Page 97 of Suck My Puck

I frown at the black Jack Daniels t-shirt he’s wearing. He’s got on jeans and cowboy boots too. “What are you supposed to be?”

He tips the cowboy hat on his head before nodding at Sophie, who’s standing across the room, talking to Alanna from PR.

Sophie’s wearing a strapless red dress that hits just below her knees and red heels. When she turns slightly, I see the Coca-Cola logo across the front.

“We’re whiskey and Coke,” Xander says proudly.

I chuckle. “That’s pretty creative. Way to go.”

Xander takes off his hat and runs a hand through his hair. “It was all her idea. She’s the brains behind this whole thing.”

“No surprise there,” Del says. Xander elbows him, which gets Del to crack a smile.

“It’s Halloweeeeen!” someone shouts.

We all turn around to the front door and see Theo walking in while carrying a twelve-pack of beer.

All three of us stare at him, wide-eyed as he walks over to us.

“Um, dude.”

“Uh…”

“What the hell are you supposed to be?”

We all speak at once. Theo just stands there, flashing his trademark cocky pretty boy smile. He’s wearing a headband with black velvet bunny ears, a black one-piece women’s swimsuit, fishnet tights, and black boots.

“I’m a Playboy bunny,” he says proudly before nodding at me. “Hey, we kinda match.”

I burst out laughing. “I guess we do.”

Xander pats his shoulder. “I admire how you fully committed to the costume.”

Del looks at him for a long second, like he’s both surprised and dazed. “Yeah. Wow, dude.”

Maya runs over and kisses Theo. She’s wearing a long, maroon smoking jacket, silky pajama pants, and slippers. Her black hair is pulled back into a ponytail and she’s holding a wooden tobacco pipe.

Theo slides his arm around her and pulls her against him. “Hugh Heffner and his favorite bunny,” he says.

We all laugh. The sound of Ingrid shriek laughing cuts through the music.

“Oh my god!” She runs up to Theo and Maya. “Okay, you guys win. Best couples costume of the night!” she announces to the party. Everyone cheers.

“What do we win?” Maya asks.

“The most expensive bottle of champagne that I have in the house. Here, let’s go get it.”

Before she and Maya run off, Ingrid turns and takes a photo of all of us.

“That will be going on the Bashers’ Instagram account,” she says before she and Maya run off.

Theo, Xander, Del, and I stand around, chuckling.

“We’ve never looked so stupid,” I say.

Del frowns. “Speak for yourself. I look great in this suit.”

“And I look amazing,” Theo says. “You’re just jealous.”

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