Page 64 of More Than a Little Spark

Fred cocks his head.“I’m not sure I want to know what y’all are talking about.”

Carson laughs.“The night I rescued Daphne, we were both headed to a costume party, and she was dressed as Daphne.”

“Daphne Blake?Like the character?”Looking at me, Fred points at the screen.

With an arm draped over my shoulders, Carson brushes a thumb along my arm.

It’s been almost a year since that night, and in all that time, I haven’t thought about the character’s last name.“Yes.I had a full costume.Red wig, purple dress.All of it.”

“Cool.”Fred shifts sideways and hangs his legs over the arm of the chair.“Ready?”

Carson and I nod, and the movie starts.But through the whole movie, part of my brain is thinking about the coincidence of the name and wondering if asking Carson to do a couple’s costume for Rose’s second annual party is pushing things.

The movie ends, and Fred slides out of the chair.“I told Mason that I’d go fishing with him really early, so I’m going to take a shower and go to bed.”

“Night.”I’m thankful for the new ease in the relationship with Fred, but I’m still working on figuring out how much to say and when to keep my mouth shut.

Carson drops a kiss on my temple before standing.“I’m going to chat with him for a moment.Be right back.”

They disappear down the hall, and I wait.

I shoot off a text to Rose.

Me:Tonight was our third movie night.Fred chose Scooby Doo.Now I’m thinking about the party.

Rose:Y’all are coming, right?

Me:I think so.We haven’t really discussed it.

Rose:Then discuss it already!

Rose:Dallas and I are doing another couple’s costume this year.He’s going to be Woody the cowboy.And I’m trying to decide between being Little Bo Peep and Jesse, the cowgirl.

Me:Bo Peep for sure.You’ll rock a dress like that.

Rose:What are y’all coming as?

Me:Not sure.I’ll ask him about the party in a bit.

Rose sends a thumbs-up, and I tuck my phone away when Carson comes back into the living room.

He sits down beside me.“I wanted to make sure he didn’t hurry off because he thought we wanted to be alone.”

“I hope he doesn’t think that.I’m enjoying our movie nights.And getting to know him more.”

A smile brightens Carson’s expression.“Well, he didn’t leave because of that.He just has more sense than I did at the same age.And he’s going to bed early because of the fishing.”

“Good.I don’t ever want him to feel run off.”I shift.“Rose’s party is coming up soon.Do you want to go?”

He nods.“I do.We’ll need costumes.”

“I have an idea.You could grow out your mustache and go as Magnum PI again.And I could wear my hair up, slap on a fake mustache, and put on a suit.We’d be Magnum and Higgins.”

Carson snorts out a laugh.“Funny, but let’s hang onto that idea for next year.How about I get you a new Daphne costume?And I’ll go as Fred.Think I’ll look good in an ascot?”He laces his fingers with mine.“Originally, I was going to dress up as Scooby, but since Daphne and Fred were kind of sweet on each other, I changed my mind.”

“I love that idea.But I can buy my own Daphne costume.”

“Ok then.It’s a date.”He pulls my hand to his lips.“I like these nights where we all spend the evening together.”

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