The Real

“Go,” I snapped, downing the rest of my wine. Taking a deep breath, I walked into my living room where Cameron and Bree chatted about her job.

“I’m scanning candy all night. Though I don’t see the point. Most parents toss their kid’s candy these days and replace it with stuff they buy from the store.” Her eyes connected with mine. “There’s our witchy slut.”

His eyes bulged when he caught sight of me.

“Screw it, I’m not going,” I said, turning on my heel.

“Hey, beautiful, where are you going?” Cameron’s light laughter echoed behind me as he caught up with me. “No, you don’t,” he said, turning me to face him. His eyes roamed over my costume. “You look perfect.”

“You sure?” I asked as Cameron stared at my monstrous nose. “I can go shower now, but the nose won’t come off.”

“Leave it, I’m impressed,” he said, scanning me. “You did this?”

“Right?” Bree spoke up behind me. “She nailed it. She looks awesome, sexy even,” Bree said before she bit her lips. I mouthed an “I hate you” as she covered her mouth with her hand. “Well, I’m outta here. Candy to scan,” she said. “One four three,” she shouted toward me before she shut the door.

“One four three, asshole!” I shouted back and heard her laugh on the other side.

“One four three. That’s I love you,” Cameron said behind me as I grabbed my purse.

“Yeah, it’s our thing.” I sighed. I was humiliated and hated that the night was starting out on that foot. Even behind my mask, Cameron noticed.

“Hey, hey,” Cameron said, forcing my eyes to his. “Why are you upset?”

“Because I look like a witch,” I answered, making zero sense.

“You look like a witch on Halloween going to a Halloween party,” he said, his perfect brows pressing together. “What’s the problem?”

“It’s not sexy,” I whispered, widening my eyes as I pulled my cape tighter around me.

“Okay, so you won’t be one of the thousands of women wearing a thong and fairy wings. Trust me, I’m good with that.”

“Really?”

He leaned in, attempting to kiss me, and had to tilt his head painfully to reach my lips. “Yeah, really, but I already hate this fucking nose.” He gave me as much of a kiss as he could before he pulled away and smiled.

“You look so handsome,” I said. Cameron was dressed in a black turtleneck, blazer, and slacks. “What are you?”

“Ted Bundy,” he answered with a wink.

“You have got to be kidding me!”

“I am. I’m a warlock,” he said with a chuckle as I rolled my eyes.

“Not funny.”

“It’s a little bit funny. And I thought serial killers were your heroes.”

I cringed at that. “They aren’t.”

“Then it’s a good thing I dressed as a warlock. I knew you would play witch tonight,” he said, ushering me down the stairs. “We should catch a cab. It’s too cold to walk.”

“Okay,” I said, taking him in, my little meltdown getting in the way of a more thorough appreciation when he’d arrived.

“Hey,” he said, catching my lingering gaze and giving me a knowing wink.

“Hey,” I said back.

My cape shifted a little, and his eyes did a slow perusal of my dress. “Definitely fucking gorgeous, ‘sexy even.’”