Chapter 19 #2
As we wander onto the rooftop patio, I gaze around wide-eyed. The place is packed with people wearing every possible costume under the sun. From zombies to Santas, from butterflies to outfits that could honestly use a touch of censorship. Good thing this party is adults-only.
The host clearly went all in on decorations.
There’s a canopy of garlands and party lights and scattered around the rooftop are huge jack-o’-lanterns with candles inside.
The walls are speckled with big fake spiders surrounded by cobwebs.
But it’s the view that really takes my breath away: the sun has set and the sky is black, but the city . . .
The city is alive. Each building taller than the next.
Their dark outlines are clearly visible because nearly every window is lit up.
Down below, the streets are buzzing with traffic as cars and police vehicles race by—a continuous parade of moving lights.
It’s magical. Each little light belongs to a person.
Someone with their own life, their own reasons to get out of bed in the morning to face a new day.
Or maybe it’s someone who never even sleeps at all.
Here you go. Punch. Pulling me out of my reverie, Rudy hands me a glass of dark red liquid. Or ‘sacrificial virgin blood,’ as that guy called it. He nods at the man in the Dracula costume who’s selling drinks.
Ew. I take a sip, and I’m relieved to find it’s a whole lot tastier than Dracula’s name suggested it would be.
Lauren’s already out on the dance floor, dancing with someone dressed up like a surgeon.
She’s showing genuine interest in the guy, which reminds me I still haven’t asked her what the deal is with her and Joey.
The way she looks at him . . . She’s either really into him or something happened between the two of them that Rudy doesn’t know about.
The whole time we’re standing around chatting, I need to hold myself back from asking about Kate again, but finally Rudy and I head over to the dance floor.
By the time Justin Timberlake’s Rock Your Body comes blasting through the speakers, we’ve both finished our fourth glass of punch.
And I’ve come to the conclusion that the ‘virgin blood’ wasn’t a virgin drink.
Turning toward me, Rudy lets his hands glide down my hips.
When I don’t object, he gently draws me closer as he begins to move along to the beat.
And Rudy has moves. Real moves. No awkward back-and-forth foot tap combined with a head wobble.
He has flow. Sensuality. Every move he makes feels like a caress and the only thing I can do is just stare up at him.
I am trapped in his gaze. His pupils widen as he pulls me closer and closer to him.
The fabric of his costume brushes my dress and I can’t help but wonder how this looks to the people around us: Jack Sparrow swirling Mr. Potato Head around the dance floor.
One song spills into the next and Rudy is done holding back. With his hands roaming over my body, he draws me in so close that I can feel the heat of his skin radiating into mine.
Once our feet are so wrecked that we’re forced to surrender, we flop down into the chairs set up by the wall.
Completely exhausted, but satisfied, we sit and watch Lauren dance with her surgeon.
He’s no longer wearing his surgical mask and I notice Rudy study him with a furrowed brow.
By my guess, the man’s about thirty and he’s blessed with a thick head of hair.
Oh crap, Rudy mutters as something begins to dawn on him. That’s Kidney Karl.
I let out a laugh. Poor guy. His parents must not have liked him very much.
Rudy gives me a stunned look. That’s not his real name. It’s just a nickname. He’s the organ trafficker!
My lips form a silent O as I watch Lauren smile and glow at Kidney Karl’s every word.
What are you gonna do? I ask Rudy.
I obviously have to tell her. And make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid.
Like getting drunk and going back to his place? I suggest, peeking over at Kate. She’s been sneaking glances at Rudy all night.
Something like that, yeah, he replies with a shake of his head. The outcome could be so much worse than a few moments of awkwardness.
We keep a close eye on Lauren for the rest of the night. When her surgeon finally disappears for a minute—likely to prep his operating room—she spins around and heads our way. There’s a scarlet blush on her cheeks and her eyes are sparkling.
He’s so great. She sounds ecstatic. He needed to run to the restroom, but oh my God . . . I can’t remember the last time I met someone so amazing.
Uh . . . Lauren? Rudy speaks carefully.
Lauren isn’t listening as she straightens the stem on her pumpkin hat a little. He’s so funny. I think you’d like him, Rudy, and you know that’s something I wouldn’t say lightly.
Will you listen for a second?
He’s from the Hamptons, too. I asked him whether he knew Mom and Dad, but he hadn’t heard of them.
Lauren . . . Rudy tries again, but Lauren keeps on babbling.
I swear to God, Rudy. This guy might just be the one to steal my heart.
Punch snorts out through my nose as the blood drains from Rudy’s face.
Lauren. Listen to me. Now.