Chapter 19
Liam
I feel like an idiot.
I’m standing in Cole and Harper's apartment dressed as a pirate, complete with tricorn hat, eye patch, a fake beard, long coat, and boots.
The apartment has been transformed it into something out of a fantasy. Low lighting casts dramatic shadows across the walls. String lights and candles create an atmospheric glow.
Music pulses through hidden speakers, just loud enough to feel the bass but quiet enough for conversation. The décor is perfect for a costume party.
I adjust my eye patch for the third time in as many minutes. The thing keeps slipping, and the fake beard itches like hell. But at least no one can recognize me, which is the point.
I scan the crowd, searching for Avery.
The room is packed with people in elaborate costumes. A flapper chatting with what looks like a zombie. A cowboy doing shots with an astronaut. Someone dressed as Napoleon is holding court near the kitchen. It's surreal and disorienting, not being able to recognize anyone.
I make my way toward the bar, still searching for Avery's face in the crowd.
“Arrr, matey,” someone says beside me in an exaggerated pirate accent. “Looking for buried treasure?”
I turn to find a guy in a pinstripe suit, fedora pulled low, holding a cocktail. He's grinning like he knows something I don't.
“Just a drink,” I say, signaling the bartender.
“Rum, I presume?” The guy is still grinning. “You know, I always thought pirates were overrated. All that seafaring and plundering. Seems like a lot of work.”
“Uh, yeah. Sure.” I take my beer and start to move away.
“Where you going so fast, Nova?”
I freeze. Turn back. “Jake?”
He lifts his fedora slightly, his grin widening. “Took you long enough.”
“How did you recognize me?” I slap him on the shoulder.
“Dude, you walk like a hockey player. Even with the pirate getup, I'd know that stride anywhere.” He claps my shoulder. “Nice beard though. Very convincing.”
“Why didn't you say something earlier?”
“Because watching you not recognize me was hilarious.” He takes a sip of his drink. “You looking for someone?”
“No,” I lie.
“Right. She here yet?”
“Nope.”
I move through the crowd, hyperaware of every woman in the room. There is a woman with blond hair visible beneath an elaborate mask. My heart jumps. I move closer, navigating around a medieval knight who nearly collides with me.
“Sorry, man,” the knight says, his voice muffled by his helmet.
“No problem.” I sidestep him and continue toward the woman.
But when I get close enough to see her eyes, my stomach sinks. It’s not Avery. Not even close.
I retreat awkwardly, pretending I was heading toward the balcony door all along.
This is torture.
I've been here maybe twenty minutes and I'm already going insane. Where is she? Did she change her mind? Did she decide this was too risky?
A woman laughs somewhere to my left and my head snaps toward the sound. For a second, I think it's Avery's laugh. I push through the crowd, past a hippie in a long wig and sunglasses.
But when I reach her, it's not Avery. Just another stranger in a costume, laughing at something a friend said.
Disappointment crashes through me.
I pull out my phone, checking for messages. Nothing. The timestamp shows 6:47 PM. She said she'd be here.
Maybe I should text her. Just a quick “Where are you?” or “Are you coming?”
But that seems desperate. Everything I'm trying not to be after last night.
I shove my phone back in my pocket and position myself near the entrance where I have a clear view of the door. A woman in what looks like a Renaissance gown catches my eye, except she’s not my woman.
I'm losing my mind.
The music dims suddenly, and a woman in an elaborate Catwoman costume steps to the center of the room. It takes me a second to realize it's Harper. Her voice carries across the space above the chatter of conversation.
“Hi everyone. Thank you so much for being here tonight.” She beams before continuing. “Cole will be arriving in about ten minutes, so here's the plan. When I give the signal, everyone needs to stay quiet. We'll dim the lights. When he walks in, we all yell ‘Happy birthday.’ Got it?”
Enthusiastic agreement ripples through the crowd.
“After the big reveal, feel free to unmask if you want. But until then, keep the mystery alive.”
People laugh and start repositioning themselves.
Ten minutes until Cole arrives. Ten minutes and Avery still isn't here.
My chest tightens with anxiety. I check my phone again. 6:52 PM. Still nothing.
Someone mentions they hope Cole is actually surprised, that Harper's managed to keep this secret for weeks.
I don't care about any of it.
Every time the apartment door opens, my heart jumps. But it's just another guest arriving late. A couple dressed as Romeo and Juliet. Someone in a full astronaut suit who takes forever to get through the doorway.
It’s now five minutes until Cole arrives.
I pull out my phone one more time. My thumb hovers over her name in my messages. I should text her and ask her if she's still coming. Fuck appearing desperate. I’m desperate.
I'm about to text her when the door opens one more time.
And there she is.
She's silhouetted by the hallway light behind her wearing an 18th-century gown in pale blue and cream, with a fitted bodice and a skirt that flows around her like water.
A powdered wig covers her blond hair and a mask covers the upper half of her face, decorated with tiny pearls and silver thread.
Most people probably wouldn't recognize her. The wig completely changes her appearance, and the mask hides enough of her features that she could be anyone.
And then she turns slightly, still scanning the crowd, and even in the low light, even through the mask, I see her eyes.
Green bedroom eyes.
I would know those eyes anywhere.
Relief crashes through me. She's here. Now the party can start.
I push off from the wall and move through the crowd toward her. She hasn't seen me yet as she's still standing near the entrance, looking uncertain. I navigate past a group dressed as various superheroes.
Avery is talking to Harper now.
I'm almost to her when the lights dim even further. Harper's voice carries through the space: “He's pulling up. Everyone get ready.”
The room erupts in excited whispers as people scramble to their positions. The music cuts out completely. Someone kills the main lights, leaving only the candles and string lights to illuminate the space.
I use the chaos to close the remaining distance between us.
Avery has moved slightly away from Harper, positioning herself near a window. I step up beside her, close enough that our arms nearly touch.
Startled, she turns quickly. Her eyes widen behind the mask as she takes in my pirate costume.
“May I have the next dance, my lady?” I say, keeping my voice low enough that only she can hear.
Recognition floods her expression. Then she laughs and the sound makes everything worth it.
“You're ridiculous,” she whispers back, but she's smiling.
“That's not a no.”
Before she can respond, someone announces: “He's at the door!”
The entire room goes silent. It’s pitch black except for the faint glow of candles.
The apartment door opens and Cole’s voice rings across the room, asking why the lights are off.
Then Harper flips the switch and everyone screams: “Happy birthday!”
The room explodes in cheers and laughter. Cole stands frozen in the doorway, shock on his face as he takes in the crowd of costumed guests. Harper launches herself at him, and he catches her, lifting her off her feet while everyone applauds.
In the chaos and noise, I take Avery's hand.
She looks at me but doesn't pull away.
“Dance with me,” I say again, and this time it's not a question.
The music starts back up. People are already crowding around Cole, offering birthday wishes and hugs. No one is paying attention to us.
Avery lets me lead her toward a corner where the lighting is even dimmer. My hand finds her waist over the elaborate gown, and she places her hand on my shoulder. We start swaying, not quite in time with the music but close enough.
“I thought you weren't coming,” I say.
“I almost didn't.” Her eyes search my face. “This is risky, Liam.”
“I know.”
“Someone might recognize us,” she says.
“They won't. Look around. Everyone is focused on Cole.” I pull her slightly closer. “Besides, we're in costume. We could be anyone.”
She relaxes slightly into my arms. “You make a surprisingly convincing pirate.”
“You make a stunning Victorian lady.”
We dance in silence for a moment. The party swirls around us but here in our little corner, it feels like we're in our own world.
“I missed you today,” I murmur against her ear. “Even though I just saw you a few hours ago.”
“That's ridiculous.”
“You keep saying that.” I pull back enough to see her face. “Doesn't make it less true.”
She opens her mouth to respond, but Harper's voice cuts through the music: “Okay everyone, Cole is here, the surprise is complete. Feel free to unmask and mingle. Let's celebrate!”
People start removing masks and hats, revealing their identities. Laughter erupts as teammates recognize each other.
“We should separate,” Avery says, but she hasn't moved from my arms.
“In a minute.” I rest my forehead against hers, closing my eyes. “Please.”
For sixty more seconds, we just sway together until reality intrudes.
“Liam, is that you?” Cole's voice cuts through our bubble.
We spring apart like teenagers caught making out. Cole is approaching with Harper, both grinning widely.
“Nice costume, man,” Cole says, pulling me into a hug. “Didn't recognize you at first.”
“That was the point.” I glance at Avery, who's suddenly very interested in adjusting her mask. “Happy birthday, Cap.”
“Thanks for coming.”
“Wasn’t going to miss it,” I lie. “I heard it was going to be a good party.”
Harper smiles. “I'm so glad you both could make it. Avery, you look absolutely stunning.”
“Thank you. This party is incredible, Harper.”
“It was a labor of love.” Harper links her arm through Cole's. “Come on, birthday boy. People want to say happy birthday.”
They disappear into the crowd, leaving Avery and me standing awkwardly apart.
“We should mingle,” she says.
“Yeah.”
Neither of us moves.
“Later?” I ask. “After this? Come back to my place?” I’d told her my plans earlier, but I have to make sure she’s okay with it. I don’t want her to feel like I’m forcing her.
Silence stretches between us.
“Okay,” she finally says. “But we leave separately.”
“Deal.”
Then she disappears into the crowd, leaving me standing alone in my ridiculous pirate costume, feeling like the luckiest idiot in the room.
She's coming home with me.