Page 55 of Sharing Shadow Secrets (High Five Novella #6)

W alking through High Five, I record short clips of everyone in their costumes. There’re so many good ones. I have no idea who will win the costume contest.

Spotting Emily in an elf costume, I giggle.

I would’ve assumed she’d be Mrs. Claus instead of an elf.

Who knew they made slutty elf costumes, but I guess they make slutty costumes for everything.

The green elf dress is short with a bustier and belt with a gold buckle paired with red fishnet tights.

She’s with Rachel, who’s dressed as an emo girl with a blue wig and bangs parted over half her face, a band T-shirt, ripped up black skinny jeans with multiple studded belts, and a wrist full of bracelets.

A girl dressed as a bouquet is also part of their group.

Aaron’s a gardener. I laugh aloud, putting it together. The bouquet must be his girlfriend, Sarah.

“Can I take some photos and videos of all of you?” I ask, approaching them.

They immediately wrap their arms around each other’s waists, and I snap photos. “Okay, now a candid video. Talk to each other. Then on the count of three, look at me.” They play along, and I count, “One, two, three.” They all look my way, and that will be a fun clip to add to the montage video.

“Taylor,” I hear Nicholas’s voice say, and I turn around. He extends a microphone to me, and I take it from his hand. “Remember, you approved giving Chad a microphone,” he says, raising his brow, then points to the bar. “He’s the guy in the ghost face mask next to the bunny.”

Striding toward them, the blonde in a Playboy bunny costume is covered in fake blood.

They seem like a fun couple. She’s leaning against the bar, and Chad’s wearing a black button down and black jeans with the mask.

I smile, feeling confident this will go well.

Hopefully this type of thing will bring the energy of the crowd up before we announce the costume contest winners in an hour.

“For you,” I try to say nonchalantly, handing Chad the microphone. He takes it, then rips off his mask, placing it on the bar. Running his fingers through his brown hair, he winks at the blonde, then hops onto the bar.

“Chad!” she scolds, and I laugh, stepping away to get a better angle to take photos and videos.

“How’s everyone doing?” he asks, and the crowd whoops.

“Did you know that this bar has some magic?” He pauses, and he better not do fucking magic.

That’s not what we discussed. There’s a beat of silence, which is surprising since High Five is at capacity.

“If there is someone here you’re eyeing, I have it on good authority that it might work out.

Take the owner, Nicholas.” He points at him.

“When he was dressed as Santa last year, he got the phone number of the lady next to him and now they’re married.

Your bartender, Aaron, got his girlfriend’s number at the Valentine’s event.

Your bartender Claire, well, she met her man when this place nearly burned down ahead of the Fourth.

For me, while I had known this girl for a while, it was inviting her to High Five that changed everything.

” He looks down at her. “Little bunny, get up here.”

The blonde shakes her head, and then he extends his hand. The crowd is entirely engaged, and I flinch when an arm wraps around my waist. Looking over my shoulder, it’s Brandon. He kisses the top of my head and squeezes me into him as I record.

The bloodied bunny climbs onto the bar with flushed cheeks.

“Let me see your hand,” Chad says, grabbing her left hand.

“At this exact spot, when we were sitting at these stools below us, I knew that you were passionate, reasonable, too beautiful, funny, caring, and someone special. Six months later, I don’t ever want to spend a day without you.”

Her jaw drops, and a few gasps ripple throughout the crowd. Chad drops to one knee, and the rest of the bar reacts in a collective gasp. Aaron steps to Chad, handing him a ring box. When Chad opens it, a diamond ring is on full display.

“Will you marry me?” he asks.

“Yes!” she screams, bending down to kiss him.

Chad breaks the kiss, sliding the ring on. When he stands, she wraps her arms around his neck, kissing him deep. He dips her, and the crowd applauds. The pop of champagne is barely audible over the noise.

“We’re a magnet for these things,” Brandon jokes, squeezing me tighter into his chest with both arms.

“You just love to crash a party,” I tease back.

“I’m happy I’m here,” he whispers, pressing an open-mouthed kiss to my neck.

I squirm, excited for later and tomorrow, but … “I am working here,” I whisper-scold.

He chuckles, and I watch Aaron hand the lovebirds glasses of champagne. They cheers, and I cannot wait to cut all of this footage for the most epic event recap montage video.

“I think my girlfriend has been working really hard and deserves a reward,” Brandon says in a sexy tone, his lips grazing my ear.

I tap the record button to end my video and turn into him, staring up into his blue eyes. His hands run down my back and steal a quick handful of my ass.

“Do you want to be God’s favorite tonight?” he asks, low.

My jaw immediately drops. “What?” I breathe, and his boyish grin is too cute.

“Your vampire seems very into you,” he says, squeezing my waist.

“Brandon …” I exhale. My heart’s racing. Did he seriously just use the phrase God’s favorite? He’s suggesting Kyle and him. The two of them. Yes. I might combust.

“DVP …” He winks.

“No way!” I swat his chest.

“What does God’s favorite want?”

I bite my lip. This is crazy. “Do you want me to be God’s favorite?” I ask tentatively because this is happening so fast.

“You’re in control. Whatever you want.”

A nervous, excited noise escapes. “But he might not want to …” I trail off.

“If you ask him,” Brandon says, leaning in. “He’ll be down,” he says directly in my ear, then kisses my temple.

“Okay,” I say sarcastically.

“Why would he say no to you?” Brandon asks, cupping his hands on my jaw. “I want you to be God’s favorite tonight.”

My pulse quickens. Two guys. My mind’s racing with all of the pros and cons of doing this tonight, but one thought pops up that I need to check in about.

“Should you be doing this?” I ask softly. “Like, is it good for your mental health?”

“I want to do this.”

“But like …”

“I’m bi. I accept that now, and I think we both can agree Kyle looks really fucking hot tonight.”

I bite my lip. “What do you find attractive about him?” Although it’s a stupid question, everything is attractive about Kyle, but I want to know what Brandon thinks. I’ve never been with a guy who likes guys too.

“His eyes. The way they say so much without words. He’s also sassy like you, which I like.”

I pull Brandon down for a deep kiss. I’m going to be God’s favorite tonight. Well, assuming Kyle says yes.