Page 4 of A Very Grumpy Halloween

“Then I'll cause a scene, and you'll drag the guy out back and scare him off,” he says, and I smile.

I knew I liked this guy.

I set another beer down in front of him and grin.

“On the house.”

He shakes his head at me, and I look back at my girl.

Maple is staring right at me, and my heart takes off like a shot as I hold her gaze.

“Shit. She’s coming over here,” I whisper, and Nolan rolls his eyes.

“Jesus, I can see now why you’re still single,” he says, and I flip him off without looking at him.

I can’t seem to pull my eyes away from Maple. I watch as she takes a deep breath and then heads my way. The gentle sway of her hips is mesmerizing, and my mouth waters at the sight of all of her curves. She walks right towards me, and by the time she reaches the bar, my hands are sweaty, and my heart is beating out of control in my chest.

I stand up straighter as she leans over the bar slightly.

“When are you off?” She asks me, and I almost pinch myself to check that I’m not dreaming.

“Uh…” I say eloquently as I glance at my watch. “Two more hours.”

She nods, and I bite my tongue before I can ask what’s happening here and ruin the moment.

“Do you want to sleep with me?” She blurts, and my knees give out.

I catch myself on the bar before I can make a total fool of myself by knocking myself unconscious and stare at her in shock.

“Yes!”

“Smooth,” I hear Nolan groan, and I cringe inwardly.

I have no idea what’s happening here, but I don’t want to stop it. For some reason, Maple finally seems to be on the same page as me and I don’t want to do anything to change it.

Maple nods once and then backs up a step.

“Tonight, then. After you get off.”

She reaches into her purse and passes me a slip of paper. I glance down at her address and almost tell her that I don’t need this. I’ve known where Maple lived since she moved to town. I bite my tongue, though, and just nod.

“See you soon,” she says, and then she turns and disappears into the crowd.

I watch her go until she leaves the bar and then look over at Nolan.

“What the fuck was that?” He asks me, echoing my own thoughts.

“I have no idea.”

But I’m going to find out.

THREE

Maple

I had been soexcited when I first walked into the bar and approached Ryder. It felt like my old confident self, but now that I’m back home, I’m panicking.

Why did I think this was a good idea?I think as I pour myself a glass of wine and take a healthy swig.

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