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Her laughter echoed through the empty park. She’d laughed more in the past two days, maybe even the past few weeks, than she had in a long time. She never imagined she could go from tears to laughter so fast, share such a range of emotions with someone.
Chet leaned in for a kiss. Whether they lasted a moment or longer, Meg couldn’t imagine ever getting tired of Chet’s kisses.
She put a hand on his cheek. “Part of me wants to keep this a secret forever and part of me wants to stop looking over my shoulder every time we kiss.”
“Say the word and I buy a billboard, Malone.”
His husky voice made her want another kiss, secret or not.
“I’m all in in this thing.” He pointed a finger between the two of them. “And I’m good with anyone who wants to know.” He pulled back and leaned his elbows against the picnic table to support himself.
She didn’t mind people knowing they were dating. But it had been a long time since she’d let someone this close to her. What if it didn’t last? Things would be weird between them, and people would talk.
“Stop overthinking,” Chet said.
“I’m not overthinking.”
“I canhearyou overthinking.”
“I was thinking about your costume. You clearly are avoiding the topic.”
He chuckled. “Well, the mayor chose my costume.”
“What?” Meg turned her body sideways to look at him. “What are you talking about?”
“He says the kids love seeing firefighters in uniform.” He shrugged. “So we show up in uniform.”
“You have to wear full gear all night? That sounds like a lot.”
“No. Just our regular blue uniforms.”
She pictured Chet in his uniform. She’d seen him in it a few times when he’d stop by the diner with a group of guys from work getting meals to go. There was truth to there being something about a man in uniform. Especially someone built like Chet.
“Now it looks like you’re thinking of me in a sexy costume.” He winked at her. “You’re creating a fireman calendar in your mind as we speak.”
Meg laughed out loud. “Okay. I used to think you were confident. Now I officially think you are arrogant.”
“That’s not arrogant.” He smiled at her. “What month do I get to be?”
“March.” She pointed down the path. “Meaning it’s time for both of us to march. I have to get to the diner, and you need to go get Dottie.”
He leaned in for a last kiss. “Yes ma’am. Dottie is going to be parked by the fire truck tonight, too. The kids love thinking their town has an oversized dalmatian at their fire station.”
They said good-bye, a quick linking of their hands before they parted.
As Meg walked to her apartment, the sunshine began to peek over the tops of the buildings, warming her and she felt…happy.
*
The park wasbustling with excitement. Chet stood with Dottie at the edge of the festivities near the fire truck, looking for Meg. White café lights had been strung over the area, sparkling in the night. Hay bales were set around for people to sit on, as well as piled high and decorated with pumpkins and scarecrows, spiders and cobwebs.
He pretended to be taking it all in, but he truly only wanted to find Meg, drag her to a dark corner, and kiss her until shecouldn’t remember her own name. He’d meant what he said about the billboard, but finding secret spots for them to be alone had its own appeal.
Each business was responsible for decorating its own booth. Baylee’s Bakery looked like a giant Candy Land, complete with cake pop bouquets and a rainbow of cupcakes along the back. Cookies shaped like spiders and pumpkins were attached along the sides, top, and front of the booth.
Baylee wore a 1950s pink dress with a thick, black belt. Her hair swooped in perfect curls. Drew, who was in a baseball uniform from the same era, stood off to the side of the booth, happily obliging the kids and their parents who asked for autographs.
Tyler, costumed in a toga and crown made of golden leaves, walked up to Chet and looked him up and down. “I give you a four for creativity.”
