Chapter 17
seventeen
. . .
Natalie
I adjust the pointed black hat on my head for the third time, checking my reflection in the rearview mirror. The classic witch costume felt like a safe choice when I ordered it two weeks ago. Now, sitting in the Wonderland Studios backlot parking lot, I’m second-guessing everything.
The hat is crooked, my dress is too tight across my chest thanks to pregnancy boobs, and I’m about to walk into a party full of Hollywood’s finest while stone-cold sober and pregnant. This should be fun.
Maybe it will be. I haven’t been to a real party in months, and getting dressed up for Halloween and going out to a party sounds like exactly the kind of distraction I need.
My phone buzzes.
Stella
Where are you??? We’re already inside and it’s AMAZING.
Natalie
Parking. Be there in a sec.
I grab my purse and climb out of the car, smoothing down the black dress. At least it’s flowy enough that my tiny bump isn’t obvious.
The night is warm, typical for LA, and I can hear music thumping from somewhere deep in the backlot.
The entrance is marked by an archway of orange and purple lights, fake cobwebs stretched between vintage lampposts.
A security guard checks my name off a list and waves me through, and suddenly I’m in the middle of a Halloween wonderland.
String lights crisscross overhead. Fog machines pump out a low mist that swirls around everyone’s feet.
There are food trucks lined up along one side, a DJ booth set up near what looks like an old Western saloon facade, and everywhere I look, people in elaborate costumes are laughing, drinking, dancing.
I spot Stella almost immediately. She’s dressed as a flapper, all fringe and feathers, hanging on her boyfriend Brandon’s arm. He’s in a pinstriped suit with a fedora looking like the perfect gangster to her Gatsby girl.
Stella squeals when she sees me, rushing over to hug me. “You look amazing! Very Practical Magic.”
“Oh, this old thing?” I say, striking a pose with my hat. “You look fantastic.”
She laughs and does a little spin, fringe flying everywhere. “It does look kinda cool, doesn’t it?!”
Brandon steps up, pulling me into a quick hug. “Looking good, Nat. Love the witch vibe.”
“Thanks. You two look like you’ve come straight out of a speakeasy.”
“That’s the idea,” he says, adjusting his fedora with a grin.
“Come on,” Stella says, linking her arm through mine. “Everyone’s over by the bar.”
She drags me through the crowd, and I spot the rest of the group clustered near a tiki-themed bar that’s been decorated with plastic skeletons and jack-o-lanterns.
Blair is dressed as a perfect 1950s housewife, complete with a string of pearls, victory rolls in her hair, and a retro apron tied around her waist. Wyatt matches her in a cardigan and slacks, his hair combed to the side, looking like he stepped straight out of Leave It to Beaver.
Jess and her husband Lucas committed fully to their couples costume, dressed as Barbie and Ken in matching hot pink and neon. Jess even has the blonde wig, and Lucas is rocking a spray tan that’s bordering on ridiculous.
Sophia looks absolutely stunning as some kind of warrior princess, all leather and armor with intricate braiding in her hair. Grant stands beside her in a matching medieval king costume, complete with a crown and cape.
And then there’s Jake.
He’s wearing all black. Black dress pants that fit him perfectly, a black shirt with the collar popped and sleeves rolled up to his forearms, and a dramatic black cape. His eyes are focused on me, and when he smiles, I catch the glint of fake fangs.
Dracula. He’s a sexy Dracula.
Our eyes meet across the group, and the air shifts. He pushes off the bar and crosses to me in a few easy strides, his gaze never leaving mine.
“You look incredible,” he says, voice low enough that it feels like the words are just for me.
My brain short-circuits for a second. He looks…I don’t even have words. Devastating. Unfairly hot. Like every vampire fantasy I’ve ever had come to life.
“You too,” I manage, then clear my throat. “Dracula?”
His mouth curves into a slow smile, and he just nods.
I wonder if he chose his costume knowing I’d go traditional Halloween. Or is he drawn to the dark and supernatural the way I am? There’s something about not quite knowing his reasoning that makes him even more intriguing. I get tingles all over my body, but I try to play it cool.
“How very coordinated of us.”
Blair appears at my elbow, pressing a drink into my hand. “Virgin mojito. Extra lime, just how you like it.”
I could kiss her. “Thank you.”
We fall into easy conversation, the group swapping costume compliments and party observations. I catch Stella whispering something to Blair, both of them glancing between me and Jake with matching grins.
Brandon suggests checking out the poker tables and the guys peel off, while Blair, Stella, Jess, and Sophia immediately close in around me like a coven.
“Okay,” Stella says. “So. You and Jake.”
“We’re co-parenting.”
The girls go silent. Is it getting chilly out here?
“What?” I ask.
“Oh, Nothing,” Stella says. “Just that Jake literally hasn’t taken his eyes off you since you walked up.”
Heat creeps up my neck. “Stop.”
“It’s true,” Jess chimes in. “He was watching the entrance like a hawk until you showed up.”
I take a long sip of my mocktail. “We may have accidentally slept together. Again.”
All four of them light up like I just announced I won the lottery.
“I fucking knew it,” Jess says.
Stella grabs my arm. “Nat, this is amazing.”
“Is it though?”
“Yes,” all four of them say in unison.
“He’s clearly into you,” Sophia says. “Like, really into you.”
“And you’re into him?” Blair asks.
I don’t deny it because what’s the point? They all saw my face when I walked up and spotted him in his costume.
For just a second, I let myself imagine it. Jake and me and our baby. Holidays where we’re all together, not split between houses. Birthday parties where we’re both there, not taking turns. Lazy Sunday mornings tangled in bed while the baby naps.
It’s terrifying how badly I want that. How easy it is to picture. How right it feels.
“Earth to Natalie,” Stella says, waving a hand in front of my face.
I blink. “Sorry. What?”
“I said, are you going to do anything about it?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. We’ll see.”
It’s the most honest answer I’ve given in weeks, and judging by their faces, they know it. Before anyone can press further, the DJ switches to a throwback Halloween song, and the energy on the makeshift dance floor kicks up.
“Come on,” Stella says, grabbing my hand. “Let’s dance.”
I let myself be pulled into the crowd, and for the next hour, I forget about everything except moving to the music. Stella spins me around, Jess teaches me some ridiculous TikTok dance, and Sophia joins in with surprising enthusiasm for someone dressed like royalty.
I’m laughing. Actually laughing. The kind of deep, unguarded joy I haven’t felt in months.
When I finally step off the dance floor, breathless and grinning, Jake is waiting with a fresh mocktail.
“You looked like you were having fun,” he says, handing me the drink.
“I was.” I take a long sip, grateful for the cold sweetness. “I forgot how much I love dancing.”
“You’re good at it.”
“You didn’t dance?”
“I was enjoying the view.”
Heat flashes through me at the way he’s looking at me, and I have to glance away. “That’s very smooth, counselor.”
“I have my moments.”
The DJ shifts to a slower song, something vintage and crooning, and couples start pairing off on the dance floor.
Jake extends his hand. “Dance with me?”
I don’t hesitate. I set down my drink and take his hand.
He leads me onto the floor, one hand settling on my waist, the other holding mine. We sway together, and I’m acutely aware of how close we are. How good he smells. How his thumb is tracing small circles on my lower back.
“This is nice,” he says quietly.
“Yeah. It is.”
“I like seeing you like this. Happy. Carefree.”
“I can be fun, you know.”
“I’m learning that.” His eyes catch mine, and there’s something playful there. “You’re full of surprises, Natalie Cruz.”
“Good surprises?”
“The best kind.”
We spin slowly, the fog swirling around our feet, lights twinkling overhead. For a moment, it feels like we’re the only two people here. Like this is exactly where we’re supposed to be.
“Thank you,” I say.
“For what?”
“For this. For the costume. For making tonight fun.”
His hand tightens slightly on my waist. “Anytime.”
The song continues, and we keep swaying. I let my head rest against his chest for just a second. I can hear his heartbeat, steady and strong, and something in me settles.
This feels right. I tilt my head up to look at him, and he’s already watching me, his expression soft.
I don’t pull away. Don’t make a joke or put up a wall.
I just stay here, in his arms, swaying to the music, letting myself feel this.
He smiles, and it’s the kind of smile that makes me think maybe, just maybe, I could let myself fall.
“I’m really glad you came tonight,” he says.
“Me too.”