Chapter 11
LEAH
On Monday, I get a phone call from Tyler inviting Madison and me to his Halloween party.
I’m excited because Halloween is my favorite holiday.
I mean, you get to dress up and be anything or anyone you want for a whole day.
What’s not to like? Madison flipped when I told her about the party.
She couldn’t stop talking about the last one we went to weeks ago, but that will always be Madison, the social butterfly.
That night, when Aaden calls, I tell him about the invitation. “Tyler invited Madison and me to a Halloween party next weekend.”
“Yeah, he has one every year. They’re a lot of fun. I was going to mention it to you tonight, but I guess Tyler beat me to it.”
“Will you be home in time to go?”
“I should be.”
I wiggle excitedly on my couch. Maybe we could do a couple’s costume. “What are you dressing up as?”
“I’m not telling you. It’s a surprise.”
I scrunch my eyebrows together. So much for that idea. “Fine, then I won’t tell you what I’m going to be either.”
He laughs. “Can’t wait to be pleasantly surprised then.”
I smile, sighing into the phone.
I hear him breathe deeply, then exhale loudly. “I have to go, babe. I have an early meeting in the morning.”
“Okay. Goodnight, I—” I catch myself before I say I love you. “I miss you.”
“I miss you too, baby. I’ll see you soon.”
***
After a long workweek, Madison and I make a trip to the mall to look for the perfect costume.
I’m in heaven. We’re like kids in a candy store, running around and playing with everything, giggling like schoolgirls.
We squeal every time something jumps out at us.
I’m also excited about seeing Aaden next weekend.
We planned to meet at the party because his flight won’t come in until an hour before.
“Oooo, look at this one.” Madison beams as she pulls a sexy schoolgirl costume from the rack.
“I can be Brittany Spears.” She can totally pull that off, I think with a nod of approval.
She bounces off toward a mirror as I keep searching through the racks, hoping to find something that will knock Aaden on his ass.
“I think you should wear this one,” Noah says as he drops his chin onto my shoulder.
I jump, turn, and laugh when I see the sexy kitten outfit he’s holding up in front of me. “Riggghhhttt, because that hasn’t been overplayed.” I give him a teasing look.
He glances at the costume and shrugs. “It’s a classic.”
I roll my eyes and return to the rack. “No thanks, I think I’ll pass. Wait a minute, are you stalking me?” I ask as I spin around to face him. This is the second time he’s cornered me in the mall.
“Leah!” Madison shouts as she bursts through the rack, holding a sexy, tight-fitting ring master’s outfit, complete with a top hat and whip.
My eyes light up, and I smile as I take the costume and hold it up in front of me.
Madison beams at Noah, not surprised at all to see him here.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I asked Noah to join us.
” Her face lights up as she stares at him.
He grins back at her, and I bite my lip with a smile as I watch the two of them.
“I don’t mind at all.” Oh, there is definitely a spark between these two, I think as I walk over to the full-length mirror.
I hold the costume up and look at it. The top is a white corset with a thick red belt that has gold buttons and a chain attached between them, the bottoms are shiny black booty shorts, and the sleeveless red jacket has long tails and yellow fringes on the shoulders. It’s absolutely perfect!
“You need to wear your black knee-high boots.” Madison grins over my shoulder.
Noticing her costume, Noah sighs. “I’m gonna be playing bodyguard for you two all night, aren’t I?” We giggle as we watch him shake his head. I’m glad we’ve gotten past the awkward flirting. I really like Noah. He makes an awesome friend, and he obviously likes Madison.
I decide to leave them alone for a few minutes and wander around the store.
I find a gold cuff bracelet and dangling earrings to go with my costume.
After paying, I return to the aisle I where I had left the two of them in just in time to see Noah lean in and kiss Madison’s cheek.
She blushes bright red as he smiles then walks out of the store.
I make my way over to her with raised eyebrows and a look that says, ‘You’ve been holding out on me, girlfriend. ’
“Maaaddd,” I drawl. “What is going on with you two?”
Her face practically glows, and she bounces on her toes. “I really like him.”
I chuckle as I see her excitement. “I think he likes you, too.”
“Oh God, I really hope so. He’s my dream man.”
I laugh as she fans herself.
“He asked me to meet him at the party,” she whispers.
My eyes go wide. “Madison Pratt, this sounds like a date.”
“Ugh, this is going to be a long week,” she moans.
***
It was a super long week. I spoke to Aaden every night, hoping he would tell me he’d be home early, but the clients are playing hardball, making him stay the full week.
Finally, it’s Saturday evening, and Aaden assured me a few hours ago that he was at the airport about to board his flight.
Madison and I spent the better part of two hours getting ready for the party.
Hair, makeup, the works. Now, we’re dressed in our sexy costumes and walking into Tyler’s house with confidence.
The lights are dim, a light cloud of fog hovers over the floor, and there are Halloween decorations everywhere—spider webs, witches, skeletons.
Anything and everything Halloween. Everyone is in costume, and there’s a live band dressed like zombies playing “Thriller” loudly from the back of the room.
Having money sure makes for awesome parties.
“Wow, this is amazing.” Madison grins.
“I didn’t know people actually had parties like this!” I gush in astonishment.
“Ah hell! I knew I was going to have to keep an eye on you two.” Noah grins as he hands us both a drink. “You two look great.”
I smile as I take in his costume. He’s dressed as a fireman with dirty yellow fireman’s pants and red suspenders.
His yellow fireman’s coat is unbuttoned, showing off his sexy six-pack and bulging pectoral muscles.
He’s smeared some black makeup across his forehead and chin to make it look like soot.
Madison is practically drooling as she scans his body.
She grabs the cup and takes a huge gulp.
“Thank you.”
A heavy arm drapes around my neck as a large body bumps into mine. “Happy Halloween,” Tyler says loud enough to be heard over the music.
“Hey.” I laugh as I take in his costume. He’s wearing a pair of flower-printed swim trunks and nothing else. A colorful lei is draped around his neck, dark shades cover his eyes, and he’s sporting an over-the-top fake orange tan.
“Welcome to my haunted home,” he says in his best Dracula voice.
I look around at the decorations. “You’ve outdone yourself.”
Noah gives him a high five. “Another success, bro.”
Tyler grins and lowers his shades to the tip of his nose as he looks between Madison and me. “Damn, you girls are smokin’.” Madison and I giggle as he waggles his brows at us.
Noah leans into Madison, getting close to her ear. I can practically see her shiver. “Care to join me?” he asks, pointing to the dance floor. She nods, and I watch them walk off together. Tyler looks at me, his arm returning to drape around my neck.
“Long time, no see.”
Crap, I think as I lower my head in shame. “I know. I’m sorry. Everything has been crazy the past two months.”
“Everything all better now?” he asks.
I nod.
“Good, you can make it up to me with a dance.”
I grin as I glance up at him again. “Gladly.” He takes my hand, and I follow him to the dance floor.
We join Noah and Madison as one song turns into another and then another.
I’m having such a good time. No pressure, no attempted kisses or wandering hands.
Just a group of friends having fun at a party, exactly how I hoped this evening would go.
After my third cup of beer, my bladder is screaming.
I drag Madison along to the bathroom, leaving a frowning Noah behind.
“We’ve been here for an hour and a half. When is Aaden getting here?” she asks.
I shrug. “I don’t know. Soon I hope.”
“I hope so too so I can have some alone time with Noah.”
I grin at her in the mirror. “Alone time, huh?” Her eyes meet mine in our reflection, and she smiles with a shrug of her shoulders. I’m totally getting the scoop from her later.
As soon as we make it back downstairs, Chase greets us with two neon green cups.
“Ladies.” He beams. “Now, the party has started.” He’s dressed as a police officer, and I have to admit, he looks really sexy.
Madison takes her drink then walks off to find Noah.
I lift the cup to my lips and take a drink as his eyes roam over me approvingly.
“I’ve missed you,” he says with a lick of his lips.
I smile, feeling a little nervous. Chase is always the most touchy-feely of the group.
“Can we dance?” he asks, pointing to the packed floor.
“Sure.”
He takes my hand and leads me to the center of the room. Our last encounter was a bit awkward, so I remain quiet and sip my beer. Before the song is over, I’m slurring my words and hanging all over him.
“I’m hot,” I yell as I stumble into his chest, giggling like an idiot. He wraps his arms around my waist and holds me tightly against him, his face lowering to my neck.
“Yes, you are,” he whispers. I shiver when I feel his tongue slide up the side of my neck to the back of my ear.
I giggle when he nips my earlobe. Pushing him away, I blink as I smile up at him.
My eyes struggling to focus. Jesus. “Come on,” he says, guiding me to the stairs. “I want to show you something.”