Page 30 of Come A Little Closer

“My thoughts were that if you use the second floor for the ‘entertainment,’ so to speak, then only those who want to visit the haunted house can go up. The first floor will be where the actual party is happening. We’ll have a dance floor and music, tables, chairs, and food, obviously. I’ve also reached out to a company who does themed bars in people’s homes for parties. They were all booked up, but when they heard who it was for, they promised to be here to check out the space tomorrow.”

“You’re a miracle worker,” he said, his voice slightly hushed as if he really was in awe. “I can’t believe you’ve done all that in just one day.”

I shrugged, batting my lashes at him. “What can I say? I like dreaming up wild plans and seeing them come together. There’s nothing like it.”

“If you can dream it, you can do it, huh?” He glanced at me as we descended the stairs side by side. “I owe you an apology.”

“What for?” I asked.

He ran a hand through his hair and shrugged. “I might’ve doubted you for a moment back there. When I walked in and nothing was done…”

“You thought I’d spent the day goofing off?”

He grimaced. “I might have, but I’m sorry. I’m astonished that you got the second floor done, made plans for the first floor, and that you’ve already spoken to the vendors you’ll need. About catering, I⁠—”

“Jake gave me the number for the caterer you like,” I said, smiling sweetly. “They were also all booked up, but again, when I mentioned your name, doors just opened. It’s amazing what one little name can achieve in this town.”

He chuckled, shaking his head as we made it to the landing. “It’s not my name. It’s my involvement in the community events that gets them onboard. People are willing to go above and beyond for those who do the same. You’ll see. Soon, your own name will have that effect on people.”

I snorted, then blushed to the roots of my hair and groaned. “Sorry, that was incredibly unladylike. I, uh, I just really doubt it’s going to work out that way.”

“It will,” he said confidently as we turned and walked down the last few stairs into the main room. “Thanks for today, Tallulah. It means the world to me that you jumped in to help on practically zero notice.”

I smiled. “You’re welcome. I was meaning to ask you why the party has to happen in your house, though. My understanding is that it’s supposed to be a street thing. Don’t those usually happen, you know, in the street? If so, I don’t mind helping them decorate outside when I’m done in here.”

“The majority of the party has always taken place out there,” he explained patiently, neither of us seeming to be in any kind of rush. “This year, I volunteered my house for the event after the fair. They were looking for a venue and I figured I had one, so I said yes.”

My heart warmed to him just a little bit more. I was starting to realize that it wasn’t all talk. He really did do a lot for a lot of people, and he just kind of did it. Without making a big deal about it or tooting his own horn. It made me want to help more. To come up with bigger, better ideas to make his events truly memorable.

“You should do a costume theme,” I suggested. The thought had been bouncing around in my mind all day, and this felt like the perfect time to share it. “Maybe a masquerade or something.”

Niall smirked as he arched his eyebrows at me. “You want me to dress up?”

“I do,” I said, almost drooling at the thought of him in an all-black, three-piece suit and an intricate mask covering those strong features. “What do you say? It’ll be fun and your neighbors will love it.”

“Will you come?” he asked, those intelligent blue eyes completely serious on mine. “It’s usually just a fancy party with no costumes, but if you say you’ll come, I’ll consider dressing up for it.”

My eyes widened. “Are you kidding?”

“No.”

I stared at him, blinking stupidly. I hadn’t been expecting an actual invitation to this party. From what I’d heard, it sounded like an exclusive event attended only by Niall’s upper-crust neighbors in this historic district.

In my wildest dreams I’d never imagined attending a party like that. Hell, I was still getting used to the idea of being trusted enough to even know about that kind of event, let alone organizing it. The possibility of actually getting to go was just mind blowing.

“Sure,” I finally managed, doing my best not to sound as giddily thrilled as I was. “I’d love to come. Besides, who knows? You might need help calling all those ambulances you’re going to need when your neighbors see what we’ve got in store for them.”

He chuckled, nodding slowly as he looked back at me. For a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me again. It sure looked like he wanted to. His gaze even dropped to my mouth for a beat, and I had to fight the urge to lean into him and finish what we started on movie night, but this time, he was the one who put a stop to it.

Clearing his throat, he took a big step back. “Thanks again for all your help today. I really appreciate it.”

I nodded, smiling until I turned away from him and strode to the door. As I reached it, he called out to me and my heart skipped. Yes! This is it. He’s going to kis⁠—

“Tallulah?”

I twisted to face him, my heart rate kicking into a gallop as fast as a racehorse on that final stretch toward the finish line. “Yes?”

“Do you need a ride?”