Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
“I’m going this way.”
Court furrowed his brow. “Oh. Right. I, uh…I can walk you the rest of the way if you want.”
“It is kind of dark and creepy out tonight, so…sure, thanks. And thanks again for tonight. That was seriously so cool of you.”
He shrugged. “No problem. It was…”
“Fun!” I interjected. “Admit it. You had fun.”
His lips quirked at the corners as he glanced away, tilting his head to the heavens. Geez-fucking-Louise, he was stunning. Sharp chin, sculpted cheekbones, manly beard, and a broody, moody aura. I might have left my old crush in the past where it belonged, but I had eyes, dammit.
“It wasn’t terrible. I remember coming as a kid and…I remember you,” he said softly. “You were quiet, though. And you wore eyeliner and dyed your hair funky colors. It was pretty edgy for Elmwood.”
My grin nearly split my face in half. “Yep. I was a shy, awkward trendsetter in the making.”
Court chuckled. “You’re not so shy anymore.”
“No, I’m not. Are you?”
“Shy? No, but I’m feeling pretty awkward. I haven’t spent this much time at home since graduation. It’s weird to get updates on old friends from their parents.”
“Don’t mind Kathy. She’s indelicate when tipsy and trust me, she cannot pass up an opportunity to brag about her successful son and her beautiful grandchild. It’s a lot.”
“No, it’s cool. I’m happy for Kyle, but I don’t know him anymore. I haven’t seen most of my high school buddies in years. That’s on me.”
We strolled the quiet streets, making small talk about generic topics like the weather, booming businesses on Main Street, and Shirley Bingham’s epic cackle. By the time we reached my house, we were snickering like old friends.
It was the first time all week I’d felt completely relaxed and I wasn’t ready to say good-bye, so on a whim, invited him inside.
When he hesitated, I patted my backpack smugly. “I still have alcohol and…it’s free.”
Court grinned. “Sold.”
Good. I was hoping he’d agree, though I wasn’t sure why. I think it was a matter of not wanting to let a nice evening fade too soon. I had all this happy, peppy energy buzzing through my system, and no, we weren’t really friends, and I was probably the last person he’d thought he’d end up having a drink with, but…I didn’t want to be alone tonight.
I was always alone.
I flipped the lights on in the foyer and hung up my coat, inviting Court to do the same while I unearthed my flask from the backpack. I felt his amused stare as we passed through my tiny living room and into the adjoining kitchen. I wished he’d say something—comment on my monochrome decor or the collection of Doc Martens lined up under the bench in my foyer.
“Did you want to stick with gin? I also have beer or wine. I’m a Zinfandel man at the moment, but I have red wine and—”
“That’s a black tree, dude.” He gaped at my goth tree, his hands on his hips, eyes wide in disbelief.
I chuckled. “Fabulous, isn’t it? I keep it up year-round. You should have seen it at Halloween. Ghoul chic! I don’t do much with it for Thanksgiving, but I’m about to get all up in Christmas’s grill. When I have time. Any-who…martini, wine?”
Court held up a hand. “Wait. I’m still processing this. You decorate a Christmas tree for Halloween. How? Do you have ornaments, or do you put skulls and plastic rats on it?”
“Yes. I have cute ghosts, caldrons, brooms, bats, and spiders too. Oh, and I have a fab witch hat for the topper. I didn’t add my orange lights this year, though. It’s a hassle and the white lights mesh better with my Christmas, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day…you get the picture.”
“So…you keep this up year-round and decorate for every holiday?”
“Yep!” I moved toward the kitchen, motioning for him to follow. “Did you eat? I think I have food.”
My kitchen had a very different vibe from the living area, where I’d decorated in basic shades of black and white. I’d splurged on red SMEG appliances—red oven, red hood, red fridge, red toaster. Everything else was white, from the counters, tiled floor, and walls to the small round table and chairs tucked into the corner. I freaking loved it. And even if no one else did, they usually had a comment or two to make.
If Court had been disturbed by my black holiday tree, my red appliances might throw him off guard too.
“Whoa.” He blinked, turning in a slow circle as he entered the room. “This is…really cool.”
I beamed as I opened the fridge door. “Thank you. I have lunch meats, cheese, and oooh! I have bagels. We could make bagel sandwiches.”
“Sounds great. How can I help?”
I passed him the flask and pointed at the open shelf of glassware to the left of the sink. “You do drinks, I’ll do food.”