Page 28 of The One You Want

“Every single year,” he said proudly. “This year I was thinking Captain America. You think I have the build forit?”

Something in my stomach seemed to seize up at the thought of his build. Maybe best not to go down that road with myfriend.

“What about a deranged person?” I offered innocently. “We could get you a straight jacket and give you some flowers to singto.”

“You’re just hilarious tonight, aren’tyou?”

“Ithink I’m prettyfunny.”

He released my shoulder—my heart sank a little at the absence of contact—and ruffled my hair. “Just for that, I get to pick your Halloween costume thisyear.”

“I don’t usually dressup.”

He looked shocked. “Why?”

“Why would I? I’m usually just at home onHalloween.”

Grant’s expression turned determined. “Well, that changes this year. You’re dressing up and you’re going to a party. Halloween is like, the best day of the year. I refuse to be friends with you if you don’t recognizethat.”

I stared at him, his lips tilted up in that familiar half smile, eyes shining with amusement even in the darkness. And I knew, right in that moment, that letting myself lose Grant Potter as a friend would be one of the stupidest things I could possiblydo.

So if keeping him happy meant dressing up for Halloween, that was the least I coulddo.

“Fine,” I said, putting as much martyrdom in my voice as I could manage. “I’ll celebrate Halloween withyou.”

The strength of his smile was enough to banish the last remnants of my crappy night. And my agreement earned me his arm back around my shoulder—doublewin.

“That’s a girl,” he murmured, squeezing me tight to hisside.

The way home suddenly seemed far too short—I might have liked to stay right there next to him for the rest of thenight.