Chapter 9 - Maren
Maren
I once got so drunk at a tequila bar in Seaport, that Liv had to give her phone number to a couple of strangers so they’d help load me into the back of a cab. I was sick for two whole days following that, my skin a light shade of green.
Today’s trip to the vibey district would be far less provocative, because I was on the clock.
Even so, it didn’t stop me from overthinking yet another outfit-change as the time drew nearer to pick up the kids at school.
Miles had called earlier. He wanted me to bring them to the office for a surprise—their pick of Halloween costumes by none other than Anouk Belrose, herself.
“Must be nice.” I gave my thrifted prairie dress the evil eye. If I was smart, it might just work. I rifled through my closet for the most obvious finishing touches, and surprised myself with the end result.
Liv always complained the vibrant swirls of russet and indigo flowers made her seasick, but the mini dress always made me feel like a movie star from the ‘70s. Paired with my Chelsea boots and camel wool coat, it gave the distinct air of effortless style I was going for.
I grabbed my purse and made it all the way to my bedroom door before turning back for one last look in the mirror.
I tugged my hair out of its tie and let my waves fall over my shoulders.
Better. The blonde in that photo with Ethan, Miles, and Adrian wore it down.
Longer than mine by a good few inches, but not as much curl to it.
Must’ve been a good summer, judging by those short shorts and her wide, flawless grin.
*
Lumen Events resided in a converted warehouse loft overlooking the harbor.
Red brick exterior, black steel frames, and huge arched windows for maximum light.
The sleek interior elevated the industrial feel with the men’s unique charm.
High ceilings with exposed beams, metal piping, and an expanse of creative hubs that took up the floor space leading to three offices at the far end of the long room.
Instead of a traditional reception desk, they had a statement installation that probably changed seasonally, considering this one was all Halloween, all the way. Suspended above it, hanging from brass chains, was the company name and logo in laser-cut metal, lit softly from behind.
“I hope that’s positive judgment I’m seeing in those pretty green eyes.”
“Ooo, you said Maren’s pretty…” Emma cooed, fluttering her lids.
Sadie giggled and joined the chorus.
There was nothing I could do about the hot flush creeping onto my cheeks. Or the look Miles gave me when he noticed. Goddammit those dimples were primed to ruin lives.
He wore a suit and waistcoat in brown tweed that fit his lean, athletic form in a casually snug way. His pale blue button-down and burgundy tie finished the look and made it damn near impossible not to stare.
“It looks great,” I said, keeping my runaway thoughts in check. Especially now I knew the kids were more astute than I gave them credit for.
“What’s the surprise?” Will asked, moving one of the headphone cones off his ear. No amount of small talk was going to get in his way.
Miles considered him with a shrewd expression. “Tell you what… I’ll trade you.”
Will’s shoulders slumped and after a reluctant pause, he placed his Switch into Miles’ outstretched hand. I didn’t usually support bribery, but his attachment to that thing made it necessary. I gave Miles an approving nod as he led us into the open studio space.
Sadie and Emma both broke into a run and swan-dove into two brightly colored beanbag poofs.
The rest of the area was littered with props, mock displays, and half-finished backdrops.
We stopped at a jade velvet couch set perfectly by one of the floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the harbor.
“For those inclined to sit like normal people,” Miles said with a wry smile, “take a seat. I’ll be back in a minute.”
“With the surprise?”
For a pre-pubescent who spent a lot of energy trying to be the most nonchalant about everything, it was kind of cool seeing Will this engaged.
“Yeah, with the surprise,” Miles laughed, and made his way to a corner office.
Through the clear glass of the center office, I saw Adrian pacing while talking animatedly on the phone.
Even when contained, his playfulness found vent in some way or another.
He caught me looking and the marching stopped.
A slow smile crept onto his face, and he flashed a wink.
The kind of wink that forced me to drop my eyes and fidget with the hem of my dress.
“Hey, welcome to Lumen, you guys.”
I looked up to find Ethan making his way over. And if Miles’ office persona had me reeling, then Ethan’s sent me straight into crisis.
Crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled to the elbows, and top button popped.
He paired it with slim-fit suit pants in a smokey blue, with gray hairline pinstripes that would’ve been invisible if it weren’t for the afternoon sun streaming through the windows, catching them as he approached.
His hair was slicked into submission, sporting a sophisticated side part he hadn’t worn before.
It made him look a little younger than his thirty-one years.
I uncrossed, and crossed my legs, pressing deeper into the plush velvet seat as I squeezed my thighs together. Out of nowhere, and for no good reason, I suddenly felt absolutely certain Ethan could tell just by looking, what I’d gotten up to alone in my room last night.
“You look… really nice.” His shameless gaze dragged over me from head to toe.
I exhaled a laugh, relieved I’d taken the extra time getting ready, but played it off like a pro. “My grandma used to crochet little cozies for everything, like her teapot, toaster, toilet paper… To cover them up when she wasn’t using them.”
“What?” His smile wavered with uncertainty, and I leaned into the point.
“The cozies,” I said. “People used to say they were really nice. Because ‘really nice’ is a term you’d use for something like crocheted cozies.”
Slam dunk.
Ethan nodded, his hands buried in his pockets as he accepted his fate with as much grace as he could manage. “You got me. And may the record please show that my apologies are humble and also profuse.”
“Well, consideration will have to be made in the face of such humility and profusion.” I bit back a laugh as his face brightened. “I’m not a monster, you know.”
Ethan dipped into a low, gracious bow. “Forever my thanks.”
“You guys are so dumb.” Will rolled his eyes beside me, making us both laugh. “Can I at least get my game back while we’re waiting for Uncle Miles?”
“I thought something looked different about you,” Ethan said, much to his nephew’s chagrin.
“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?”
“I said I was first behind that changing thing,” she muttered. “And he— he just… And only Sadie gets to play along ever. Besides, I wanted to be the vampire.”
Ah. It clicked. She was older, but still wanted her uncles to play the way they did with Sadie. She just didn’t know how to say it. Sometimes, all it took was a little extra attention to help smooth things over.
“Well,” I said, softening to her plight, “you totally get to be a vampire. I’ll tell Adrian to be something else.”
Her frown faltered, a hesitant grin tugging at her lips. “Really?”
“Really,” I said, taking her hand.
We returned to the rack, Emma now animated and searching with newfound energy.
“What about you?” Will was in full Stormtrooper gear. “What are you going as?”
“Oh, I haven’t decided.”
I rounded the rack on the far end until I was hidden from the pandemonium unfolding by the couch.
Every costume had an air of hand-crafted extravagance.
Nothing like the ones Liv and I would throw together each year.
I grazed my fingers over the expensive fabrics, and let the touch seep into my memory.
“Exquisite.” My heart skipped when Ethan’s presence registered nearby. It practically stalled when I realized he very likely wasn’t talking about the clothing. Not with the way he looked at me.
“I saw you with Emma,” he said, coming closer. “You’re really good with her.”
Heat coiled in my chest, and I swallowed hard. “She’s a great kid. Just at that awkward age where she’s not a baby, and not quite old enough to hang out with the pre-teens.”
He nodded absently, and it was painfully obvious he wasn’t really listening. I couldn’t blame him. Not with the palpable charge crackling between us in this private little bubble the rack created. Voices, activity, all of it faded. My awareness of him and how close he was sharpened to an ache.
His piercing gaze held me captive, calm and steady. But there was no mistaking the flicker of something untamed just beneath that steadiness. It warmed me all the way through. A warmth that started to rage when I noticed him leaning in. Shit. This was happening. He was about to kiss me. Right here.
He dipped his head, the corner of his mouth tugging into a soft smile.
My tongue came out to wet my lips.
“Boo!”
We jumped apart as if struck by lightning, and turned to see Sadie’s little face beaming up at us from between the clothes on the rack. The moment slipped away in nervous laughter, but my heart still pounded like crazy, fingers tingling from where they’d brushed near his.
“Right,” I said, taking a step back. “I should get them home. I’m sure they have homework.”
“That’s probably smart,” he said, eyes locked on mine.