Page 113 of The Main Event

The trip to Boston had gone off without a ripple. Now that I was in my costume, though, I couldn’t decide if it was a good idea. The blond wig I’d been forced to get—it turned out a rinse wasn’t an option because my hair was too dark, and the sprays left hair way too crusty—felt odd given my black eyebrows. Still, when I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I wasn’t unhappy.

Out of habit, I reached up to straighten my scarf. I’d bought all the pieces I needed because trying to track down a rental seemed like an unnecessary burden. My pants were bright blue. Not denim or pleated. Just simple blue trousers. My shirt was also blue, to match the pants, and the sweater over it was white. The scarf was red.

I looked just like Fred Jones fromScooby-Doo, which was the point. Because if Jesse was right, Daisy was going as Daphne.I wanted everybody to know we were together, even if we hadn’t planned to dress similarly. I wanted it to be a surprise.

I blew out a sigh. The costume wasn’t fussy, which I appreciated. I was still nervous, so I carefully rearranged the black roses I’d bought in the vase I’d placed on the nightstand. There was a big box of Frankenstein chocolates on the bedspread. There was champagne cooling in a bucket. Everything was set.

Tonight was the night. I planned to tell her I’d made up my mind and I wanted to embrace this life with her. It would have to wait until after the party, though—she had enough on her mind—but I figured the celebration would last long into the night.

Or at least that was the hope.

I hummed to myself as I checked the room one more time. Everything was ready. Then I headed downstairs.

The lobby was decked out even more than normal. There were cauldrons, ghosts, bats, and twinkle lights as far as the eye could see. They’d dimmed the main lights. Not so much that anybody would have trouble seeing, but the ambiance was fun.

Behind the front desk, Sheryl was dressed as a vampire. She’d gone all out with the makeup, and her outfit wasn’t low cut but still over the top. Her cape sparkled, though, and it caught the light in a fun way. Next to her, Dave Beeson worked at getting things ready for the party. He was dressed as a giant dog. His costume was furry, and he had a black nose painted on. Under different circumstances, he might’ve looked ridiculous, but for what was coming, I knew the guests would love it.

“Anything to report?” I asked.

Sheryl raised her eyes. It was delight I found reflected back at me. “Did you tell anyone what you were going as?”

I shook my head. “Nope. It’s a surprise.”

“Are you sure?”

I already knew why she was asking. Daisy was already here. She’d texted when she arrived, but said she was going straight to the kitchen. I’d promised to meet her as soon as I could make my way in that direction.

“I’m sure.” I met her steady gaze. “Is there a reason why you’re so invested?”

Sheryl cocked her head. I could practically hear the gears in her mind working. “No,” she said finally, perhaps figuring it wasn’t her place to involve herself. “Have fun. Make sure you find Daisy.”

“Do you think she’s not first on my list?”

“You guys are adorable.” She turned momentarily wistful. “Honestly, I think maybe you were made for each other.”

Two months before, the statement would’ve sent me into hearty guffaws. Now it warmed me. “I think you might be right.”

She winked at me as I turned. I was ready to find Daisy and see what she thought of my costume. Unfortunately, Tammy had infiltrated the space directly behind me, suggesting she’d been listening to the conversation. She was dressed as an angel—a creepy one, although that likely wasn’t on purpose—and the look she pinned me with promised moments of mayhem before I found my girl and embraced the nirvana.

“Anything to report?” I asked. I was determined to keep things civil with Tammy. Even though she’d been afforded a place at the hotel by my grandfather—everybody saying she was “mostly” harmless—I was starting to think that would have to be rectified. I didn’t want to fire her simply because she was creepy. She was becoming a problem, though, and it was one I didn’t want to deal with.

“Your girlfriend is trying to summon the devil,” Tammy replied, not missing a beat.

“And how is she doing that?” If she thought I was going to correct her, or be put off by the term “girlfriend,” I had news forher. I wasn’t running from this. Not any longer. I was embracing it.

“There are Ouija board centerpieces on the tables in the ballroom.”

I waited for her to expand. When she didn’t, I cocked an eyebrow. “And?”

“Everybody knows that Ouija boards are used to call the devil.”

“Aren’t they made by Hasbro?” I asked Sheryl.

She smirked. “I believe Daisy had the ones we’re using specially made. They’re actually fun centerpieces. She went local for them, and we can reuse them.”

“Awesome. I’ll head in and have a sit-down with Captain Howdy as soon as I get a spare minute.”

Tammy’s lips curved into a sneer. “Is that some sort of sex reference?”

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