They both greeted him, and Thad complimented both of their costumes as he tucked his shield next to one of the stools and pulled out his camera.
Catherine was dressed as Moira Rose fromSchitt’s Creekbut Thad wasn’t entirely sure what Liam was. He was dressed in his usual style of trousers with a button-down shirt or sweater, but tonight he’d added a flat woolen cap.
“What exactly are you supposed to be?” Thad asked.
“A feckin’ Irish bartender, what do you think?” Liam asked with a look that suggested he thought Thad should have figured that one out on his own.
“Right,” Thad said with a laugh. “You wear it well.”
Liam grinned. “So, what can I get you? There are some Halloween specials there, but order whatever you’d like.”
He gestured to the chalkboard menu sign nearby. Thad studied it for a moment, debating between a few options before deciding on the spicy apple cider margarita.
“Sure thing,” Liam said, turning away.
“So, was this all you?” Thad asked Catherine, gesturing to the decorations around them.
She grinned. “Absolutely not. Jesse has thrown himself into event planning with a vengeance. I helped with execution, but he was the genius behind the look.”
Thad laughed as he caught a glimpse of a skeleton arranged on its side in a seductive pose along the far wall. “It is impressive,” he admitted.
“You know,” Catherine said, leaning in and speaking in a conspiratorial tone. “When Connor married Vivian, I assumed I’d have another daughter-in-law who loved helping with events like this. She didn’t. I never minded that about her, but I must admit, I amthoroughlyenjoying Jesse’s zeal for it. Though, I think at this rate, he’ll easily outdo me soon.”
“I would imagine,” Thad said, nodding his thanks at Liam who had returned with a lowball glass filled with an amber-colored drink garnished with ice and a few thin slices of apple.
He took a sip, loving the fresh tartness of the apple cider, the earthy smokiness of the tequila, and the sweet bite of hot honey.
“Well done,” he said to Liam.
He merely shrugged. “It was all that goaltender of yours. He gave me a recipe and told me what to make.” But there was a twinkle in his eye as if to say he didn’t mind it.
“He outdid himself tonight,” Thad said.
Catherine grinned. “Just wait until you see his costume.”
Thad laughed. “I can only imagine what he’s come up with.”
For a little while, Thad talked to Catherine as he sipped his cocktail, just taking in the vibes of the space as Harriers players and staff filtered in.
When he’d drained the last of his cocktail, he excused himself to get the pictures he’d promised his boss. Should he have been drinking while technically on the clock? Probably not, but he didn’t think anyone would begrudge him tonight.
He’d just finished documenting the excellent decor and started capturing costumes when Graham walked into the bar with a couple of other people.
Graham was wearing a toga.
It looked good on him, the white fabric setting off his warm, golden coloring and leaving his muscular calves and one shoulder bare.
Thad glanced down ruefully at his own costume. It was a Roman gladiator costume. He was pretty sure he’d picked it because when he was browsing online for ideas, he’d seen it, and it had made him think of the movie he and Graham had watched a while ago.
Apparently, Graham had gone in that direction too.
Then Thad focused on the peoplewithGraham and laughed even harder.
Connor was a very pissed-off-looking rabbit.
Roger Rabbit, to be precise. And Jesse … he was dressed as a surprisingly convincing Jessica Rabbit.
Obviously, he didn’t have the outrageously curvy build of the busty character, but padding underneath the slinky, sparkly reddress helped with the illusion and his confidence allowed him to pull off the towering heels and auburn wig, despite the width of his shoulders and the squareness of his jaw.
