Chapter Six/Seven

I pushed open the door to the open courtyard. Dark warm air hit us like a wet blanket. We stepped out into the night, and the sounds of the party vanished as the door shut behind us.

Frogs called out, and crickets chirped as we walked across the lawn. I still had his hand in mine as I guided us across the open space and toward a small bridge that led to a wooded area behind it.

“There should be a bunch on the other side of the bridge,” I said, guiding us through the dark. “There's a small creek over there that should attract them.”

I lifted my dress to cross the wooden footbridge that connected two grassy areas.

“Wait, you changed your shoes,” Freddie said, noticing my footwear.

“You think I could have danced in heels?” I said with a laugh. “I can't even walk in heels. Dancing could be deadly.”

“Those do look more comfortable,” he agreed.

“Heels will be my downfall,” I told him. “I can feel it.”

“Death by shoe... sounds terrible,” Freddie agreed with a soft laugh.

The two of us walked