wanted to come support you," I told her. Actually, Seth had been appalled at me strong-arming Maddie into this and had attended mainly out of a perverse fascination at what he thought might end in disaster.

But Maddie, not knowing his motives, was pleasantly surprised. She smiled, and I nearly swooned.

"That," I said. "That right there is what you need to do."

The smile dropped. "That what?"

Hugh practically skipped over when he saw us. "I knew you didn't hate kids. I knew you'd cave and come help - "

"Not me," I said. "Maddie." I rested a hand on her shoulder.

Hugh's face turned perfectly blank. "Oh?"

Just then, a tall brunette in a black satin evening dress strolled over. The "fucking fox," presumably. She extended her hand. "Hello, I'm Deanna, the coordinator. You must be Hugh's friend?"

"Georgina," I said, shaking. "But Maddie here is your volunteer. She's a journalist for an important women's magazine."

Deanna's eyes lit up. "Ah! We love celebrities. Let me take down your information."

She led Maddie away. As soon as they were gone, Hugh turned on me. "What the hell? I wanted Georgina, and you give me Georgy Girl."

"You are such an asshole. That's a horrible thing to say."

He shrugged, eyes on Maddie. "I call 'em like I see 'em. She's huge."

My eyes were on Maddie too. She actually looked quite slim in the dress, but Hugh was one of those guys who liked bony types - so long as their chests were big enough.

"You're the reason women have such horrible self-esteem issues. You tear them apart. Women, I mean. Not the issues."

"Look, I'm sure she's not all bad," he said. "She probably gives good head."

I rolled my eyes. "Flatterer. Why do you say that?"

"Fat girls always do. They have to. Only way they can get men."

I punched him in the arm. Hard.

"Ow! Fuck, that hurt."

"You're a jerk," I told him. "Maddie's beautiful."

"She's okay," he said, rubbing his injured arm. "And I can't exactly have just okay tonight - not with that liability already on deck."

He pointed over to where some of the other volunteers waited. Immediately, I found what he referred to. It was easy because Tawny towered over the other women by about a foot.

"Holy Christ," I said. "How did that happen?"

He threw up his hands, looking miserable. "She latched on to the idea when you mentioned it at the bar."

"I didn't even think she heard me," I said apologetically.

Hugh waved me toward the crowd. "Too late now. Go have a seat, Brutus, so this disaster can get under way. You've ruined the night. I don't know why you hate kids so much."

I gave him a parting glare and went off to find Seth. The vampires had joined him since I'd come in.

"You guys here to get a date or a victim?" I asked.

"Neither," said Peter. "We're here to see the Tawny