Page 18 of Costume Party Crush
But Lowell was right, I’d do damn near anything for Sean’s lasagne. Plus, they were my friends.
I turned one way then the other, looking at my reflection. I wore a royal blue vest and harem pants, both with gold accents. A genie’s lamp and a small pouch dangled from a gold sash tied around my waist. A fake beard was glued to my face, and I wore a mostly-bald cap, with a single black ponytail sprouting from the top.
I was glad that I was mostly in shape, since the vest didn’t do much to cover my torso, nor my arms.
I thought of the tray of lasagne sitting in my fridge, waiting for me to pop in the oven, and chuckled.
Sean really wanted this costume to happen—enough to make sure the bribe was more than sufficient. Of course he knew I would have done it for the one dinner at their place, but sometimes I think he worried about me, since I was the only single guy left in the group. His paternal side seemed to think he needed to make sure I was eating ok.
I stared at my middle, wishing I had the makeup skills to give myself some sort of defined muscles. I jumped when the doorbell rang, then grabbed my wallet, phone, and rushed down.
“You ready?” Lowell asked as I opened the door to see him in a similar outfit but in whites and purples with hints of gold.
“You look ridiculous,” I laughed.
“Have you seen yourself?”
I nodded. “I look equally ridiculous. How’s Sean look?”
Lowell grinned. “Absolutely fuckable. He’s got the sky-blue and gold thing going on, but he got poofy sleeves and a closed top, cause apparently princes can afford more fabric than fake princes or genies.”
“Not gonna lie,” I chuckled. “Kinda jealous about the sleeves. I hope the museum has the heat on.”
Lowell shrugged. “Get enough people there and it won’t matter.”
“I guess that’s true. But I’ll be freezing my balls off as soon as I get outside again… speaking of which…”
He laughed. “Sean’s already got the heater going in the car.”
“Let me at it,” I replied, pushing past Lowell.
“Don’t you want to lock the door?”
“Smartlock,” I called back as I headed towards the back door of their small SUV. “I’ll lock it from the warmth of the car.”
His laughter followed me, but I didn’t care as I climbed in and found the interior of the car toasty.
“I think you could cut glass with those nips,” Sean teased, looking back at me.
I flipped him off. “It’s your fault. You’re the one who picked a half-naked costume in October.”
He laughed as Lowell climbed into the front seat. “Yeah, but you do rock it, except for the glass cutters.”
“Pfft,” I huffed as he pulled back out onto the street. “I hope you’re not the only omega who notices.”
“You’ve got enough skin on display that I’m sure somebody will appreciate it.”
“I’ll be disappointed in your costume-choosing abilities if I don’t get some appreciative looks.”
Lowell snickered. “You do remember that sparkly blue thing he used to wear for the Winter Market, don’t you? I don’t think anybody has ever accused Sean of top choices in clothing.”
“Hey!” Sean protested. “I thought you liked that suit.”
“I do,” Lowell replied. “When I’m taking it off you.”
Sean reached across the center and lightly smacked Lowell’s arm, making me grin.
I just had to trust that I’d have that kind of easy love myself one day.
