Page 55 of Dance with Me on New Year's Eve

Mari rolled her eyes and turned to me. “Terry was dressed as a pinecone, and Hazel never let go of it.”

Hazel just smiled at us both. “It’s up to you, Roxy. I hope to see you there.”

I wrestled with how to respond. I had to say no—it was bad enough they’d be expecting me to go to the Christmas party in two months. I was usually good at coming up with excuses to avoid social gatherings, but I felt like I’d been laid bare this morning. My self-defenses were lowered, destroyed even.

“Uh, I don’t know.”

Mari gave me a knowing smile. “Fair enough. Don’t pressure her, Haz. Then she definitely won’t come.”

I forced my lips to curve into a smile. “We’ll see. I appreciate the offer.”

I’d think of a way out of the party—I always did.

But she signed me up for the social meetup group. Maybe I should actually do that. I didn’t want to be lonely forever. What was stopping me?

Chapter 13

The rain pelted against the windows as I ripped open a bag of assorted Halloween candy I’d bought earlier today. Since it was October 31, it was literally the last one sitting on the table at the convenience store. My fragile heart almost cried with joy.

But maybe I wasn’t actually fragile. It had been over a week since the exhausting coffee date with my bosses, who were apparently my friends now. My everyday life wasn’t any different … it’s not like they were adding me to a group chat or anything. But I’d felt lighter. Freer. Awkward, of course, but a lighter kind that could almost be shrugged off on the better days. Something had shifted, even if it was small. I’d take it.

I had already decided to curl up on the couch and watch a movie tonight since Danny told me he’d be offline tonight. The rain actually made it feel even cozier as I pulled on the fluffy blanket I always used on rainy or cold days. I’d stuffed two mini-size Snickers in my mouth before I heard it.

Ring, ring.

I froze mid-chew.

Had I forgotten to turn off the porch light?

Or, worse, was someone coming to visit?

I lay still as a board on the couch, hoping they’d go away if I made no sound.

But then I heard voices. And another ring of the doorbell. I cursed myself again for not installing a doorbell camera or, better yet, paying a little extra for the apartments above mine without an exterior door. You couldn’t even unlock them fromthe outside, so it wasn’t really a convenience in any way. Surely the upstairs tenants didn’t have to deal with trick-or-treaters.

Finally, I dragged myself off the couch and ambled over to the door. Sure enough, I’d left the porch light on. I groaned and looked through the peephole.

I nearly fell backward when I saw the familiar face.

What washedoing here?

I swung the door open, knowing with his stubbornness, he wasn’t likely to go away easily.

“Boo!” Lila jumped out of the shadows to the side, and I nearly jumped with fright in turn.

“Lila! Jeff …” I trailed off, pausing to catch my breath and put a hand on my chest as I saw Jeff clad in a dark raincoat and Lila holding an umbrella over her witch costume. “Wha-what are you doing here?”

Jeff raised an eyebrow, but before he could speak, Lila held out her pumpkin bucket. “Trick or treat!”

“Oh, right. Um, happy Halloween!” I said, feigning enthusiasm. “Did I leave my porch light on? I’m actually not giving out candy this year.”

Lila gasped, her face stricken. “Why not?”

My eyes shifted to her father and then back to her. “It’s just not my thing. I tried it a few years ago, but …”

Finally, Jeff spoke up. “It’s fine. I promise we’re not stalking you, Roxanne. Lila just likes to be thorough and get as much candy as humanly possible.” He paused and looked down at her. “Should we stop at the dentist’s house too?”

She looked even more horrified now. “No way!”

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