Page 16 of Bony Bony
Halloweenwas my favorite time of year—except for the traffic.TouristsswarmedSalemduring the entire month ofOctober.
Kyliefilled a glass with draft beer. “True.We’vegot a while to go untilHalloween.”
Right.Ifrowned.Itwas onlyMay.
“Whywait?”Ichimed, turning my hand palm up.
“Whatdo you mean?”Kyliehanded the beer to the guy at the bar and took his cash.
“Ifpeople can celebrateChristmasinJuly, we can celebrateHalloweeninMay.”
KylieandEddieexchanged a look beforeKyliesaid, “Butthe season is off.Wedon’t even have all the colors outside for aNewEnglandfall.”
Idismissed that excuse with a wave. “Wecan add all the flourish in here to make the pumpkin spice sluts happy—of whichIproudly identify as.”Ileaned forward in a mock bow. “Whowouldn’t be with all the spooky drinks and delicious scents and flavors?Applecider, cinnamon, and more pumpkin spice.”Iclapped my hands together with glee. “Wecan call it aHalfwaytoHalloweenparty!”
Thesong faded out with its triumphant sound.
Kyliemurmured a sound of acknowledgment. “It’snot a bad idea.Besides, you’re the boss.”
Iwas indeed; a fact that made me proud.Buildingthis space up from a crappy eyesore of a building to a successful club was an accomplishment that had taken a lot of work, fortunately with many helping hands.
Kyliepoured me aBellini.Itook a sip and the bubbles danced on my tongue asIscanned the club, thinking of what we’d need to do to decorate. “Whatdo you think,Kylie?Canwe pull it off?”
“Absolutely.We’lltake what we’ve done forHalloweenparties and tailor it for spring,” she added with a laugh.
Theseason was off, butIwas excited by the idea.Oncethat happened, there was little stopping me. “Let’sthink dates.”Ipulled out my phone and glanced at the calendar.Itwould be tight to get it planned by the end ofMay.Iscrunched my nose asIsearched the calendar for aSaturday.Itwould have to be inJune, which was past the halfway point toHalloween, butIliked the sound of it.Ifound aSaturdaythat would work.
Mycalendar noted it was a full moon.Bonus!
Iturned toEddie. “Whatdo you say?Wouldyou come to aHalfwaytoHalloweenparty?”
Hereleased a loud belly chuckle. “Iknow better than to skip out on your events.”
“Meaning?”Iarched my brows.
“You’llgive me a hard time telling me howImissed a great night for the next month.”
Itossed my hair over my shoulder. “Well, we do know how to put on some good parties.”Witha sly smile,Iadded, “Besides, you inspired it withMr.Boneshere.”
“Okay, okay,I’llbe there,” he relented.
Moreregulars wandered in over the next few hours.Manyasked about the new addition.Witheach question,Kylie,Eddie, andIexpanded on a backstory, coming up with different and stranger reasons for his arrival.
“Wefound him with a treasure chest behind a hidden wall in the basement,”Eddiesaid.
“Hewas doing the backstroke whenIwas out swimming, and he bumped into me,”Isaid. “So,Iinvited him back here for a drink.”
“Theoptions with online dating are prettybare-bonesthese days,”Kyliesaid with a groan.
Manytook photos withMr.Bones, which already made him a hit, especially if they posted them on social media.Freepublicity.Yes, please.Butwith the way people who were drinking, it was only a matter of time beforeMr.Bonesbecame a bag of bones crumbled to broken bits on the ground.
Ahalf-an-hour later,Sebastianentered the club asDanzig’s“KillerWolf” came on.Helooked sinfully sexy as he stalked his way through the crowd.Acouple of women cast lingering looks his way.Allmine, ladies.
Ismiled at my hot shifter husband. “Goodtiming,BigGuy.”Atingle of heat stirred deep inside me.
Hegazed at me from his soulful brown eyes, and his nostrils flared as he inhaled my scent, somethingI’dgrown used to being mated to a wolf shifter. “Hey, babe.”Hegreeted me with a kiss.
Hissoft beard tickled my cheeks.Iran my fingers over it, loving the way it felt against my skin.
