Page 30 of Be Our Ghost (The Duchess Hotel #2)
Twenty-One
Knox had to hand it to the Damsels. When they’d told him they were giving the Gilded Lily a Halloween makeover, he’d been skeptical. Based on the pitiful decorations they’d dredged up last year—plastic bats, fake spiderwebs, a few mini pumpkins—he didn’t expect much. But they’d come through.
The high-tops and side tables had been adorned with antique brass lanterns and freshly carved jack-o’-lanterns, lit up with flickering LED candles.
Along one wall, they’d hung a purple velvet curtain, backlit to reveal shadowy silhouettes.
Another wall displayed vintage mirrors fogged over with ghostly outlines.
The cobwebs draped over all the light fixtures looked like they’d been hanging there for decades.
A hidden fog machine billowed near the photo booth; beside it was a big cauldron filled with masks and props.
Celia sat behind a wooden hostess stand at the entrance. Wearing an all-black schoolgirl dress, her hair in two braids, she looked like Wednesday Addams. “Good evening,” she said in a low, drawn-out voice.
“Good to see you,” Knox said. “Did Laurel ask you to help us out?”
“She was fully prepared to beg, but I said yes right away. I love Halloween parties. I’m checking IDs, handing out ballots for the costume contest, and making sure we don’t exceed the room’s maximum capacity.
” She raked her gaze over him. “Spiffy pirate costume. I saw Tinker Bell earlier, so I’m guessing you’re Captain Hook? ”
“Yep, except without the hook.” He pulled his shiny metal hook from the pocket of his long red coat. “Too hard to mix drinks that way.”
“We’ve got about twenty minutes before the Lily opens to the public at seven. Everything all set?”
“It’s all good.” He and Miles had come in early to prep, but he’d waited until the last minute to change. Even if his costume looked sharp, he was roasting in it. Having to wear a giant pirate hat didn’t help. “I’d better hustle over to the bar and prepare myself for the onslaught.”
Celia grinned at him. “Have fun!”
If that’s what you want to call it. No doubt about it, tonight was going to be exhausting. At least he’d have Miles working alongside him, and Jordan was also coming in to help. To ease their load, Selena had recruited two of her staff to serve as cocktail waitresses.
Knox was grateful his duties were limited to one thing: mixing drinks.
He didn’t have to emcee the costume contest because Rosie’s boyfriend, Drew, had offered to do it.
Given that Drew usually volunteered to play Santa during the Christmas season, he was obviously the kind of cheerful soul who adored getting people pumped up for the holidays.
No, thanks. This wasn’t Knox’s scene. Too many people. Too much excitement. Getting through the next five hours would be rough.
His mood improved when Charlie flitted over to the bar.
The sight of her dressed as Tinker Bell made his groin tighten.
Wasn’t her costume supposedly from a children’s play?
Or had she swapped it out for a “sexy fairy” outfit?
Her pale green dress not only revealed a lot of cleavage, but it was so short that if she bent over, she’d give everyone an eyeful.
Not that he was complaining. But he couldn’t deal with a hard-on right now.
She gave him a salute. “Ahoy there, Captain. Doesn’t the Lily look amazing?”
“It does. But what the hell are you wearing?” His voice came out gruffer than he’d intended, but he couldn’t help himself. He didn’t want every guy in the bar trying to hit on her.
“I’m Tinker Bell, of course.” Hands on her hips, she struck a pose. “I’ll admit the costume is a little tight and a tad too short. I just have to be careful not to bend over.” Her eyes sparkled. “Not until after the bar closes, and my lusty pirate captain can have his way with me.”
You’d better believe it. “This is just pushing all your buttons, isn’t it, sweetheart?”
“Absolutely.” She came behind the bar and appraised him closely. “You look so sexy as Captain Hook. It’s like all my steamiest pirate fantasies come to life.” She ran her hands down his long scarlet jacket. “Seeing you dressed like this makes me all hot and bothered.”
He pulled her closer and squeezed her ass, which was barely covered by the costume. “If you don’t behave, you’re getting a spanking tonight.”
“Don’t make any promises you can’t keep, Cap’n.”
“Hey, let’s keep it PG over here.” Rosie breezed up to the bar with Drew beside her. They were clad in matching gray Ghostbusters jumpsuits.
With a giggle, Charlie broke away from Knox. “Fine, we’ll behave. I like your costumes, but you’re missing the proton packs. How are you going to fight any ghosts without your equipment?”
“Those darn packs are too heavy,” Rosie said.
“So, we ditched them for now. We figured our outfits would be on-brand, seeing as how the hotel is hosting a ghost-hunting show next weekend. The only problem is…” She paused as their boss strolled into the bar.
“Preston loved the idea so much he decided to follow our lead.”
He was wearing an outfit like theirs, but with the hefty proton pack on his back.
“He’s a total copycat,” Drew said. “Though, to be fair, there were four ghostbusters in the movies, so I guess we can use one more.”
“You still okay with running the costume contest?” Knox asked him.
Drew beamed. “Yeah, I can’t wait. After Christmas, Halloween is my favorite holiday.”
Knox cast his gaze around the lounge, taking in the full effect. The Lily could have easily served as the set for an eerie 1920s movie. “You all did an incredible job decorating. This is way better than I expected.”
“Preston gave us a generous budget,” Rosie said. “This stuff didn’t come cheap, but we can store it in the basement and use it next year. Assuming this party becomes a tradition.”
Knox rolled his eyes, but it was more to get a laugh out of the others.
To be honest, he was glad the Duchess was going all out to celebrate Halloween.
Last October, they’d barely acknowledged the holiday.
At the time, Preston was still new to the job, and the hotel was struggling to attract guests. A lot had changed in a year.
“My cousin Benito’s coming to act as our bouncer,” Rosie added. “He’s built like a tank and doesn’t put up with any crap. If anyone gets too rowdy, he can deal with them.”
Knox nodded. “Glad to hear it.”
Charlie slipped out of his arms and went back to the other side of the bar. “We’ll all be hanging out, but if you need a break or anything, tell one of the servers to come find us.” She flashed him an affectionate smile. “Thanks for going along with this. I know it’s a lot.”
Her words filled him with a warm glow. She wasn’t asking him to change who he was. All she wanted was one night where he was fully on board. “I’ll be fine. But if I get too hot, I’m ditching the hat and jacket.”
“That’s okay. You’ll still be my sexy pirate.
” When Rosie groaned, Charlie shot her a mock glare.
“You think you and Drew are the only ones who can act all lovey-dovey? Not even.” She looped her arm through Rosie’s.
“Come on. Let’s see if there’s a line forming outside the entrance yet.
” They walked away, with Drew following close behind them.
Lovey-dovey. Not an expression Knox would use to describe himself, but it fit.
After the excruciating buffet at the yacht club and the reconciliation that followed, he and Charlie had grown closer.
Squeezing in overnight visits when they could, trying to snatch a half hour here and there during their breaks, and sending flirty texts. He hadn’t felt this happy in years.
His nephew, Jordan, scooted in just as the grandfather clock in the corner struck seven.
Knox was glad he’d shown up on time, given the size of the crowd pouring into the bar.
Everyone was dressed up, in costumes ranging from the bare minimum—three guys clad in cowboy hats and fringed vests—to the elaborate, like the group of women dressed as characters from Alice in Wonderland .
Within minutes, Knox was up to his elbows in drink orders, working frantically with Miles and Jordan to keep the cocktails flowing.
When he started getting overheated, he stashed his hat and coat in the back and rolled up his sleeves.
Occasionally, Charlie came by to check on him, but she spent most of the time circulating among the guests and hanging out with the Damsels.
Seeing her so bubbly and cheerful, so clearly in her element, filled him with a pang of uncertainty.
Once the novelty of dating him wore off, would his introverted behavior frustrate her?
Events like this weren’t to his liking. After tonight, he’d be happy to go back to his regular gig, tending bar at a cocktail lounge that was rarely crowded, except during happy hour.
Don’t dwell on this now. You don’t have the time.
Instead, he kept his focus on the bar as his muscle memory kicked in. Take the orders, mix the drinks, rinse and repeat. Two hours in, the place was packed to capacity.
Drew grabbed a mic and announced the rules of the costume contest. Once everyone had voted and turned in their ballots, the public judging would begin.
Preston sidled up to the bar. “Great party, eh? I can’t get over the size of this crowd.”
“It’s something, all right,” Knox said. “Need a drink?”
“Just a Coke. I’m on duty.” Preston puffed out his chest. “Did you notice my costume? I’m one of the original ghostbusters.”
“I noticed. You ready to go tackle the ghost in the haunted storage room? Be careful, or you might get locked in.” Knox filled a glass with soda and slid it toward him.
Preston laughed. “Yeah, right. You don’t honestly believe that room is haunted, do you?”
“Are you serious? Why else would Canada’s Most Haunted be filming an episode here?”