43. Marnie
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Marnie
Seven Weeks Later – Halloween
My hand taps my pen against the paper in front of me as the words slowly become a jumbled mess. I’ve been trying to focus on these reports all morning, but my mind is elsewhere, counting down the minutes until the clock strikes noon.
Caleb convinced me to spend a long weekend in Boston since Linny and Parker are hosting their annual joint Halloween party in the city tonight, and we leave in an hour. It’s been less than two months since I last saw them, but it feels like a lifetime.
I’m elbow deep in planning the next exhibit, and a quick getaway with Caleb is just what I need to take my mind off it.
An entire weekend away, just the two of us. It’s our first trip together, and even though it’s just to Boston, this is a big next step for us.
In fact, this whole week has been a flurry of big steps, with us having dinner with Rick just last night.
Caleb started having regular, weekly Thursday dinners for the last month as they work to rebuild their relationship.
The invitation for me to attend was always there, but I wanted it to just be the two of them at the beginning.
Last night was the first time I’ve seen Rick since our last encounter in July, and although it was a bit awkward at times, it was completely civil and we got through the entire meal without a hitch.
It makes me happy to know that he is making an effort for Caleb.
I save my document and start to gather up my personal belongings while it prints, scanning over everything in my office to make sure I don’t forget anything I may need this weekend.
Aside from the Halloween party tonight and lunch with Gwen tomorrow, I have no idea what else Caleb has planned.
Maybe we will catch a Bruins game or play a rousing game of miniature golf.
Maybe we will track down the city’s best lobster roll and compare it to our ultimate favorite, Logan’s, even though I already know Logan’s wins all day long. It’s really not a fair contest to already know the winner, but it’s still fun.
The hands on the clock above my door stand straight up, signaling noon, and I close my laptop, grab the papers off the printer, and make my way down the hall to deliver my new project proposal to Josie.
We are doing a feature on the island’s five lighthouses set to launch just after the new year and it’s a much smaller undertaking than the Jaws exhibit.
I step through the doorway holding up the stack of papers she’s been waiting on and she beckons me inside.
My feet shuffle up to her desk and I take a glimpse around her office while she finishes typing something.
The photo of her and Irene no longer sits on the shelf with her other prized memories.
I’m sure she was just as hurt by Irene’s actions as I was.
She accepts the papers from me and glances down at her watch. “And where might you be off to?” she asks, the corner of her lip tugging upward.
I gesture to the sign above her desk, and she beams back at me. It’s become our running joke anytime one of us leaves early or takes the day off. “Technically I’m on off-island time. Caleb is taking me into the city for the weekend.”
“I hope you have a great time. Stay safe and say hello to Caleb for me.”
“I will,” I promise, turning on my heel. “See you Monday.”
It’s a breath of fresh air to be here. To work for someone who doesn’t question your every move or make you feel bad for taking time off, but rather supports and encourages you, even for non-work things.
It’s something I’ve never experienced before and I still need time to get used to this dynamic, but it’s getting easier every day.
Heading out of Josie’s office, I lock up my own, bid my farewells to my coworkers, and step out into the crisp autumn afternoon.
I make it to Caleb’s about twenty minutes later.
My bags were already packed in my car this morning so I could make a quick escape from work and head straight to his house.
Rick has Berry for the weekend, and Caleb made an early afternoon boat reservation to allow a buffer for traffic on the drive to Boston.
I grab my bag off the passenger seat and head inside.
“Caleb? I’m home,” I call out.
“Up here,” he responds from the bedroom.
I follow the sound of his voice upstairs to find him trying on his costume one last time before he packs it into his bag.
When Caleb informed me that this was not only a Halloween party, but a couple’s costume contest, I knew we had to make a statement.
After much deliberation, we decided to portray the reverse “final girl” trope—paying homage to how we first met—and chose my favorite slasher film, Scream.
I gave Caleb the option to choose any of Sidney’s outfits, and he went with her most iconic from the third act bloodbath: a jean jacket over a purple T-shirt with black pants and matching boots.
I’m convinced there’s not a single thing he doesn’t look good in.
The stiff material of the jean jacket makes his frame even broader, and I admire the way he pulls off the look so effortlessly.
“You look very handsome in that costume.”
“Thanks,” he blushes. “Do I finally get to see you in yours?”
“Maybe,” I drawl.
Skipping over to him, I plant a quick kiss on his cheek and head into the bathroom to change. “I’ll be right back,” I tease, throwing a smirk over my shoulder. Normally I would have no problem changing in front of him, but he’s been dying to see my costume on me, and I want the element of surprise.
I emerge ten minutes later, donning a short, flowy black strapless dress that reaches my mid-thigh and black combat boots, Ghostface mask in hand.
Gwen sent me some ideas on how to shred the fabric along the hemline of the skirt, and I spent last week meticulously cutting the material until I was satisfied with the results.
As soon as I step out of the bathroom, Caleb’s jaw hits the floor. The way he rakes his eyes over me sends sparks throughout my body. His reaction emboldens me, and I move toward him in challenge. “What’s the matter, Caleb? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
He lets out a laugh at the reference, holding his hands up in surrender while taking a step backwards. “Please don’t kill me Ms. Ghostface, I wanna make it to the Halloween party tonight.”
My feet continue to close the distance between us until his back hits the wall, and I reach up to grab the collar of his jacket and pull him down to me.
Our lips tangle together and he tilts my head to the side to give him better access.
His hands trail down my waist and around my back to pull me flush against him, drawing the kiss out.
I angle my head back to look at him, relishing in the effect I have on him.
“On second thought,” he begins, breathless. “We could catch a later ferry and maybe play out that scene from Scream. You know, just without the bloodbath that follows.”
“What is it with you and trying to get us to stay in and skip our plans?” I ask playfully.
“Can you blame me?” he replies, eyes roaming up and down my body hungrily.
“Not so fast.” I hold up a finger, knowing where this is going. “We promised Linny we would get there early to help set up. Besides, we have the rest of the weekend to play that out,” I say with a knowing look.
I step out of his hold and pull him over to the mirror, getting the first glimpse at both of us in our costumes. “I don’t care what anyone says, we are so winning this contest.”
Caleb hums in approval and then changes out of his costume and into a pair of gray sweatpants and a fitted T-shirt while I strip out of my dress, pulling on soft black leggings and an oversized sweater. I neatly fold both costumes, place them at the top of my duffle bag, and zip it shut.
He walks over to me and picks up both bags, slinging them over his shoulder with ease before wrapping his other arm around me and kissing the top of my head. “Ready?”
I smile up at him and close the door behind us. “Always.”