Lief nods.
She points at him. “Put yours on.”
He grins and walks into her changing room with her. I hear a squeal that’s cut off quickly and roll my eyes. We’re not going to have a choice but to take that costume home now. Lief comes out, but the costume fits him awkwardly. I peek around him and see Valerie actually has her clothes on. It’s a miracle or he’s capable of the fastest quickies in the world.
“How about a butler costume? He can use one of his suits and slick back his hair, maybe put on some glasses and white gloves.”
Valerie’s eyes light up. “Lief!”
“Very well.” He sighs.
Once they get out, Valerie runs to grab my costumes. First, she grabs a prince charming costume while I just stare at her, then she finds me a fireman costume, and her grin stretches. “The coat, the suspenders, the pants. Ugh. And nothing covering your gorgeous chest.”
I try it on, stare at myself, feeling ridiculous, and walk out. She says yes, doesn’t put me through the hell of a prince charming costume, then I look to Lief. “You know, Chase needs a costume too.”
Lief’s lips turn up wickedly. We all go around, picking at costumes, and finding different things. I hold up a ‘nerd’ costume which makes Valerie laugh. Lief offers up a grim reaper costume and she beams.
“I can even do skull makeup on him too.”
We finish getting some décor for the back yard, grab something through a drive-through on the way home, but Valerie must have had some sugar this morning. She bounces around putting things up as Lief picks her up to help.
By the time Chase gets home, there are Halloween cookies in the oven and the whole house has been made over. Valerie and I are decorating a black Christmas tree with Halloween decorations while Lief re-organizes bats on the wall.
Chase just blinks. “I thought I came to the right place ...”
“Chase!” Valerie runs across the floor and vaults into his arms, kissing him hungrily.
He drops his briefcase to catch her and gives in with a moan. She pulls his hair and sweetens him up before showing him the costume. His whole face lights up, the opposite of what I was expecting. “I love it.”
“Hunter’s going to be a sexy fireman, and Lief ... he’s going to be a sexy butler.”
“If you put me in shorts-”
“No. I just don’t think you need a jacket ... or long-sleeved shirt. Just the vest and pants and gloves ... the glasses and slicked back hair too, but you’ll be delicious.” She points at all of us. “No real shirts for anyone.”
“And what is our girlfriend going to be dressed as?”
I lick my bottom lip. “You should show him.”
“Oh no. I put it on and you three are going to tear it.” She says protectively despite taking a step back.
“Is it that good?”
“Even better with a thong. I can’t wait to see it with heels.” Lief rubs his bottom lip.
Chase’s eyes flick to her. “Put it on, baby doll.”
“No touching!” She holds up her hand. “That’s the only way I’m going to put it on.”
My lips curl up. “No touching yet. Tomorrow ... that’s a different story.”
“You can only rip it after the party.”
“Oh, I don’t want it ripped. I want you wearing it every time you get the urge to clean,” I assure her.
Valerie takes an unsteady breath as she blushes. She hurries upstairs and I grin at Chase. “I think she’s getting a little turned on.”
“If Halloween does that to her, this is staying up all year.” Lief decides.