I grin, and take a look around again to admire our work. We spent weeks planning and making decorations to fit the space to feel like an actual Halloween party rather than another college house party. “Everyone seems to be enjoying the games, too.” I’d been worried people would find them childish, but it turns out things like bobbing for apples and watching scary movies in a darkened backyard are universally appreciated.
“The dance floor’s even busy,” Vanessa remarks. “I didn’t think people would want to dance without being tipsy.”
The dance floor is filled with people dressed in costume, dancing, and having fun. I’d shared her same concern, but it’s proving to have been another wasted thought, similar to those of Mike. “We should go play the mummy game. That actually looks way more fun than I gave the guys credit for,” I say, looking out onto the front lawn where people are lined up to participate in wrapping a partner up in toilet paper for fifteen seconds against a competing pair to see who most resembles a mummy.
“Where’s Rae?” Olivia asks. “I haven’t seen her since we got back.”
I glance toward the kitchen where Rae’s with Lincoln, a smile streaking across her face. We just passed the anniversary of nearly losing Rae. She’d jumped into the ocean to save a dolphin and nearly drowned in the process. I knew the date didn’t go unnoticed because Lincoln made dinner reservations for the two of them, then hunkered down in our apartment as if that night was jinxed. I point to where my best friend is filling a glass while laughing, dressed in a red one-piece bathing suit, her hair up and a giant red flower clipped to one side. Lincoln is beside her, wearing jeans and a white tee that we cut the sleeves off and a tool belt around his waist. “They’re dressed as the characters from Overboard,” I say. It had been Rae’s idea, one that Lincoln took in stride after initially refusing.
“They look happy,” Rose says, her voice a cornerstone between wistful and happy before she turns her head in the direction of where Ian is standing beside a couple of his teammates including Tyler and Cooper. He seems to feel her stare and turns to look back at her, making that space in my heart ache, reminding me of how being single can feel so lonely at times when everyone else seems blissfully in love.
I square my shoulders, regretting the thought as quickly as it formed. I’m not lonely. I have great friends, classes, my family, goals, and the truth of the matter is that last year, I tried to move on and meet other guys. My crash course involved falling for Chase Schultz, a member of the rugby team who ran colder than he did hot. His mood swings were only overshadowed by his disappearing acts. Excuses weren’t enough for me to weather the storm and see if things would change. “I’m going to play the mummy wrap game. If I don’t get away from those snacks, I’m going to go back for more of the mini cupcakes.”
“Oh my gosh! They’re so good!” Olivia says. “Did you try all three flavors?”
“Twice,” I tell her. I needed to erase the memory of the ones I made earlier in the week, which ended up being a disaster. It turns out, if you don’t have cupcake liners, you need to spray the pan or they come out a crumbly mess. Lesson learned. “I’m going to have to be cut out of this dress if I stay in here.”
Olivia grins. “Have fun. We’ll catch up with you later.”
I head outside, the air brisk but surprisingly dry.
“Hey!” Sophie, a girl I shared a few classes with last year, smiles at me. She’s dressed as Black Widow. Her gaze trails over my costume as she cocks her head to the side. “Who are you dressed up as? Oh! Are you that girl from the movie Clue?”
I shake my head. “Roger Rabbit.”
Her face scrunches like she’s trying to recall the movie. “I don’t know if I’ve seen it.”
“It’s from the eighties,” I tell her.
She laughs. “I definitely haven’t seen it then.”
I grin. The best thing about waiting a year to host our first college party is knowing nearly all of the attendees. Not that the occasional anonymity factor isn’t a bonus. Last year, I relied heavily on obscurity as I flirted with random guys in an attempt to figure out what my type was. But being surrounded by familiar faces—many of whom I consider friends—has a quality that makes me care far less about unwanted party guests. “You look amazing! I’m having a major case of costume envy.”
Sophie laughs. “We can swap for next year. I can’t believe how expensive costumes are.”
“Deal.” I glance at the crowd of people laughing beyond us. “Have you done the mummy game?”
Sophie shakes her head. “I can only bend a few inches, and then it feels like I’m either going to split my suit or fall over.”
“That sounds hazardous.”
She shares a friendly smile. “I saw some of the guys from the football team in line, though.” Her eyebrows dance. “I can’t believe you’re best friends with Rae, and you get to see Paxton all of the time.” She fans herself.
I follow her gaze to where Paxton’s standing off to the side, replenishing rolls of toilet paper for the game while talking to a couple of guys from the team. Paxton Lawson should require a label—a warning label that is. He’s tall, well over six feet, with a perfectly toned body. His sand-colored hair is lighter around his temples, and sky-blue eyes rest above sculpted cheekbones. But the real warning is how personable he is. Paxton cares about things and people. He has a gentle heart that I have no doubt came from his
