A hard body lands on top of mine and I’m jerked awake. Panic sets in, but only for a second once I hear the feminine giggle coming from on top of me. My eyes open and I peer up into a disfigured wolf face staring down at me. “That’s nasty,” I say sleepily, squeezing its snout.

Erin reaches up and jerks the mask off. “I know, right, but I wanted to scare you. And you’re not scared.”

Erin lives in the apartment next to mine, but she has a key and pretty much welcomes herself into my home whenever she feels like it. Most mornings she’s here, drinking my coffee, before I’m even awake. I wouldn’t have it any other way, though. Her roommate drives her crazy, and I know my place feels more like home to her. Plus, I like the company.

I laugh. “I’m terrified. Really.”

“I could have been anyone, you know?”

“Your giggling gave it all away.”

She laughs and rolls off me. “Happy Halloween.”

I roll my eyes and laugh again. “Why are you waking me up early, when I had a late night?”

She rolls to her side and looks at me. “That’s exactly why. I need all the juicy details. I couldn’t wait. So. Tell them to me. Tell me all the details. Do not leave anything out. You know I can tell when you’re lying.”

I stretch and groan. What time is it? I glance at my bedside table. Eight a.m. Way too early. I could have gotten a few more hours in before I had to head in for the Halloween party.

“Let me get coffee, then I’ll tell you.”

I roll out of bed, and Erin follows me. “It mustn’t have been that great, if he’s not still here.”

“Last time I checked, it’s not proper to sleep with someone upon meeting them.”

She huffs. “Don’t be so dramatic.”

I reach the kitchen and flick the coffee machine on. “I do have some morals, as tempting as it was.”

“So,” she says, clapping her hands. “How far did he go? First base? Second? A sneaky third?”

I smirk at her, and throw some sugar into the mug while I wait for the coffee to brew. “We didn’t even kiss. Calm down.”

She pouts, exhales dramatically, and then says, “Well, what did you do then?”

“He dropped me off here, and came in for some tea.”

She blinks. “Please tell me tea is code for a little bit of you . . .”

“No. Tea is code for tea. We had tea and talked.”

“Oh my God,” she says dramatically. “My grandma has a more exciting love life than you.”

I laugh. “Your grandma is an animal. He did ask me out, though . . .”

“He did!” she squeals.

“Yeah. It was nice. He wasn’t sleazy. It felt good.”

Erin sighs. “How romantic. Did he text you?”

I remember I gave him my number, and rush off to the room to grab my phone, checking it. Sure enough, there is a text message on my screen. I must have fallen asleep before it came through.

I had a good night. Thanks for the tea. See you tomorrow.

I smile stupidly and walk back out. Erin takes one look at my smile and claps her hands again. “Oh, he texted you all right.”

“Yes he did.”

“Are you going to respond? What are you going to say?”

“You know”—I give her a look—“if you were a dog, all I’d hear is yap yap yap. Settle down, I’m thinking.”

She rolls her eyes. “What are you going to wear tonight?”

“Something spooky.”

“Something sexy spooky though, right?”

“Yes, Erin,” I laugh. “Any ideas?”

“A sexy witch?”

“Been done.” I frown.

“A sexy ghost? You could wear this see-through white garment . . .”

I roll my eyes. “No. I’m thinking of a dark fairy.”

“Oh, I like it. All dark and twisty, yet sexy at the same time.”

“Yeah, I have an old costume, I think I’ll go with that.”

“Does this costume have a short dress?”

“Actually, it does.”

“Then you’re wearing it!”

I finish making my coffee, and then make her one, sliding it over before taking a well-earned sip of mine. It goes down smooth, and I groan with happiness. Erin is too much to deal with before coffee.

“I have to get to work,” she says, after finishing hers. “Wear something sexy and then come back and tell me everything. Leave nothing out. I mean it.”

I smile, and hug her. “I won’t leave anything out.”

When she’s gone, I look down at my phone and think about what to text Oliver. I want to do the right thing and reply, but I don’t want to come across as desperate, or needy, or even too full-on. I think about it, and just go with something simple.

I got your message. Thank you. I hope you got home safely last night. Thanks again for the ride.

He responds a moment later.

You’re welcome. See you today?

Grinning like an idiot, I reply.

Yup, just getting ready now. It’s going to be a big day.

Yeah, it is. I’m already here. See you soon.

Knowing he’s already there has my butt hustling to get ready. I quickly take a shower, get dressed in a pair of jeans and a tank, throw my hair into a ponytail, get my costume for later, and then start making my way to work.

I’m excited for today.

Mostly, I’m excited to see him.

And I haven’t felt this way in a long time.