Elbows resting on the bar, I stare at the bottle of tequila on the shelf in front of me as Monster Mash plays through the speakers overhead.

“Jesus. Is this song on repeat or something?” Reed asks Beth when she emerges from the kitchen. “This is like, the seventh time I’ve heard it in the past hour.”

Beth stops in front of me and smiles, wearing her gumball machine costume.

It’s basically just a white shirt with colored circles drawn in a cluster over her stomach. It’s simple, especially considering the shit I see women wearing when I typically work Halloween night, but there’s no doubt about what she’s trying to pull off.

Looking to Reed when he stops at the stool next to where I’m standing and plants himself in it, Beth explains, “It was the only Halloween playlist I could find on Spotify. There aren’t that many songs on it. In fact, there aren’t a lot of Halloween songs in general. I was pretty limited.”

“Just hand Reed a mic. That’ll be terrifying enough,” I joke.

Reed shoots me a glare. “I’ve been told my voice is fucking poetic. Don’t hate, Tully. Oh, wait. I get it.” He smirks then, slapping me on the shoulder. “You got a lot on your mind right now. On edge a little, are we? How are you not fucking drinking yet? Sweetheart, hook the man up.”

I shake my head.

He runs his mouth way too fucking much. I gotta remember that next time I feel like sharing shit.

“What do you want? Beer?” Beth asks me.

“Tequila.”

“Fuck yeah.” Reed rubs his hands together. “Line ’em up! I’m getting hammered.”

The door opens and catches my eye. I watch a group of people walk in, recognizing them from hanging around here now and again but not knowing them personally. So I don’t linger.

“What’s got you so fucking giddy?” I ask Reed, turning back around.

He opens his mouth to give me some obnoxious answer, I’m sure of it, but Danny’s voice cuts him off.

“Why the hell was there rope hanging from the ceiling in the storage room?” he asks, stopping behind the bar and looking to Beth. “Did Hattie put that in there? I didn’t see it yesterday.”

“Ah, Christ,” Reed grumbles under his breath.

“Um . . . I think that’s always been there,” Beth says, her eyes jumping from Danny to Reed and back again, voice an octave higher than it usually is. “Right? I’m sure I’ve seen it a million times. It’s always there. You just miss it when you go in.”

“I don’t think so,” Danny returns.

“Maybe a ghost put it there,” Reed throws out, clearing this throat when Danny cuts him a look.

“Oooh, yes!” Beth nearly drops the bottle of tequila when she jumps an inch off the ground. “I bet that’s what happened! This place is probably haunted. I’m sure we’ll be finding rope everywhere around here for weeks.”

“Yeah?” Reed asks, looking to Beth with his brows raised, like he actually believes this shit, or at least hopes it’s really happening.

What the fuck is going on?

Danny stares at Beth for another second before shaking his head. “Well, I left it there, for the ghost to get it.” He cuts his eyes to Reed. “And I’m expecting it to be handled before my mind goes to places I’d really prefer it didn’t. Am I being understood?”

“Loud and clear,” Reed replies, getting to his feet. “I’ll just save us all the trouble and get that taken care of. You can thank me with free drinks all night. I’d appreciate it.”

Danny doesn’t respond.

“Or not. That’s cool. I brought my wallet.”

Reed disappears around the corner while Danny serves the group of people who just walked in. They step up to the far end of the bar, and when Hattie makes her way over wearing her Greek goddess costume, she gives Danny a hug from behind and asks the group if they want anything from the kitchen.

I watch Beth line up four shot glasses in front of me.

“You getting in on this?” I tease, pointing at the row.

“Oh, yeah,” she giggles. “And then I’m going outside and smoking a whole pack of cigarettes before I go off-roading in Reed’s truck, without wearing my harness.”

“Now, Beth. Is that smart? We all know your truck is a helluva lot nicer to drive than Reed’s.”

She tips her chin up, looking proud before focusing her attention on pouring the tequila.

“Stop flirting with my woman,” Reed says, reclaiming his seat.

My brows shoot up when he sets the rope on the bar. “Should I even ask?”

“Probably not.”

“Yo!” Tessa’s voice turns my head, grabbing everyone else’s attention in the process, I’m sure. Wearing a devil’s costume equipped with a pitchfork and horns, she strolls over with Luke at her side. “Ooh. Are we doing shots, kids?”

“If there was ever a costume more fitting for someone,” Reed comments.

“No shit,” I add.

Tessa flips us both off, and leans her pitchfork against a stool. “Fuck. Off. Before I drag you both back to hell with me. I wear this every year.”

“You could just punch ’em,” Luke suggests, meeting my eyes and then explaining to the group, “She knocked out this kid at Weber’s. Solid right hook.”

“You punched someone?” Beth asks, eyes wide and trained on Tessa.

Tessa shrugs, picking up a shot glass. “Luke did it first.”

“Nice,” I mumble. “I’m guessing you’re both banned from future attractions there.”

“Oh, fuck that. We’re never going back.” Luke picks up a glass. “Bunch of freaks. You should’ve seen this man-baby. Creepy motherfucker. Fuck. I meant to get his real name before we left. I wanted to run him when I get back to work.”

“He wasn’t a pervert,” Tessa says.

“You say that like you know,” he argues. “I’m telling you, babe. Watch. List. Bet money on it.”

Tessa rolls her eyes, then gestures for Reed and myself to grab a shot. “Let’s go. I’m getting shitfaced.”

“Me too. Danny’s onto me.”

I slowly turn my head.

Reed shrugs.

I take his advice and don’t ask questions. That’s just shit I don’t want to know about.

We all clink glasses and shoot the tequila. Tessa coughs. Reed slaps his chest. As Beth goes about pouring us another round, the room fills up more, people in costumes filing in. Some linger on the dance floor while others move to the bar and get served by Danny and Hattie. The booths start filling up.

My eyes wander to the door every other breath, it feels like. I’m watching for Riley.

I always am.

For the past five months, ever since I first laid eyes on Reed’s sister, she’s the only woman I look for.

Reed nudges me, glass raised. We all take our second shot.

“Where’s your girl?” Luke asks me, minutes later.

“School. She’ll be here.” I push the glass in front of Beth. “One more.”

She raises her brow. “You sure?”

I nod, rubbing at my mouth.

“We’re here! We’re here!” Nolan cries out over the music and commotion going on around us.

Ben and Mia are walking behind him, Ben looking like the happiest guy on the fucking planet, which is pretty typical for him. Mia though, something’s off. She has tears in her eyes and a look of hesitation weighing heavy on her features. Her focus is glued on Tessa, no one else, who immediately sets her glass down and breaks free from the group.

She runs over, knocking people on the dance floor out of her way, and wraps her arms around Mia.

“What’s going on?” Reed asks.

“Mia’s pregnant.”

All eyes move to Luke after he speaks.

Beth gasps and goes over to be with the girls.

“No shit?” I ask.

He nods, smiling.

His reaction is good to see. We all know how much Luke and Tessa have been struggling. I hear about it from Riley, so knowing they’re on board with this makes it really fucking easy to feel happy for Ben and Mia.

“That’s awesome,” Reed says.

I jerk my head, agreeing, and reach behind the bar to grab another glass for Ben. I pour us all another round.

Nolan and Chase finally make their way through the crowd, running over wearing their superhero costumes. The pillowcases in their hands drag on the wooden floor.

“Look how much stuff we got! We hit the mother lode!” Nolan hoists his pillowcase in front of him, lifting it to waist level so everyone can see it. His eyes are big and bright as he looks at everyone through his mask that stops just above his nose. “Do you guys got some candy for us?”

“Don’t you have enough?” I ask.

Nolan blinks. “No way. I’m just getting started.”

“Here, Nolan. Come with me,” Hattie says, waving him over to where she’s standing behind the bar. “I have some candy for you.”

“Sweet!” He takes off running.

“Uncle Wuke.” Chase tugs on Luke’s jeans, getting picked up.

I grab his pillowcase off the ground and set it up on the bar.

“What’s up, bud?” Luke asks him.

Dressed as Superman, Chase yawns around the thumb in his mouth and drops his head on Luke’s shoulder, looking a second away from passing out.

Luke rubs his back.

No fucking way is that guy not going to be a dad.

There’s certain things that are meant to happen for certain people. One way or the other, it always works out.

Ben steps up beside me, grinning big, while the girls continue to hug and do this weird half-crying/half-laughing thing a few feet away.

“I hear congrats are in order,” I say, offering out a hand for him to shake. “That’s awesome, man. Really happy for you.”

“Thanks.” He exhales heavily, releasing my hand and then reaching out to take Reed’s. “Couldn’t let you have all the attention,” he jokes.

Reed snorts. “Can’t say I’m surprised in the least. My happiness means jack shit around here.”

We all share a laugh.

I gesture at the glasses lined up and hand one out to Ben, and we all drink them down just as the girls walk back over.

“Awesome news,” I tell Mia, giving her a quick hug, the wings of her angel costume scratching my arm.

“Thank you. We’re so excited.” Keeping hold of Tessa’s hand, Mia leans her head on Ben’s shoulder and smiles at Reed when he offers his congratulations.

“Let’s get a table,” Luke suggests. He’s still holding Chase, who has his eyes closed now.

Tessa leans in and kisses them both.

I rub my hand down my face, liking the idea of sitting more than I did when I first got here. Three shots in me and I’m feeling pretty relaxed, but just as I turn to follow the group, Riley steps through the door.

And it’s like the crowd wants me to see her. Needs me to see her.

They part like the fucking Red Sea, and if I were a religious man, I’d be thinking this has got to be some biblical shit right here, because without a doubt, that outfit she has on was touched by God.

Or made by the devil.

Probably a mix of both.

“Holyyy shit,” Tessa snickers from her seat at the table. “Okay. Riley wins best outfit of the night. Hands down.”

“Hey, I thought mine was pretty creative,” Beth whines, but there’s a playfulness to her voice. I’m sure she’s smiling.

I just can’t look at her right now to confirm that. I can’t look anywhere else.

Letting my eyes roam up and down the length of Riley, I take her in.

Black police vest stopping at her ribs to show her stomach and unzipped to her cleavage, tight black pants—possibly leather—which I will confirm the second I get close enough to touch, thick black belt with cuffs and a night stick hanging off her hip, and leaning to the side, squinting . . . yep. That’s my Nerf gun sticking out from behind her. I recognize the bright orange handle.

She’s wearing dark aviators and a black uniform hat, and her long blond hair falls past her shoulders. Lips shiny and lifted, no doubt appreciating the look I’m giving her right now. And when Riley pulls out the night stick and starts walking toward me, twirling it in the air, hips swaying, I cock my head to the side and smirk, waiting for the show that I am one hundred percent participating in to start.

Ben whistles, the sharp noise cutting through the air and gaining some eyes. But mostly everyone except our group is minding their own business.

“Ma’am,” I greet Riley when she stops in front of me, giving her cleavage some attention now that it’s close up before admiring the patch on her vest.

It reads Officer Booty.

“Wow,” I chuckle, looking to the ceiling. “God, I am so glad I committed all those crimes on the way over here. Lock me up now. I won’t fight you, darlin’.”

Holding in a smile, Riley jams her night stick against my chest. “Turn around, and don’t call me that again. I am not your darlin’.”

“Burn!” Reed hollers, earning laughs from the table.

Riley’s cheeks turn red beneath her glasses.

“Are you sure?” I ask, leaning in and putting some pressure on the stick. “’Cause you look exactly like this girl I know. This real sweet little thing.”

Her mouth twitches but she covers it quickly, pursing her lips together. Removing her glasses, she tucks them in her shirt and narrows her crystal blue eyes at me. “If you don’t listen to orders, I’ll cuff you now and drag you out of here.”

“Well there goes my willingness to comply.”

“Turn.” Riley presses the stick firmer against my chest and crowds me. “Around.” Her voice drops lower.

I feel that straight in my dick.

“Yes, ma’am,” I say, winking before I put my back to her.

The girls clap and cheer Riley on behind us, who tries to keep her sweet giggle quiet so she can stay in character, but I hear it.

I meet her eyes over my shoulder, letting her know I’m enjoying this as much as she is.

“Hands flat on the bar.” She kicks my legs apart and presses between my shoulder blades after setting her night stick next to the glasses we drained. “Do it. I have to search you.”

My mouth twitches.

Now, there’s an idea.

I press my hands on the worn wood and look down the bar, watching Nolan dunk his head in a large metal tub and retrieve an apple with his mouth. Hattie cheers him on.

“I have to tell you,” I begin as Riley reaches underneath my arms to pat my chest. “I had three shots of tequila before you got here. Just want to be upfront so you know I’m not trying to hide anything.” I moan when she moves down my stomach, her hands stilling at my belt.

Christ, this is probably not the best time to get hard.

“Did you really?” she asks, leaning around me.

She’s stepping out of character now. This is real—the way she’s looking at me. Those big blue flames burning me up the way they always do.

There she is.

I nod, keeping her eyes.

“Well,” Riley furrows her brow and leans back around behind me. “That was very irresponsible of you. I suspect you were looking to drive yourself home?”

“Nah. I wouldn’t do that.”

She pats down the front of my thighs. “Why did you drink that much?”

“Nerves,” I answer. “Just needed to take the edge off, ya know?”

“’Cause of all those crimes you committed?” she whispers at my shoulder as her hands press the pockets of my jeans. “Are you feeling guilty? Is that why your nerves are shot?”

“No.”

“You should. Breaking a law, or several, isn’t something we take lightly around here.” The fingers of her right hand curl under, taking more of my pocket with them, and grip. “Ah ha,” she says, sounding triumphant.

I blow out the breath I’m holding, grateful for the bar. My body sags into it as a thousand heartbeats fill my chest.

“Well well. What do we have—”

Riley’s voice drops out when she pulls the small black box out of my pocket.

I take one last deep breath before I turn around, watching her study the thing she’s holding like she doesn’t have any idea what it is, or what’s in it.

And that’s definitely not the fucking case.

Every woman knows what’s in that box.

“Wait! That’s my cue.” Reed shoots out of his chair and moves off to the side, phone raised and pointed at us.

I glare at him. “Really?”

He’s fucking filming this?

If I wasn’t already nervous enough . . .

“My mom insisted,” he replies, smirking above his phone. “Whenever you’re ready.”

“Gee. Thanks.”

“Oh my God,” one of the girls whispers, sounding the most like Mia. “He’s proposing.”

“Told you. That’s a winning outfit right there,” Tessa says.

“Reed, make sure you zoom.”

That suggestion comes from Beth.

“I’d like to take care of this today, if everyone’s finished speaking up and ruining the moment.” I sweep my gaze across the table, brows lifted in question. “We good? Anything else?”

“You might wanna kneel,” some guy I don’t even know suggests from the crowd.

I realize then all eyes are on us, on me and what I’m about to do. And looking to Riley, to her sweet face studying that box like it’s the most precious thing she’s ever held in her hands, the tears in her eyes, her head nodding like crazy, already answering the question I have yet to even ask, suddenly, I forget why the fuck I was nervous about this in the first place.

I’m doing this here in front of everyone for a reason.

I’m giving her this moment to look back on and remember who she shared it with, knowing the most important people to Riley are filling this room, and the ones that couldn’t make it will apparently see a video.

This is how I’ve had it planned for the past three months. And that look on her face is why.

I can stand a little attention for that look. It’s worth it.

“Do you wanna open it?” I ask her, my voice carrying like we’re the only ones in the bar now that everyone’s gone quiet. Even the music got turned down at some point. “I was gonna do it, do the whole present it to you thing, but if you—”

Riley quickly shoves the box against my chest and pulls back. “You can do it,” she rushes out, hands knotting together and pressing against her stomach.

I chuckle, watching Riley give me the prettiest smile I think she’s ever given me and cutely shrug her shoulders.

“I’d hate to ruin the moment,” she teases.

“Certainly not.” Clearing my throat, I drop to one knee and look up at her.

Tears start spilling down her face.

“CJ, what are you doing down there?” Nolan asks me.

I lower my head for a breath as collective chuckles fill the room, then looking down the bar, I spot Nolan hanging over the edge, head tilted down and face serious. His mask is off now and his hair is wild. Hattie’s holding on to him so he doesn’t fall onto the floor.

“Asking Ms. Riley to marry me,” I annouce.

At those words, Riley whimpers.

“For real? That’s really what you’re doing?” Nolan questions before pushing up and looking toward the table. “Mom, I gotta do this for Ryan. This is what I’m talking about.”

“For fuck’s sake,” I grunt, keeping my voice low, but Riley hears me and giggles.

I look up at her with pleading eyes.

“Oh, baby. Come here,” Mia urges, sniffling, a steady stream of tears pouring down her face now too. “We’ll talk about it later. Let CJ do his thing.”

“Yes. Everyone please.” Riley stomps her foot and shushes the crowd. “Let my man do his thing,” she says, smiling at me and lifting her chin.

Shaking my head, grinning, already thinking this is the best fucking proposal in the books just going off her reaction alone, I pause, but only to make sure I don’t get interrupted again, before I finally open the box and lift it for her to see.

Riley gasps, hand flying up to her mouth.

“I think you know how crazy I am about you,” I begin, watching the best thing that’s ever happened to me finally pry her eyes off the ring to look into my face. “I don’t think you know how I’ll go out of my mind if I can’t spend every day of my life with you.”

“Aww,” Reed says.

I grit my teeth. “I’m regrettin’ asking your permission.”

“No, you’re not.”

Riley looks shocked. “You asked his permission?”

I nod. “His. Your parents’. I’m suddenly wondering if I need to take a moment and survey the room.”

Riley bursts into laughter, along with the crowd gathered around us. “Please don’t take another minute,” she says. “Oh my God. I’ll die if you don’t ask me soon.”

I smile at her, looking down briefly before meeting her eyes again. “We were always meant for this, darlin’, and for everything that’s coming after this. And there’s a lot coming. I’m telling you—I want it all. Whatever it is. And I want it with you. Will you marry me?”

“Yes!” she shouts, as if she’s been holding that one word in her entire life, just waiting on me so she can say it.

Clapping, cheering, and hollering, the crowd goes nuts around us as I slide the ring on her finger, letting the box fall to the floor. Standing, I pull Riley into my arms and lift her up, kissing her while my hands roam all that black leather.

“Jesus Christ. Please tell me this isn’t a rental,” I say against her smiling lips.

She giggles and kisses me. “It’s all mine. Bought and paid for.”

“Sweetest words I’ve ever heard, second to that yes you just gave me,” I say.

Riley leans back and cups my face, staring into my eyes. “I love you.”

“I love you, darlin’.”

We share another slow, soft kiss before our friends come over to give well wishes, practically trampling us to do just that.

Riley shows off her ring to the girls, the group of them screaming, hugging, and crying. Arms around each other in their little squad—the one Riley couldn’t wait to be a part of.

I can’t stop looking at her. She’s so fucking happy.

The guys congratulate me with slaps on the back and handshakes. Reed tells me he captured it all on his phone, even my tears.

Feeling too good to fucking care, I let that one slide and thank him for doing that for us.

I’m sure Riley will want to watch the video every chance she gets. I tell him to send it to us both, then feeling a tap on my leg, I look down, finally pulling my eyes off Riley and giving Nolan the attention he’s seeking.

I got my entire life to look at her. That’s the only reason I do it.

“What’s up, man?” I ask, smiling at his hair, wet and sticking up all wild. When he waves me closer, I bend down, grinning when I see what he’s holding in his hand.

“Is it okay if I keep this?” he asks.

“Yeah, sure. What do I need it for?”

“Yes!” Nolan pumps his fist into the air, then peers around me, holding up the ring box. “Mommy, look what CJ said I can keep! Now I just need a ring and I’m set!” He rushes around me to show Mia, who walks over with the rest of the girls, smiling and wiping tears from her eyes.

“That’s great, baby,” she says, cupping his cheek before giving me a look of appreciation.

Nolan rushes off toward the apple-bobbing set-up at the bar, squeezing in between people to get through.

Ben throws his arm around Mia’s shoulders and kisses the top of her head. He’s holding Chase now, who’s still passed out. I’m surprised the commotion didn’t wake him.

“This place just got even more awesome,” Tessa says, stopping beside Luke. “You did good, Tully.”

I lock eyes with Riley when she finally pulls her attention off her ring. “Yeah, I did.”

She smiles, rushing at me, and wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me down for a kiss.

“So, when’s the wedding going to be?” Beth asks, leaning back against Reed when he steps behind her and holds her swollen stomach.

I look down at Riley, brow raised. “Your call, darlin’.”

She pulls her lips between her teeth, thinking for a second before informing the group, “Maybe this summer after I graduate? I don’t want to wait too long. And I’d really love to do it at the beach.” Riley peers up at me. “Would that be okay?”

“You wanna do it at Sparrow’s Island?” I ask.

“Hey, that’s our beach,” Reed says.

I glare at him. “You don’t own the beach.”

“I didn’t say we own it.” He rests his chin on Beth’s shoulder, smirking now. “We just . . . made a lot of memories there.”

Beth turns bright red.

“So did we,” I argue, watching Reed stiffen.

Fuck that.

I’m sure Reed and Beth did make a lot of memories at Sparrow’s Island, considering that’s where they spent their wedding/honeymoon, but that’s where Riley and I began. We met for the first time officially that weekend. We fucked for the first time there too, and if that’s where she wants to get married, Reed can take his memories and fuck right off with them. I’m getting that beach.

Riley tenses in my arms while Ben and Luke crack up laughing, watching Reed grow increasingly uncomfortable.

“You guys are funny,” Mia says. “I’m pretty sure we all made a lot of memories there . . .”

All eyes widen and turn to Mia. She never says shit like that.

She shrugs, leaning into Ben and laughing. “I’m just saying. If that’s all it takes—Ben and I own that beach too.”

“Yeah, us too. We own a lot of that beach,” Tessa adds, biting Luke’s jaw.

“Fine,” Reed grumbles, looking around the group. “But Beth and I own McGill’s. We’re the only ones allowed to make memories here. So no couple bathroom breaks, and stay the hell away from the storage room. We own the shit out of that after what went down in there earlier.”

Danny stops behind Reed, glaring at the back of his head.

Everyone tries containing their laughter as Reed stays unaware.

“This is going to be good,” Riley whispers, leaning back against me and drawing my arms around her tighter.

“You wanna see him get his ass beat?” I ask against her ear.

“If it means we get Sparrow’s Island, then yes.”

I chuckle and kiss her cheek.

Realizing something is up, Reed slowly turns his head, spots Danny and smiles wide. “Hey! You know, I was just coming to look for you.” He releases Beth and puts his arm around Danny’s shoulders, leading him away. “Let’s talk about all those renovations you were wanting to do here, and how it’s not gonna cost you a damn thing . . .”

Beth throws her head back and laughs, then everyone joins in.

I guess Tennyson Construction will be footing that bill.

“Come on. Let’s order some food,” Ben suggests, motioning toward the table they left that’s still vacant.

I turn Riley in my arms when the group leaves us in the middle of the dance floor. “You happy?” I ask her.

Beaming, she looks from my face to her ring, letting go of my neck to study it. “You could’ve tied a string around my finger and I would’ve been happy,” she says, gripping hold of me again and smiling up at me, her sinful body tucking closer. “It’s beautiful. It’s so beautiful, and I’m so happy, Cannon.”

Cannon.

Fuck. What it does to me to hear her call me by my real name.

Growling, I let my hands travel lower, settling at the top of her ass. “Don’t be calling me that here,” I say. “Unless you wanna go find out what the fuck is so cool about the storage room.”

Giggling and rolling up on her toes, she offers me her mouth, and I take it in a long, slow kiss, getting rock hard by the end of it.

“Where are we going?” Riley asks, startled, when instead of leading her toward the table and our friends, I pull her in the direction of the door, shoving people out of the way when they aren’t moving fast enough on their own.

“My truck. Your brother didn’t say shit about making memories in the parking lot.”