Page 24 of A Very Grumpy Halloween

He unzips the bag, revealing a ridiculously detailed pirate costume—complete with a hat, eye patch, and boots. I can’t help but burst out laughing.

“You’re... you’re going to wear that?” I ask between giggles.

Ryder grins. “I told you I don’t usually dress up, but for you? I’d wear anything.”

The sincerity in his voice makes my heart swell. He really would do anything for me.

“You’re going to be the hottest pirate at the party,” I tease, stepping closer and running my fingers over the costume. “You’re really doing this for me?”

“I’d do anything for you,” he says, his voice low and serious again. “I told you, Maple. I’m all in. I’ve been in love with you for longer than you know, and I’m not going anywhere. Ever.”

His words send a shiver down my spine, and before I know it, I’m kissing him again.

This time, there’s no hesitation, no holding back. I push him against the wall, my hands fumbling with the buttons on his shirt as his fingers slip under my sweater, caressing the skin of my back.

“Maple,” he groans as I press my body against his, my hips grinding against his in a way that makes us both gasp.

“We don’t have much time,” I whisper, my voice shaky as I tug his shirt open. “I have to get ready for the party.”

“Then we’ll make it quick,” he mutters, his voice rough with need.

Before I can respond, he’s lifting me up, my legs wrapping around his waist as he carries me to the kitchen counter. He sets me down, his hands gripping my thighs as he kisses me like he can’t get enough. His lips move down my neck, and I arch into him, my mind spinning with how fast everything is happening—but I don’t care. I want him. I need him.

Our clothes come off in a blur of heat and desperation, and before I know it, he’s inside me. The world tilts on its axis as we move together, fast and frantic, the need between us too intense to slow down.

“I love you,” he whispers against my lips as we reach the edge together, his voice filled with emotion. “God, I love you so much, Maple.”

“I love you too,” I gasp, my fingers gripping his shoulders as waves of pleasure crash over me.

When it’s over, we stay like that for a moment, tangled together, our breathing ragged and uneven. I rest my forehead against his, trying to catch my breath as my heart races from more than just the physical.

Ryder pulls back just enough to look at me, a satisfied grin on his face. “You’re moving in with me.”

I blink, still trying to process everything that just happened. “Wait, what?”

“You’re moving in,” he repeats, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I don’t want you going back to that apartment anymore. You’re mine, Maple. You belong here, with me.”

I stare at him, my heart pounding in my chest. “Ryder, we can’t just?—”

“Yes, we can,” he says, his voice firm but filled with love. “We love each other, right? So why waste time? Move in with me. Let’s start our life together.”

My mind races, a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions spinning in every direction. Moving in together? It seems fast—too fast, really—but when I look into Ryder’s eyes, filled with sincerity and love, I can’t bring myself to argue.

“Are you serious?” I ask, my voice soft but unsteady. “I mean, we haven’t even been dating for that long.”

Ryder chuckles, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “We’ve been on two dates, Maple, and I can’t wait to take you on a million more. I want to spend every moment we can together. I love you. And if you feel the same, there’s no reason to keep waiting. I want you here with me.”

I bite my lip, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. It’s such a big step. Moving in together feels monumental, like stepping off a cliff without knowing if there’s a net to catch you. But the way he’s looking at me, with those steady, honest eyes, makes me feel safe, like I’ve already fallen—and maybe heisthe net.

“I don’t even have that much stuff,” I joke, trying to lighten the moment, but the truth is, I’m terrified. Terrified of making the wrong decision, of getting hurt, of losing what’s already been built between us.

Ryder smiles, his thumb tracing over my bottom lip. “Then it’ll be easy. Just a few boxes and your heart, and we’ll be good to go.”

His words make me laugh, the tension in my chest easing just a little. I think about my tiny apartment above the hardware store, the creaky floors, and the drafty windows. It’s not much, and it never really felt like home—not the way being here with Ryder feels. There’s something about being in his space, with him, that feels like everything I’ve been missing. Safety, warmth, belonging.

“Okay,” I whisper, the word slipping out before I’ve even fully processed it. “Okay, I’ll move in.”

Ryder’s face lights up, his grin so wide it’s contagious. He pulls me in for another kiss, this one slower, deeper, like he’s savoring the moment. When we finally pull apart, he rests his forehead against mine, his arms still wrapped securely around me.

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