Page 16 of Along Comes Trouble

TESSA

I stareat my reflection in the mirror as I wiggle a long, white wig with intricate braids into place. “You have no idea how cool this looks,” I say to my friend Ellie from back home in Bliss .

“I can imagine.” Through the speakerphone, her voice sounds a million miles away, but it’s better than nothing. I’ve missed her more than I had realized. “You never do things halfway and costumes are kind of your wheelhouse .”

“I really am a giant child, aren’t I ?”

“If giant children are highly organized, driven, and focused on the future, then sure. That’s totally you.” Ellie laughs. “Although, when it comes to Halloween? Yeah. You’re worse than a child. Heaven help you when you have kids of your own.” Tiny voices break through from the background, Ellie’s children .

“Are Sophia and Aiden getting excited for trick or treat ?”

“You have no idea. They are so amped up, they don’t even seem like my sweet little kids anymore. James is in full blown Super Dad mode, so busy being fun, it’s like I have three kids instead of two. And one of them is very big and extra stubborn.” Ellie sighs, but I can hear the smile in her voice. “We’re going to meet his family at his parents’ house and then we’re all going out together .”

“All of you?” I pause in my wig arranging to do a quick head count. “That’s a lot of people .”

“And so many children.” Ellie laughs. “But it’ll be fun. For the kids, anyway .”

“Oh, come on. It’ll be fun for you, too. All those people, all of them family? How can you not love that ?”

“You’re romanticizing it. I promise. Not every family is as spectacular as yours .”

“You’re just being obstinate. Your in-laws are amazing and you know it.” I step back and appraise the final results just as the doorbell rings downstairs. “Well, my ride’s here,” I say to my friend. “I miss the hell outta you .”

“Likewise. Have fun. And send pics. And call more !”

“You sound so much like a mom,” I say, laughing, before I end the call and practically skip down the stairs to throw open the door for Sarah, who’s wearing a bright orange, shoulder-length wig, dark eyeliner, skintight gold pants, a white crop top, and orange suspenders. “Wow! Look at you !”

“Multipass!” Sarah cocks her hip and holds up a laminated card .

“Oh my gosh!” I exclaim. “What’s the name of the movie?” I hold open the door and gesture for her to come in .

“The Fifth Element . Only the greatest movie of all time .”

“That’s right. You’re Leeloo, aren’t you? Although we might have to agree to disagree on it being the greatest movie of all time .”

“Whatever. TheFifth Element rocks. And look at you. You look magnificent, Your Grace.” Sarah dips her chin and drops into a surprisingly elegant curtsey .

“Let me get my keys,” I say, still laughing. If I was worried about tonight being boring, Sarah’s enthusiasm and attention to detail with her costume has gone a long way to assuage those fears. Apparently, we share a love of dressing up and being silly .

She pouts. “Why drive separately when we could drive together? It’ll be more fun if we can talk on the way there and make fun of people on the way home.” Sarah wraps her arm around my shoulder. “Come on, darling. You know you want to .”

“Of course I want to, but I still need my keys, silly.” I swipe my purse and Colton’s sweatshirt off the table near the door and step outside. Tiny drops of rain pelt my skin, infrequent, but so cold they’re almost sharp .

Sarah waggles her eyebrows as she waits for me to lock up. “Your chariot awaits, Your Grace.” She hauls open the passenger door on her beat up Hyundai, bending low in another exaggerated bow .

The drive to Smitty’s ends before I know it. Sarah and I tumble out of her car, already drunk on hilarity. We push through the door into the crowded bar, throbbing music and raucous conversation spilling onto the sidewalk behind us. We’re not two steps into the place when Sarah runs into a couple she seems to know well .

“Tessa,” she says with a smile. “This is my friend Kate and her husband Matt. Guys, this is Tessa .”

“It’s a pleasure.” I smile at the couple who nod at me and then engage Sarah in conversation. My attention wanders as they talk and I scan the bar, taking in the costumes and atmosphere, feeling more and more like the third wheel, even though there are four of us standing here. A tap on my shoulder captures my attention and I turn, shifting Colton’s sweatshirt from one hand to the other .

“Moon of my life.” The voice is familiar, but the face is jaw-dropping. Dark eyes rimmed in dark eyeliner, a black wig gathered in a pony tail that cascades down his back. His bare chest every bit as muscular as the character he’s pretending to be .

“Colton?” I take a step back and let my gaze wander over his body. His costume couldn’t be more spot on and, oh my stars, does he look good .

He holds out his hands and glances at his bare torso. “None other.” He smiles wickedly and I’m done for .

The muscles .

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