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Gabi rolls her eyes, her fingers drumming lightly on the box in her hands, but that smile is still there.
“I’ll meet you there in an hour?” I ask as she pops the trunk of her car and slides her box inside.
“Sounds good.”
Then she surprises me. Gabi steps forward and wraps her arms around my middle, embracing me. It’s brief, but I tug her in close, enjoying the closeness of this moment.
When we let go, there’s something in her expression that feels familiar, but just as quickly as I think I saw it, it disappears. Gabi slides into her car and gives me a small wave as she takes off, and I’m left there wondering if what I saw was really there.
chapter fourteen
Gabi
Cedar Point’s Halloween Spooktacular is one of a handful of staple events the town puts on every year, without fail. Main Street gets closed off to through traffic and all the businesses stay open late so kids can go from store to store for candy. There are booths set up by locals and businesses that are slightly off Main Street with a kind of farmers market vibe, and every year, there’s a costume contest.
I’ve always wanted to enter, because I love Halloween and—in my opinion—dressing up in costume is one of the most fun things you can do, ever. But when I was in high school, the idea of getting up in front of a group of people and asking them to literally judge me sounded like a nightmare. As if they weren’t judging me enough already.
This year, though, I’ve been putting together the most gorgeous, perfect costume, and I have every intention of entering that contest.
I look at myself in the mirror, assessing the final result, and I feel immense pleasure at what I see.
Wednesday Addams.
Black tights under a long-sleeved black dress with a white collar and cuffs. A layer of pale foundation and a smoky eye. I even bought some clip-on bangs, and with my already long dark hair in two braids, it adds just the right final touch.
“You outdid yourself this year.”
I turn, finding Leah standing in the doorway, watching me with a smile.
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” I volley back, eyeing her long black wig and the tight black dress that shows off just the right amount of cleavage.
She’s going as Morticia, though surprisingly, we didn’t plan to do this together. We decided on the outfits separately and then found out we were going to match. Clearly we both have cold, black hearts.
“Did you get all your stuff loaded in the car?”
I nod. “I’m not bringing a lot, so I won’t take up too much space,” I tell her as we head through the house and toward the garage.
“Hey, I’m thrilled to have you share my booth. Take up as much space as you need.”
Grinning, we each tug on our coats and head outside. I was worried Spooktacular would be canceled because the temps are colder this year than last, but it looks like the weather is going to even out to a fairly normal evening for the end of October. Besides, I’m pretty sure kids would be willing to fight through a blizzard to get candy. If Halloween got canceled, the elementary school would riot.
My phone buzzes in my purse, and when I look at it, I can’t help the grin that pops onto my face.
Bishop: On my way. See you in ten.
“What’s that look for?”
“What look?”
Leah rolls her eyes at my feigned ignorance then starts the car.
Accepting Bishop’s offer feels like a big step for me. Maybe that’s stupid, and maybe most people don’t struggle like I do to accept help from others, but having him come help set up our booth feels like I’ve finally accepted that I can rely on him again. Even if it’s just in a small way.
“Bishop’s gonna help us set up,” I say to Leah as we’re driving into town.
She eyes me briefly before looking back to the road. “You’ve been spending a bit of time together recently. Are you still…just friends?”
“Yup! Just friends.”
