Page 150 of The Hot Shot

She winks, an evil glint in her eyes. “A lumberjack.”

I can’t help laughing, mainly because I know Dex will be grumbling over whatever he wears. “Oh, man. Talk about hot lumberjack porn.”

“I know. I think my panties might go up in flames when I see him.” She fluffs out her tiny skirt. “What about Finn?”

Downstairs, the catering staff I hired is setting up for the Halloween party Finn and I are hosting. We did most of the decorations ourselves, but the caterers will put the finishing touches on things.

“He won’t tell me. It’s supposed to be a surprise.Speaking of which...” I walk to the garment bag hanging by the mirror. “My costume is one as well.”

“Finn picked out your costume?” Fi gives me a look that’s part amused, part afraid. “And you trusted him? What if it’s a carrot?”

I snort. “All the things you could have come up, with and you pick carrot?”

“Felt nice and random.”

I press a hand against the bag, prolonging the moment, because I know it will be good. “Finn would never dress me as a carrot. No, he was downright giddy when he left this for me with strictdo not look until you’re getting dressedinstructions.”

“Well...” Fi waves a hand. “Let’s see it.”

Taking a breath, I slowly unzip the bag. Shimmery white tulle pours out as if it’s been waiting to spring free. My breath kicks up a little.

“What is it?” Fi asks behind me. “An angel costume?”

With trembling hands, I part the edges of the bag.He couldn’t have. He didn’t...

A happy laugh bubbles up and bursts free as my vision blurs. “He did.” I press my hand to my mouth, still grinning wide. “He did.”

The midnight black bodice is soft velvet with a deep V-shaped neckline. The skirt is frothy snow-white tulle, layers and layers of it that rustle and bounce at the touch of my hand. Black vines snake out from the bodice to lie upon that pristine skirt.

“Wow,” Fiona whispers at my side. “That’s...”

“Grace Kelly’s dress fromRear Window.” Another messy, sobbing laugh escapes me. “He actually got me a new one.” Onlythis version is so much better than my old, sadly destroyed knockoff dress. This is a masterpiece, a truly authentic copy of Kelly’s iconic dress, down to the slim patent leather belt and the even deeper V-shaped neckline in the back.

I explain to a confused Fiona about how I’d worn a dress like this before, how Finn recognized it, and how I’d lost it in the fire.

“He had a new one made for you.” Her gaze is dreamy as she touches the short sleeve of the bodice. “Touchdown, Mannus.”

There’s even a bag filled with a pearl bracelet cuff, strand necklace, and cluster earrings.

Fi helps me get ready, pinning my hair back in a swirly chignon, and I hunt down a pair of strappy black heels.

My dress swishes and sways as I walk down the stairs. But I don’t find Finn waiting for me. In fact, he’s conspicuously absent by the time the party is in full swing. I’m surrounded by friends, but no Finn.

I don’t know if I should be worried or annoyed.

Searching for him is slow going, as costume-clad guests stop me every few feet to compliment my dress. Finally, I reach the back garden where Finn has ordered a dance floor to be placed beneath strings of little ghost-shaped lights. A band is set up at the far end and is playing a cover of “Werewolves of London.”

I catch a glimpse of Jake’s face at the edges of the crowd and head his way. “Jake, have you seen—What the hell are you wearing?” I squeak out with a laugh.

Bland as can be, Jake glances down the length of his body before answering. “A bunny suit.”

Rolondo, Dex, Fiona, and Charlie are with him, and they all start to crack up. “‘He looks like a pink nightmare,’?” Dex intones.

Jake raises a fuzzy, pink middle finger in his direction.

I bite down on my grin. Here I thought Fi was way off with her carrot worries. “You lost a bet, didn’t you?”

Jake’s lips purse. “Yes.” He brightens a little. “Though I can’t entirely say I’m disappointed.”