The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 4

Phoebe's POV.

I apply the last of my lip—gloss and then step out of the bathroom. I'm wearing a short black skirt and crop top.

It's summer and the evenings are still warm, and I want to show off some skin.

Now that I finally can.

My twin sister is waiting in the kitchen, texting on her phone. She looks up and smiles as I come in.

'It's a really beautiful place you have here,' I compliment her apartment.

'Thank you,' she replies with a smile. Her brows furrow slightly as she thinks of something. 'You know, you can stay over any time that you like You're welcome here whenever.'

I give her a tight smile back. She better not start this tonight, I'm not in the mood.

This is the first time we've spent time together alone in a while. I want it to be a good night, not one filled with arguments.

'Thanks,' I reply bluntly.

'You look great!' Paige says, trying to lighten the mood.

'Thank you, so do you.'

We have some drinks at hers, picking safe topics to talk about. Our parents, Xaden and Noelle, are one of the topics we avoid.

When we're feeling a light buzz, we get a taxi into the city center. It's a Saturday night and the streets are filled with people.

Paige takes me to her favorite bar first. I order a cocktail and we find a table on the upstairs floor.

We're identical twins. We both have dark hair, dark skin and dark eyes. We take after our mother in our looks, which I am very thankful for. Our mother, Noelle, is stunning.

Paige's walnut—colored skin is contrasted beautifully by her orange dress. Not many people can confidently pull off orange, but my twin and I can.

'Mum and Dad stopped by last week,' she says casually.

I narrow my eyes at her. 'Don't start.'

She shrugs, feigning innocence.

'I'm just saying that they stopped by. They asked about you.'

I roll my eyes and down the last of my drink. 'I texted her last week, I don't know what more Mum wants.'

My twin frowns at me. 'She wants to see you, Phoebe. She misses you.'

Guilt fills me and I hate it. 'I'm getting another drink. Do you want one'

Paige shakes her head. I buy my drink and return to her, hoping that we can change the topic of conversation.

Paige doesn't mention our parents again. We continue enjoying our evening. We move on to another bar and have a laugh. We drink some more and dance together.

It's nice to feel so carefree after stressing for so long.

After we've danced for a while, we sit down again to cool off. I'm sipping on my cocktail when I make eye contact with a guy across the bar.

He's human for sure, but he's cute. He smiles at me, and I smile back. Paige catches our interaction and rolls her eyes.

'He's human,' she comments.

'I know,' I reply and take another sip of my drink.

A few moments later, the human comes over to us.

'Hey, I'm Grant,' he introduces himself. 'I'm sorry to disturb your evening, I promise I'll be quick.'

I smirk at him. 'I hope not.'

He grins back at me. 'I just wanted to say that you're gorgeous and I'd love to get your number so that I could take you out sometime.'

'Thank you, Grant. I like your confidence. I'm Phoebe.'

I put out my hand for his phone. Grant smiles excitedly and hurriedly pulls his phone from his pocket. He unlocks it and hands it to me. I input my number and give it back.

'I hope to hear from you,' I tell him.

'You definitely will. Have a good night, ladies.'

My twin remains silent, judging me from across the table. I sigh as Grant walks away and she's still eyeballing me.

'What' I ask irritably. 'Go on, say it. It's written all over your face.'

'You have a mate,' she says disapprovingly.