“Are my ears on straight?” I avert my gaze to Millie in the mirror. She’s standing beside me in my en suite bathroom, adding the last curls to her hair with the curling iron.
She glances at me, iron held midair, and nods. I finish lining the top of my green eyes before adding mascara. When I’m done, I just stare at myself for a minute. Something I haven’t let myself do too much of since Zeke and I broke up for fear of my confidence waning even more. Which I never used to struggle with until these past months.
Millie’s often called my build more athletic, but with boobs and a bit of ass. And said ass and boobs are growing by the week while my athletic build is showing curves that I’m actually not too sad about. My face has lost that gaunt look it had after Zeke’s departure. Minus the few stretch marks that have started to grace me with their presence, I’m actually loving all the changes from carrying this baby. Although, I bet I won’t be saying that in a few more months’ time when I can’t get my oversized stomach and ass off the couch. But I’ve been blessed with no morning sickness or any other ailments yet. So I know when to consider myself lucky. Stretch marks? I’ll take them. Not like I’m planning to get laid for at least a decade anyway.
“How do I look?” Millie asks, standing back and adjusting the most ridiculous costume she’s ever worn. And she’s worn some doozies.
“Who are you again?” I brace myself after seeing the disbelief in her blue eyes.
“What?! We’ve been over this like thirty times this past month. You”—she points at me—“Cheshire cat. Me”—she pokes her chest—“Absolem, the caterpillar who turns into a butterfly. Sheesh.” She shakes her head. As if I’m the one who’s making poor costume choices. Again.
“Mil, I just think—”
She cuts me off with a wave. “Uh-uh, no. We agreed weeks ago. Besides, you look hot as hell as the Cheshire cat. I don’t know why you’ve got your panties in a twist.” She shakes her head in exasperation before she turns back to the mirror to apply a shade of red lipstick that clashes hideously with her caterpillar ensemble.
Yep. Because I’m worried about how I look. I roll my eyes. Actually, I kind of am, but next to her, I’ll look almost normal. I bite my lips to hold in the laughter that wants out. She’s my best friend, though. Best friends don’t let best friends leave the house in ridiculous costumes before at least warning them. Even if it is Halloween.
I grab my clutch and start stuffing my phone and some cash inside. Closing it, I sit on the bed to wait for Millie. “Seriously, though, Mil, are those meant to be legs?” I look pointedly in the direction of the tassel-like things running up and down the sides of her costume. “I dunno if I want to be seen with you in public. Just sayin’.”
I’m actually a little shocked by how far her head turns back to glare at me from her position in the bathroom. Her red lips form a comical O. Like those rotating clown heads at the carnival that I’d throw balls into the mouths of as a kid.
“For the sake of our best friendship, I’m going to act as if those words never left your mouth. Ready, bitch-tits?”
I sigh. Well, I tried. I stand and slip my feet into my purple ballet flats. I’d usually wear heels on an occasion like this, but swelling feet is something I’m trying to avoid after hitting the six-month milestone.
Millie grabs her clutch while slipping on her black pumps. Following me to the door, she waits on the porch for me to lock up before we begin our walk to the town’s annual Halloween festival. The sun has almost finished its descent as we walk down the street from my house toward town, the night air carrying a bit of bite that has me glad I wore my long, knitted lilac cardigan over my purple, skintight cat-girl-like outfit. I feel more like a pregnant playboy kitty than the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland, but whatever. It’s easier to let Millie have her way most of the time and just roll with it. Though I am planning to yank off this ridiculous tail as soon as she turns her back.
Millie’s phone chimes in her clutch, and she digs it out with a frustrated groan. “What, Mother?” Millie and her mom have a tentative relationship at best. Estelle Shepherd was the county’s beauty pageant winner five years running in her glory days. She and her oil tycoon ex-husband had plans for their daughter, and Millie thwarted them at every turn. “No, I didn’t return your call because I have a life, one that I’m trying to freaking live.” She all but pants into the phone.
I zone out, having heard the same arguments countless times before. As we pass Mr. Donaldson’s house on the other side of the street, I can’t stop my thoughts from straying to a certain dark-eyed man.
To say that it’s been a pretty uneventful month would be an understatement, but I’m not complaining. Some days, I want this pregnancy to hurry up, so I can meet my baby. But this past month, I’ve appreciated the calm that I’m sure I’ll miss once bub arrives. I was also right in assuming my days of running into Seb may be over, which has left me feeling weirdly disappointed. I miss the random conversation and the way this nagging pain in my chest would ease from just being in his presence.
“Can you believe her? Of course, she’s found out. Of fucking course, she did.” She huffs. Here we go. I knew it wouldn’t take long, and to be honest, the amount of fucks I give over Estelle’s opinion is next to none.
“Let me guess; she’s worried about you being associated with me, now?” I laugh.
“Yep, pretty much.” She blows out a breath. “Don’t worry about it, though. There’s nothing she can do, which is what drives her bonkers. I’m here to stay. You’re stuck with me.” She loops her arm through mine. “You, me, and the little nugget are three peas in one awesome pod.”
I smile at her, and we cross the street, reaching the town square. Lights start to flicker on throughout the trees and around the gardens as we approach the park, making it look like a magic garden straight out of a page from a picture book. That is until you see the sinister looking carved pumpkins, and the ghosts hanging from trees, as well as bats and other miscellaneous creatures that go bump in the night.
I used to almost pee myself in excitement as a kid when Grandma and Grandpa would bring me here for a little while and then take me trick-or-treating on the walk home. It all seems so much creepier as a child, though. Now, that excitement is still there, but I can’t help but wonder what poor shmuck gets stuck with clean-up.
“Holy guacamole. Check out the guns on Norman junior. Who woulda thought?” Millie snickers near my ear. I cover my mouth when a shocked laugh escapes at the sight of Mary Simmons’ grandson, Norman the Third, drinking a beer in his ninja turtle costume. “Oh, my God. I had no idea.”
“Mmmhmm.” She agrees before unhooking my arm and dragging me by the hand over to the food cart. After getting some fries loaded in ketchup and a soda each, we head over to a table slightly out of the way from the hustle and bustle of people arriving and milling about. After eating in record time, I’m wiping my mouth and considering whether I should go for seconds when I hear a voice that sends my gut rolling.
Okay, maybe not.
“Hey, ladies,” Beau greets us as he walks over and leans a hip against the table. I look up right into his light brown eyes that might be hiding more than I should dare to even guess. I’ve managed to avoid him until now.
He probably knows where Zeke is.
I crush the thought as soon as it enters my mind. Even if he did, what good would it do me? There are only so many times a woman can get her heart shattered before she decides to stop throwing herself on the firing line.
“What the hell do you want, Ape?” Millie snaps. Her usual M.O. when Beau is near—shields up and weapons at the ready—but even more so now. Beau runs a hand through that wavy brown hair of his as his muscles bunch under his skintight Captain America costume. A move Millie doesn’t miss. I’m sure he knows exactly what he’s doing, too. I try to hide my smile by taking a sip of my soda.
“Nothing. Just admiring the scenery. Quite grotesque this year, isn’t it?” He smirks right at Millie. What an ass. I barely hold in a laugh and the soda in my mouth. I’m firmly Team Millie, and she’d kill me.
“Shut up, asshole. Didn’t you wear that same costume last year? Where’s your shield? Lose it during the shag fest you had after the last Halloween festival?”
He grins. “Keeping tabs on me, are you, Millicent?” She fucking hates being called Millicent, and her face grows redder by the second with fury. “Speaking of costumes, what exactly is all that?” He points his finger at her outfit in emphasis when he says that.
Millie stands up. Oh, shit. I tense, preparing myself to intervene. For all the good it’d do anyway.
But she only tugs on a piece of fabric at her side, releasing her wings. Which only succeeds in making her look all the more ridiculous due to the fact that only one shoots out properly while the other flops halfway up her back. The worst part is I don’t think she even realizes the wardrobe malfunction.
“I’m Absolem, the caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland, duh,” she says while placing her hands on her hips. Beau smiles at her like she’s the best invention since sliced bread. “You’re something, all right,” he mutters under his hand as he rubs it over his mouth.
“What?” Millie asks.
“I said I’ve never heard of him. But you go right ahead and keep rocking the shit outta that caterpillar getup, darlin’.”
“Damn right, I will. Why are you even here?”
“I actually just wanted to check in on our baby mama over here,” he says while smiling my way.
“She’s not ‘our’ anything, moron. You’re a traitor of the worst degree. Letting Zeke skip town like some sort of wounded animal.” She snarls.
Okay, she went there. I start fidgeting with my soda can.
Beau holds up his hands in defense. “Whoa, spitfire. I didn’t do shit. One minute, he’s staying at my place, depressed and leaving bottles of Jack everywhere. Then there’s a note on the kitchen counter saying he’s found a new job and gone.” He shrugs, looking my way apologetically.
“You’ve known me since kindergarten, Liv. I’d never condone him doing that shit. Hell, what he was doing to you before he left already had me on the verge of kicking his ass out of my place numerous times. I’m sorry, darlin’.”
I give him a watery smile. It’s not his fault his friend’s a dick. I knew that. But hearing this has made me feel marginally better about being around him, so there’s that at least.
Millie’s silent, which is rare in Beau’s presence. So I don’t even know why, but I thank him.
“No worries, anything you need. You’ve got my number. Don’t go trying to set up any cribs or any other huge baby crap on your own, you hear?” Millie and I exchange a discreet side-eye. Not saying a damn word.
We’re saved by Herbie Rutherford himself when he runs over to our table. Out of breath, he bends over, breathing deeply and coughing a few times before sputtering out, “Beau! Thank God, I found you. I need your help. Some idiot overloaded the circuit board, and it’s sparking and scaring the crap outta me. I ain’t got any idea when it comes to electricity,” he says with a shake of his head that sends his chins wobbling like a turkey.
Beau’s an electrician and gets dragged into town problems all the time because of it. He sighs before throwing us a wave and saying he’ll catch up with us later.
“Not if we can help it,” Millie sings on a smile and waves.
He laughs as he walks off. And I don’t miss Millie checking out his ass as he does. Neither does Beau, seeing as he turns around and winks at her, making her turn bright red as she flips him off.
“Fucker. I wish he’d leave town,” she blurts out before shooting me an apologetic look.
I laugh. “It’s okay. You’d miss him if he did, though. At least seeing him around gives you some spank bank material.”
“Amen, sister. I’m going to mingle a bit. You coming?”
“Nah, I think I’ll sit for a little while.”
She nods. “I’ll meet you back here then.”
I watch her walk off and then look over at the kids running around the barrel for the apple bobbing contest over on the grass. Munching on their wares as they play.
“We’ve really got to stop meeting like this.”
My spine stiffens, and my heart stutters a little in my chest at the sound of his voice.
Well, shit.
I paint a smile on my face as I look over to see Seb approaching the picnic table. He’s wearing his black framed glasses and a three-piece suit. I can just vaguely make out what I think is the Superman logo peeking out through the top of his dress shirt. Superman, go figure. I think my sixteen-year-old self would be drooling right now. Hell, I think anyone would be right now. I quickly avert my gaze to the table.
“Hey.” Yeah, that’s all I got. What the hell am I supposed to say after how he left things weeks ago?
He clears his throat. “Can I sit?”
I scrunch up my nose. “Of course.”
He does and immediately jumps right in. “Look, I’m just gonna say it. I know I acted like a dick when you told me that you’re having a baby. I’m sorry. I was just … I guess, a little bit shocked.” I look up at him then.
Seeing the remorse in those dark chocolate eyes soothes the sting his reaction caused. But I still get the feeling he’s been avoiding me. I sigh, inwardly kicking myself. He doesn’t owe me a damn thing. I don’t even know why I got so bent out of shape over it. Can I blame it on the hormones? I think I’ll do just that.
I tuck some of my hair behind my ear. “Seriously, it’s cool. It’s not every day a new friend tells you that she’s knocked up and the baby daddy has skipped town.” I try for humor and know instantly that I fail. Not only because of the bruises still occupying my chest cavity, but because of the wince Seb doesn’t even try to hide.
“Olive—”
I cut him off. “Liv.”
“Right. I don’t know Zeke; I don’t think I even met the guy. So I’m not even going to try to pretend to understand your situation. But regardless, he’s a fucking idiot.” He pauses to take a breath but doesn’t stop there.
“I’ve spent weeks trying to work up the courage to apologize. I felt like such an asshole. I just didn’t know what to do because I don’t know if you’ve already figured it out, but …” He scrubs his hand over his stubble-covered jaw. “I like you, Liv. As in want to get to know you more, take you on dates, hold your hand, and maybe see if your lips feel as soft as they look kind of like you.” He sits back and stares at me, running a hand through his hair while I sit there, stunned stupid. My heart pounds furiously at the words that just came out of his mouth.
Did he seriously just say all that?
“Se—”
He holds up a hand. “It’s okay. You don’t need to say anything. I just kind of needed to get that out. To explain myself. I’m not expecting anything. I guess for some reason I just needed you to know.”
“I can’t, not now. It wouldn’t be fair. Not for you or for me,” I practically whisper. Pleading with my eyes for more understanding.
He nods as if he knew I’d say that. Before giving me everything I didn’t know I needed quite so badly. “I know. Friends?”
I give him a shaky smile. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
He smiles before pointing at my ears. “Cat woman?”
I laugh. “Nope, the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland. Wait until you see Mil. It was her idea. Speaking of …” I stand and turn slightly, yanking the tail off my butt. I turn back to see Seb a little wide-eyed, raking that gaze over me before stopping at my stomach.
He swallows. “I see. How far along are you now?”
“About six months,” I respond while sitting back down.
“Do you know what you’re having?”
“Nope, keeping it a surprise.” I smile while glancing down at my stomach and rubbing a hand over it.
I decide to change the subject. “So Clark Kent, huh?”
He gives me a husky chuckle. “Yep, I seem to do it almost every year. Got the glasses already, so that helps.”
“You don’t have to wear them all the time?” I remember seeing him without them a few times.
“Contacts. It really all depends on how organized or tired I am.” He shrugs. “Hey, pass me your phone for a second.”
Huh? “Why?”
“I forgot mine. I just want to check something, if that’s okay?”
I shrug. “Sure.”
I fish it out of my clutch and pass it over to him. He messes around with it a bit before I hear another phone’s ringtone going off, which has him swiftly handing mine back over.
“I just got played, didn’t I?” I laugh and take it from him.
Leaning forward, he digs his phone out of his pocket. “Afraid so. But”—he holds it up for emphasis—“being friends and all, and you being pregnant, it kind of makes sense.” He smiles cheekily. And I kind of want to stick my finger in that lone dimple of his.
“Smooth, Clark.” Despite any reservations I may have, I save his number quickly before putting my phone away.
“Liv! Holy shit. Why didn’t you tell me about my wing being all stupid looking?” Millie whispers-hisses as she comes up behind me, making me almost jump out of my seat.
Seb eyes her ensemble. I can tell from the biting of his lips that he’s trying to keep from laughing. The fact that she’s called her broken butterfly wing stupid looking when she’s dressed as a bulky caterpillar in Louis Vuitton pumps doesn’t escape his notice either. I snort as he and I exchange looks. That feeling of relief returning to my chest with his company once more.