Page 37

Everyone knows the getting-ready stage is one of the best parts of a night out. Being with my girls, it’s no different.

Between the four of us, we’ve already devoured half of my birthday cupcakes and are well on our way to finishing our second bottle of wine.

“May the universe know that I, too, need a Levi in my life,” Elsie groans, stuffing the last bit of the cupcake into her mouth.

I smile, catching her eye in the floor-length mirror. I just got done telling them about my date with Levi last night and the surprise he left at my door this morning.

Pia lifts her wineglass in solidarity. “That makes two of us.” She takes a long sip before going back to curling her hair.

As expected, she immediately clicked with Macy and Elsie, and we spent the better part of an hour taking turns doing our hair and makeup. I’ve brought every mirror in my apartment into the living room so we can all get ready together.

The plan is to meet with the boys in a few hours at the football house. A few parties are happening in and around campus tonight in honor of Halloween, but according to Elsie, this is the one we have to be at.

“Who knew he was such a romantic?” Macy says, putting the finishing touches on her pirate costume.

Smacking my lips together, I cap the lipstick in my hand and toss it into my makeup bag. “As great as it is going on dates with Levi, it would be nice if we could double date sometime.”

I look at my friends with an exaggerated pout, hoping they catch my drift.

“Unless you’re hopping on a plane for those dates, don’t look this way,” Pia says, sticking her tongue out at me.

“Don’t look at me either.” Elsie sighs. “I have notoriously bad luck when it comes to L-O-V-E.”

We glance over at Macy, who’s braiding her hair into French braids on either side of her head.

When she feels our attention on her, she raises a single brow. “What?”

“What’s your take on what Bear said?” Elise asks.

“I thought it was obvious. I’m last on that list.” She shrugs, going back to doing her hair.

Elsie gawks. “How is that obvious?”

“Yes, please tell me because you’re the hottest Pirate I’ve ever seen. Tattoos and all.” Pia chimes in from the floor.

“Thanks,” Macy grins, glancing at the very real tattoos adorning her arms for a moment. “But I don’t think something long-term is in the cards for me right now.”

“Because you’re holding out for a certain someone?”

Macy shoots Elsie a look, which Pia catches.

“Oh, there’s something there.” My best friend says excitedly. “Spill the tea. Who is he?”

I busy myself with putting together my outfit, letting Elsie take the lead on this particular topic. Macy likes to keep things close to her chest, and I know she’ll talk about whatever’s going on—if there’s even anything going on—when she’s ready.

“No one,” Macy says nonchalantly. “Elsie is delusional.”

“I am not.” Elsie laughs, joining Pia on the floor. Her long hair is more wavy than curly tonight.

Pia frowns, looking between the two of them. “So, there’s no one?”

“Oh, there’s someone. And he’s a green-eyed, curly-haired brunette with tattoos. A total hottie,” Elsie says, waggling her sculpted brows.

“She’s talking about Levi’s best friend,” I explain, slipping on my white Converse sneakers. “His name’s Mack, and you’ll see him tonight.”

“He’s not my type,” Macy huffs.

“With that description, he sounds like everyone’s type,” Pia giggles.

I think I’m the only one who notices Macy’s shoulder slump slightly at Pia’s words. However, when she speaks, her tone is casual, if not a little indifferent.

“Exactly why he’s bad news. Never going to happen where he’s concerned.”

Pia’s lips twitch as she looks at me. “Remember how you said something similar to me about Levi?”

“Yeah,” I laugh, remembering our many conversations, which involved her telling me to go for it and me listing every reason why it was a bad idea.

But the instant his front door swung open and those whiskey eyes stared back at me, I just knew. If anyone could get me to try again, it would be him. Sure, he was persistent, but it was never just one-sided. Levi was just willing to show his hand much earlier than I was.

“Full circle moment.” Elsie sighs wistfully, and even Macy is smiling.

“Full circle moment.” I echo.

“As happy as I am for my best friend, I’ve never felt more single.”

“Shit, you’re right, Pia. More wine and less lovey-dovey stuff.” Elsie laughs.

“Totally fair,” I say, happy to no longer be the center of attention.

Grabbing the wine bottle, I refill everyone’s glasses while Elsie updates us on the latest campus gossip.

***

The party is already in full swing when the Uber pulls up to the football house.

People in various costumes spill out of the front door, drinks in hand. The LED lights aimed at the house illuminate their faces.

The front yard is decked out with Halloween decorations, from skeletons to zombies. Cobwebs hang from the many windows, and fake spiders are positioned against the brick, making it look like they’re scrambling toward the center of the webs. It’s impressive.

“This looks insane.” Pia murmurs, standing next to me, taking in everything I see.

The music, the people, the vibe—it screams party in the best way possible.

Next to her, Elsie giggles, fiddling with the hem of her Tinker Bell-inspired green mini-dress. “That’s pretty much what Bear said when we first brought her here.”

We make our way up the pathway and straight through the house. Like last time, the dance floor is packed with bodies. We weave through the crowd, heading for the backyard.

We’re all still feeling the effects of the wine, so we aren’t ready for hard liquor just yet, which is why we’re heading for an empty beer-pong table.

Wine and beer aren’t a better combination, but at least it’ll be a fun way to pass the time until Levi and his friends arrive. On the drive over, he texted me, saying his meet ran late but that he was home and getting ready.

“How are we dividing teams?” Macy asks as we stand in a little huddle beside the table.

“Rock, paper, scissors?” I suggest.

“Sounds good to me,” Pia says, and Elsie nods.

In the end, I’m paired with Elsie, and Pia and Macy take their position on the opposite end of the table. They’re both speaking in hushed voices with their heads bent low. Occasionally, they’ll look over at the cups, nod, and then return to whispering.

“I should warn you now, Bear. I’m good at many things, but anything involving a ball, racket, or bat is not one of them,” Elsie says, her eyes begging me to tell her I’m any better.

“Shit,” I mumble, staring at her. “That’s not good. I suck at anything that involves hand-eye coordination.” My long legs make me feel like Bambi half the time, so sports never came naturally. “Pia’s super competitive.”

“We’re screwed. Macy doesn’t like to lose either.” Elsie groans. “And I hate beer.”

Accepting our inevitable doom, we wait for the game to start. The next hour is even worse than we expected. Elsie misses every shot, and my balls bounce all over the yard. We’ve downed half our beers before Macy or Pia have even touched theirs.

It’s gotten so bad that when Macy makes her next shot, she stops me from picking up the red solo cap.

“ Please , let me take this one,” she practically begs, and I gladly hand her the lukewarm beer. She downs it in one go, not stopping for air until every drop is gone.

Elise sinks her next shot, and the small crowd around us cheers like she’s broken a world record. After a few more fumbles from our side, we manage to empty the cups. As we leave the beer pong table to head inside, a pair of strong arms snake around my waist, and a familiar scent engulfs me.

Levi’s head dips down, and I shiver when his breath fans over the shell of my ear. “Has anyone told you you’re the sexiest ballerina here tonight?”

Turning in his arms, he pulls me closer, and I melt into him, relishing the feel of his body against mine. It feels like I haven’t seen him in days, even though it’s barely been twenty-four hours.

My hands roam up his sculpted chest, a warm tingle spreading through my palms at the contact. I brush away a strand of damp hair that’s fallen onto his forehead. His black lashes frame his eyes, and I feel the familiar tug of lust deep in my belly whenever I look at him.

Unable to resist teasing him, I say, “Actually, a few people have.” I giggle when his mouth twists into a scowl. “But you’re the only one I want to hear it from.”

I lean up and kiss him, savoring the feel of his mouth on mine, the taste of minty toothpaste exploding on my tongue. I force myself to pull back far too quickly, aware that we're surrounded by people.

“Hi,” I whisper, my teeth sinking into my bottom lip.

“Hi, birthday girl,” he whispers back. “Are you having a good time?”

I nod. “The best, and it just got better.”

A group of guys dressed as skeletons barrel out of one of the doors, and Levi moves us out of their way.

Under the soft glow of an outside lamp, I finally notice the full extent of his costume, or rather the lack of one.

A half groan, half laugh escapes me. “That’s what you dressed up as?”

He’s wearing a black tee, a pair of goggles, and a gold medal around his neck.

A swimmer. He came as a swimmer.

“There was a bit of a time crunch.” He flashes me a cheeky grin, the kind I’m sure has gotten him out of trouble more than once.

“Is this from today?” I ask, fingering the ribbon of the medal.

He covers my hand with his own, bringing the manicured fingers to his lips before gently kissing them. “Yeah, missed you in the stands.”

“I was cheering you on in spirit. Proud of you.”

He captures my mouth again, sweet and slow. And my insides burn for him. A soft moan slips out, and this time, I can’t bring myself to care that we’re in public.

“Oi, lovebirds! Everyone’s waiting for you on the dance floor.” Mack calls from behind me.

Pulling away from me, Levi narrows his eyes at his friend. “Has anyone ever told you that you have shitty timing?”