Page 77 of Choosing You

“Costumes, huh? I haven’t really dressed up in years!”

“Any chance I can convince you to do the sexy nurse thing?” he asked with a lecherous grin.

Sloane laughed at him, playfully shoving his shoulder. “Um…no. We’ll have to think about this one. So what exactly happens for this to take an entire weekend? And what if Halloween doesn’t even fall on the weekend?”

“We do the festival the weekend before and then the kids get double the candy and get to wear their costumes more than once. It’s awesome.”

“And it’s just the same stuff each day for three days?”

“Not really. Friday night kicks everything off with the hayrides and pumpkin picking. There’s usually live music and some vendors are out. They set it all up on the elementary school side of the field where Meet in the Streets was. Saturday is when the carnival opens—on the middle school side of the field—and the big, haunted house. That’s always fun. Then there are a ton of food vendors and pumpkin carving contests. The little kids paint their pumpkins, and everyone gets a prize.”

“So far I’m seeing the appeal of it. Go on…”

“Saturday night there’s typically an outdoor laser tag or paintball competition. The last few years we’ve done laser tag, but I seem to recall someone mentioning we might switch to paintball this year. That one’s gonna get messy.”

“I’ll probably just be a spectator for that one—no offense.”

“None taken. I have a feeling a lot of people are going to enjoy being spectators.”

“And then what? What’s the plan for Sunday?”

“Sunday is the Boo Bash inside the middle school gymnasium. They have hot cider and candied apples. People go bobbing for apples. There are contests for the best costume and the best jack-o'-lantern. And, of course, a last round of rides and a trip through the haunted house!”

“Ooh…sounds creepy,” she teased.

“You’ll love it, trust me.”

“I’m sure I will. I can’t wait to see Layla in a teeny tiny costume. It’s going to be so adorable!”

He nodded. “But we know how to throw an awesome festival no matter what the occasion, so I have no doubt that this will be any different. It will be better, though, because you’ll be there with me this year!”

And he couldn’t wait.

They talked about their favorite fall activities, costume ideas, and some of the funniest things he’d witnessed at festivals in the past. But when they exhausted that topic, he really wanted to get back to talking about them and their future.

“I’m supposed to fly home tonight, but I can totally change my flight to tomorrow morning. I know it’s not giving us a whole lot of extra time, but I like the thought of one more night tangled up together in bed.”

“Mmm…I like that too. I just don’t want you to have to pay to change your flight or have your day at work tomorrow messed up.”

“I’d go right to work from the airport and stay late to make up the time if I need to. And I already checked and there are no fees if I change flights. So just say the word and I’m yours until tomorrow morning.”

“The word,” she said with a wink.

Pulling out his phone, he changed his flight and waited to get the email confirmation before he could relax. Once he did, he turned off his phone and led her back to the bedroom.

“We don’t have to come back here yet,” she told him sweetly. “We have the rest of the day and all night.”

Will tugged her in close. “Yeah, but this is what I want more than anything. And then when I have you all satisfied and in my arms, we can start making plans for the future.”

“Mmm…I like how that sounds.”

“Me too. And I already have ideas,” he said, kissing along her jaw. “Lots and lots of ideas.”

She hummed again. “And I can’t wait to hear all of them. Later.”

Before he could respond, she pressed her lips to his and kissed him until they were both breathless. After that, they were on the bed and Will did everything he could to make sure his girl was thoroughly satisfied because he truly did have plans for them, and he hoped she’d be agreeable to them.

ChapterThirteen

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