Page 118 of Old Habits

“Finish hanging the streamers...”

She flicks her pen again. “Almost check!”

“Did you talk to Lucky about donating ice?”

“This morning.” She nods, checking it off. “She’s having twenty bags dropped off an hour before the dance.”

“Will that be enough?”

“That was more than enough last year but the RSVPs this year are crazy,” she says.

I shrug. “People must love USO stuff.”

“Oh, it’s not the theme. People are freaking out because word kinda sorta got out that there’s going to be a band. Pretty sure the last instrument played around here was the organ at Maude Granger’s funeral last summer.” She nudges my ribs again. “You may just be the cupid who saved Valentine’s, Jovie.”

“Really?” I ask, letting my grin take over.

“Or they just want to see in person how badly the committee will screw up now that you’re on board. It’s a real toss-up.”

My smile fades. “Yeah, that’s equally as probable.”

“I’m kidding.” She chuckles for a second, then stops. “Sort of.”

I trim another piece of ribbon and set the scissors down. “Okay, the band, streamers, ice… that just leaves pulling the last few tables out of the storage room beneath the stairwell and…” I groan, “finding myself a dress.”

“And shoes!” She points a finger at me. “Never neglect the footwear.”

“Okay, that just leaves tables, a dress, and shoes.”

She flashes a wink. “And when are you squeezing in the quickie?”

I blink. “The what?”

Two thick arms wrap around me from behind.

I yelp as my toes dangle several inches off the floor and my heart leaps from the sudden upward motion. I twist my head around to see his handsome face grinning at me and my pulse relaxes.

“Will, what are you doing?” I ask, my voice echoing across the gym.

He sets me back down but holds me close to kiss my cheek. “Five-thirty, right?” he asks. “We need to swing by your dad’s house for your stuff before he gets off his weekend shift.”

“Oh, right…” I glance at the unfinished decorations. “We’re actually really swamped here. May have to do it some other time.”

“Jove, either we pick up more of your clothes tonight or you have to learn how to use my washing machine,” he says.

I shudder. “You mean it’s not just a big vibrating house that’s fun to sit on?”

He smirks. “Not always.”

“Boo.” I pout. “Well, if anyone can make fabric softener seem sexy, it’s you.”

“Oh, just wait until I teach you about bleach. It’ll drive you crazy.”

I laugh and reach for the scissors across the table but Natalie snatches them first.

“Go,” she says, nodding toward the exit. “Claudia and I will finish hanging the streamers.”

“You sure?” I ask.

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