Page 96 of Suck My Puck

Bella steps into a pair of sky-high red heels. She walks up to me and slides her hands up my chest. With those shoes, she’s still shorter than me, but she doesn’t have to tip-toe up to kiss me.

I drop a kiss to her smiling, lush mouth.

“Tempting,” she murmurs. “But we promised your teammates and friends that we’d show up tonight.”

“Fine,” I groan. “But the second we’re back home, I’m ripping that dress off you and taking you to bed.”

She winks at me. “Can’t wait.”

When we walk into the door of Del and Ingrid’s house, dance music hits us in the face.

Bella scans the space, her eyes wide. “Wow. This looks like something out of a Pinterest board.”

“Yeah, Ingrid’s really good at decorating.”

The remodeled craftsman-style house that Del and Ingrid just moved into is covered in Halloween decorations. There’s a cluster of pumpkins spray painted gold in the foyer. Fake cobwebs dangle from the ceiling. When we walk into the living room, skeletons are posed everywhere. Two are against the wall flashing peace signs. One’s sittingon the couch holding a beer can. Another is propped up against the white marble kitchen island dressed like a mummy.

“This is so cool.” Bella laughs as she points to a giant fake spider and bat in the corner.

“They really went all out.” I take Bella by the hand and guide her through the crowd of people drinking and chatting.

“You guys made it!” Ingrid runs up to us and hugs Bella. “Oh my god, you look amazing!”

“She does, doesn’t she?” I say.

Bella’s cheeks are rosy as she smiles at me. She turns back to Ingrid.

“Jessica Rabbit! I love it!” Ingrid says before turning to me and hugging me. “And that makes you Roger Rabbit, right?”

I shrug. “I guess. I’m just happy to be with Jessica.”

Ingrid laughs. She’s dressed in a slinky black gown. Her normally blonde hair is brown and styled in soft waves, similar to Bella’s hair.

“Did you dye your hair for your costume?” I ask. “That’s commitment.”

Ingrid smiles. “No, it’s a wig.” I notice there’s a long slit in her gown, revealing a garter that’s holding a small pink water gun.

I nod at the pink toy. “You’re packing tonight, huh?”

Ingrid laughs. “Definitely.” She looks between Bella and me. “Can you guess what I am?”

We both shake our heads. Del walks over and greets us. When I see he’s wearing a black suit and tie and holding the same small pink toy gun, I frown, confused.

“I still don’t get it,” I say.

Bella squints at him, then her eyes go wide and she snaps her fingers. “Mr. And Mrs.Smith!”

Ingrid squeals, “Yes!” while Del nods.

He hands me a glass of Scotch. I tell him thanks and take a swig. Ingrid offers to grab Bella a drink, so they head off to the kitchen, where there are dozens of wine bottles and liquor bottles lined up on the island.

We talk for a minute before someone hits me in the shoulder. I turn and see Xander grinning at me.

“Hey. Nice costume.” He chuckles.

I roll my eyes. “It was Bella’s idea.”

“I bet. Jessica Rabbit and Roger Rabbit. Clever.”

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