Page 13 of Halloween with a Daddy
“I guess you better see what she wants.” I nod to the phone, disgruntled by the interruption, but I don’t let it show.
Bethany reads the message from her friend and tilts her head in confusion. She clears her throat, puts the phone down, and looks at me.
“She found another ride home.” Her expression changes from confusion to a hint of excitement. “I guess I don’t have to leave yet, but I shouldn’t stay too much longer.”
“If you’re staying, you need a refill.” I lean forward, but Bethany pulls her cup away.
“Gosh, no.” She shakes her head. “I still have to drive!”
“You walked past how many empty bedrooms without even opening the door to the one I’m staying in?” I motion to the air. “You don’t have to go anywhere tonight. I’m sure my nephew will sleep it off in one of them, but you can have your pick of the rest.”
“You want me to stay?” She glances down at the table.
“I’ll even cook you breakfast tomorrow.” I reach across the table and put my hand on hers. “Are you tired? I’m not.”
“No.” She admits.
“Then why do you have to leave?” I perk a brow.
She doesn’t have to go anywhere and neither do I.
Why end the night when it’s just beginning?
Bethany
Thisnighthastakena rather unexpected turn.
Instead of wandering aimlessly through Grimwillow Manor, I got a personal tour from the owner. An actual Grim. I didn’t realize there were any of them still around. He’s charming, funny, and I can tell he’s got an adventurer’s heart like me. There is so much excitement when he tells his stories about this place.
This feels like a dream come true, with a surprising twist of a guy who is asking me to stay the night. In a guest room, he says, but is that what he means?
I could send a quick text to my grandmother and tell her I won’t be home tonight. My grandmother is torn between old-fashioned values and the realities of modern day. She put me on birth control when I was fifteen because she didn’t want me to end up like my mom, and never tried to keep me from doing the things I wanted to, as long as they weren’t dangerous.
She’s always told me a text is good enough and there is no need to explain further. Moments like this are probably what she meant, but the only time I’ve done it is when I plan to crash at Amelia’s apartment. Usually because Amelia is driving, and I know it’ll be late.
All I know for certain is that I don’t really want to leave. Not right now. I want to have another glass of the whiskey that’s going to my head and continue my conversation with Edgar.
I’m feeling things I’ve never felt before. My heart won’t slow down. The butterflies won’t stop fluttering. This is way more intense than the simple little crush I had on my history professor. Plus, his hand is on mine right now and it feels like the energy is coursing through both of us, pulling us closer, and refusing to let go.
“Okay, I’ll stay. How could I resist spending a night in this place?” I smile, pull my hand away from Edgar’s, and reach for my phone. “I just need to text my grandmother and let her know I won’t be home. You can refill my cup if you’d like.”
“Perfect.” Edgar tilts the whiskey and pours more than he did the first time.
I quickly send a text to my grandmother and respond to the one from Amelia so that she will know I’m okay. Not that I think Amelia will worry. She probably met someone else, or things took a heated turn with Mark. Normally, I’d judge her for that, but I’m not going home either. I don’t know where this night will take me. I’m open to possibilities I’ve never considered before. My inhibitions were lowering long before I took my first sip of whiskey.
“All set?” Edgar asks as I put down my phone.
“Yep.” I give him a nod and reach for my cup.
“Then you can continue your story.” He leans back. “You skipped way too much.”
“What if I’d rather just look around?” I push my chair back and stand. “I barely even got to see the library before you whisked me away for the tour.”
“That’s fair.” He watches as I walk around the room. “You’ve got all night to finish your story.”
I’m not saying that I’m taking this stroll entirely because of my curiosity about the library. If I don’t step away for a minute, I’m going to fall head-over-heels before the party wraps up downstairs. I also don’t mind if Edgar gets another look at me in this costume. He might think it’s silly, just like I do, but he remembered me because of it. Then again, he’d probably like my other one more, even if shows less skin. I’m just working with what I have, tangled up with thoughts and feelings that are still new to me.
But I like it.
