“You say that every time I don’t have my Switch.”
“Yeah, you should maybe take the hint.”
Ethan came over and flopped down on the couch between Will and me. Will shifted to give him more room, but I was fine feeling the squeeze. He looked at me, the ghost of that wry smile glinting in his eyes, and I managed to hold it without breaking. Mostly suspended in the moment by forces way outside of my knowledge and control. Right now, I didn’t care to have either.
“You smell good.” It was barely a whisper. His gaze darted to my mouth.
It was like I could taste the peppermint on his breath when I licked my lips. “Which is a little better than nice, I suppose.”
And he laughed, snapping the tension that had pulled taut between us.
Miles reappeared then, trailed by the one and only, Anouk Belrose. I’d seen so much of her on Liv’s Pinterest, that there was no mistaking those signature bangs. I sat a little straighter,totally starstruck as I watched them haul long racks of clothing into the empty space in front of us. The racks were a riot of color, sequins, feathers, and capes. Pure Halloween mayhem in polyester and tulle.
“Well? What are you waiting for?” Miles clapped his hands a few times and the kids broke out of their flabbergasted daze.
Sadie moved first, wrapping herself in a bright pink feather boa. Even Will got in on it, running his fingers over a neon-green skeleton jumpsuit.
“This is so cool,” he breathed.
Adrian, finally off his call, sauntered in with a paneled changing screen. “Privacy for the indecisive.”
“I’m going first,” Emma announced. “Just looking for something… special.”
Sadie froze mid-spin, holding a tiny pirate hat. “What are you going as, Uncle Miles?”
Miles raised a brow, leaning against the rack with exaggerated cool. “I think I’m a little old for trick-or-treating, kiddo.”
Anouk tutted. “I’m disappointed in you, Miles. Forsaking the best holiday of the year.”
“Excuse me?” He got defensive fast. “I haven’t had the luxury of enjoying a holiday in years. We’re always working.”
“Work hard, play harder,” she countered.
The kids formed an alliance in perfect synchronicity. “You have to go with us! Everyone has to dress up. Come on, it’ll be fun.”
Before Miles could explain himself out of it, a shadow swirled from behind the panels.
It was Adrian in full vampire gear—long black cape, pointy teeth, and even a widow’s peak skull cap. He looked ridiculous, but owned it.
The kids shrieked, and dissolved into giggles. He hissed at Sadie, who sprinted off in a run. Of course, Adrian gave chase, his cape billowing out behind him. The office rang with ecstatic cries for help and Miles calling Sadie back so he could protect her from the evil vampire.
“Uncle Adrian!” she shouted, laughter tangled with terror.
Ethan stood up with a sigh. “Okay, okay, looks like everyone’s going trick-or-treating this year.”
Just then, Adrian lunged at me with theatrical precision, pushing me flat on the couch as he pressed his face into my neck.
“Your blood… smells… delicious,” he growled in a thick Transylvanian accent.
I yelped, half-laughing, half-panicked, and instinctively tried to twist away. The kids were in hysterics, egging him on. I could hear Will’s delighted snorts and Sadie instructing me where to kick him to make it stop. My heart thudded out of control, blood hot in my veins, the weight of him on top of me absurd and delicious all at once.
Finally, he gave up and sat to catch his breath. I did the same, and noticed Emma had gone off by herself. She sat hunched in a corner, her back turned to the costume parade. With the others trying on outfits, I went to check on her.
“Hey,” I said softly, crouching to her level. “You okay?”
She glared up at me, eyes narrowed. “Nobody was listening.”
I blinked. “Listening to what?”
