Page 25 of FWB

I sigh. “I doubt it. I’ve barely heard from him all day.

He wished me a happy birthday first thing this morning and then crickets.

I’ve tried texting him throughout the day, but they’ve all gone unanswered.

I don’t know what’s going on. He called out sick which he never does.

That man will work through anything. Something is up. I just don’t know what.”

“Want me to go hunt him down for you? I can have him hogtied, in the back of my Subaru, and here in an hour. Just give me his full name,” she deadpans, totally serious.

God, I love Kiersten. This is why she’s my true soul mate. She never lets me down.

“No.” I laugh. “I’m just gonna let him be.

I’m not going to chase a man. If he wants to be here, then he’ll be here.

I’m not going to beg him to want me. I have more self-respect than that.

” I don’t necessarily believe what I’m saying right now.

There’s nothing I would like more than to blow up his phone, demanding to know why he’s ignoring me today of all days.

“Good! Now get your fine ass in there and finish getting ready! Your guests will be arriving any minute. I can take care of the rest.”

I smile at Kiersten, and she smacks my ass as I turn to go into the bedroom to finish putting on my costume.

I enter the bedroom and walk over to the closet where I have my costume hanging on the door.

It’s a skin-tight, fire-engine-red bodysuit with a zipper going down the middle of the front, so I can reveal as much or as little cleavage as I want.

Behind the bodysuit on the same hanger is a pair of black angel wings.

I’m going as the Devil to Kiersten’s Angel.

I start by putting on a pair of fishnet tights.

My two tattoos, one on each thigh, and my raccoon tattoo peek out between the sheerness.

Slipping into the bodysuit, I pull the zipper up just enough to cover the girls.

I walk over to the vanity to touch up my makeup before putting on my wings and red-black ombre heels.

I had taken off the sugar skull makeup as soon as I got to the rental house.

It was starting to give me a headache. For tonight, I opt for a spooky version of my usual eyeliner, mascara, and eyebrows.

However, I add a little red devil tail curling around the wing of my cat-eye eyeliner.

I pair it with a matching red lipstick and call it a day.

I decide to keep my hair in the same curly fashion I wore to work.

As I’m tying the laces to my heels, the doorbell rings.

“I’ll get it,” Trevor calls from the living room.

I take one last look in the mirror before mustering up the most realistic smile I can manage. I check my phone one more time. Nothing from Kenny. Just Jerome saying he’s on his way in case he needs to pick up anything last minute I may have forgotten.

I open the bedroom door that leads into the spacious living room to find Rex and Tanner removing their coats and hanging them on the hook by the front door. Rex is dressed as Frankenstein’s monster and Tanner is Dr. Frankenstein. I walk over to give each of them a hug.

“Hey, y’all! Glad you could make it. Thank you so much for coming,” I say with as much enthusiasm as I can muster.

“We wouldn’t miss the party of the year,” Rex exclaims.

“Yeah, we’ve been looking forward to this all week!” Tanner chimes in.

“Have you met my friend, Trevor?” I gesture to my froggy friend.

“We just made our introductions,” Rex tells me.

Kiersten comes sauntering in, looking like a literal angel from above.

The white of the corset and mini skirt she’s wearing pair well with her light brown skin.

Her hair looks like flames billowing out from her head, where a feathery white halo sits atop it.

Her wings flap behind her as she crosses the room.

“Hey, y’all. Can I interest anyone in a drink?” she asks while holding up a black Solo cup containing what I can only assume is some lethal concoction she came up with on the fly.

“Kiersten, this is Rex and his partner, Tanner,” I say, gesturing to the couple. “Guys, this is my best friend/soul sister, Kiersten. We’ve been besties since college.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Tanner replies.

“Yeah, it’s nice to meet you both,” Rex adds in turn. “I’m actually sober, so I brought my own non-alcoholic beer. Is there somewhere I can keep it cold?”

“Sure, I’ll show you where the coolers are.”

Rex follows Kiersten to the kitchen as Jerome and Michelle come strolling in through the kitchen doorway. They must have come in through the back door. I introduce the two of them to my college friends.

The doorbell rings again about thirty minutes later, and a few of my friends from my old veterinary office are at the door.

Each are still wearing their scrubs, some donning some type of festive headwear after having just come from work.

I do not miss those days. I welcome them in, glad to see them after so long, and make the round of introductions.

Finally, Elizabeth arrives shortly after Alyssa, both walk up to the front step at the same time.

Both are still wearing their costumes from earlier.

I don’t need to make the introductions because Jerome does it for me.

He’s already a couple of Kiersten’s cocktails deep and he’s heard my spiel a couple of times, so I let him take the lead.

He only needs to be corrected once. I’m impressed.

Rex takes over the role of DJ and plays “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan. “Let’s get this party started!” he shouts.

So we eat, drink, and dance the night away. I actually manage to—somewhat—forget the fact that Kenny isn’t here, and have fun with the friends who did show up for me.

As the party winds down, Kiersten cuts the lights out and brings out a massive full sheet cake designed to look like a realistic skull with two giant plastic gemstones for eyes.

Thirty-three black candles line the edge of the cake.

I take a deep breath. There’s only one thing I want.

Kenny. I blow out every single candle in one breath.