Page 94 of Daydream

I can see the white halo on her head bobbing through the crowd as she makes her way toward me in the kitchen. Her white dress stops halfway down her thighs, and she has white feathered wings poking out on her back.

“Are you a Quack Efron?” I ask, looking her up and down.

She throws her arms around my neck and kisses me, which catches me off guard more than anything. When she leans back andlooks up at me, I realize that she’s buzzed. She told me earlier that it’s my job not to let her get drunk so she doesn’t turn into a hungover nightmare. It’s a plan I can get on board with. “A duck? I’m an angel!”

Aurora appears behind her dressed in green. “And what are you?” I ask her.

“I’m a Christmas tree, duh.” She motions to her green dress like I was somehow supposed to get that from just looking at her.

“You both look great for a chicken and a plant.” Emilia and Poppy appear behind them with Cami and I try to guess what their outfits are supposed to be before I have to go through this again. “Are you two supposed to be dominoes?”

Emilia snorts, but Poppy, who I assume oversaw costumes judging by her reaction, looks offended. “We’re snow women!”

I finally look at Cami and I want to give up immediately. “Did you get into patchwork quilting during your partying hiatus?”

“I’m clearly Sally fromNightmare Before Christmas.” She folds her arms across her chest. “What are you supposed to be?”

“First of all, that’s a Halloween movie.” I point to the same hat I’ve been wearing for three Christmases. “And I’m obviously Santa.”

The five of them stare at me with the same expression, but I can’t place what it is. Respect, maybe? Awe and wonder? Halle’s arms leave my neck and travel down my body until she reaches the hem of my shirt and pulls it out. “You’re not even wearing a costume.”

I shrug. “I’m an undercover Santa. I’m checking if the information I have on my list is correct—or something.”

“You’re Santa’s auditor.” Aurora’s head shakes slowly. “Unbelievable and yet so on brand. Props to you for your consistent dedication to the bare minimum.”

“I go above and beyond where it matters.”

“So I’ve heard, lover boy,” she says, and Halle slowly turns to look at her.

I look across the five of them. “Did nobody think to be the Spice Girls? Well, Christmas Spice Girls?”

“How onearthdo you know who the Spice Girls are?” Aurora says, shaking her head.

I think she’s irritated I saw the resemblance when she didn’t. I don’t know how they missed it, considering they all fit the bill perfectly. “I played with JJ for two years. You don’t make it out of that experience without knowing who the Spice Girls are.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? That would’ve been such a good outfit.”

“I can’t do everything for you, Aurora. I was busy coming up with my own outfit. At least you have something for Halloween now. Which is lucky, since Cami is already wearing her Halloween outfit.”

“You’re not even wearing a costu— No. Never mind,” Aurora says, interrupting herself. “Y’know what, it’s Christmas. I’m not letting you get a rise out of me for your own amusement. I’m going to find my boyfriend because I bet he can tell I’m a tree.”

“He’s in the den,” I say, nodding toward the adjoining room. “He’s also an undercover Santa.”

“Uh, not if I have anything to do with it,” she says as she walks off.

I explain the drinks situation and try to reassure the rest of them that they’ll have a good, safe time. Emilia, Poppy, and Cami thank me and follow Aurora to the den, leaving me alone with Halle.

“You look beautiful,” I tell her. “The most beautiful swan I’ve ever seen.”

She pins me with a look as she shuffles her wings. “Oh, so I’m a swan now? I wanted to be a donkey, but I wasn’t allowed.Apparently, a donkey wouldn’t make you fall to your knees and be overcome with desire. Because that’s something that’s important.”

“Aurora says weird stuff sometimes.”

“Oh, it wasn’t Aurora. It was Jaiden. He called Emilia while I was there and wanted to know what my outfit was.”

Her eyes flutter closed as I run my finger beneath where hercheekbones are shimmering under the lights and tuck her hair behind her ear. Something I do because I like to hear the way she tries to steady her breathing when I touch her unexpectedly. “We should really have a rule about listening to JJ about anything.”

She looks down at her dress then back up at me innocently. “I guess you’re right. It definitely didn’t make you fall to your knees.”

---