Page 70 of Storm Warning
A whistle comes from behind and I slam my phone shut.
“How do I sign up for whatever that is?” Judd laughs, pretending to snag my phone.
“Sell your soul and ya could find yourself among angels too,” I jest, looking down at his rather plain outfit. “This is a Halloween party, where’s the costume?”
"You’re the one who inspired it. Don’t you remember asking if I joined the F.B.I? Well, here’s your answer.” Gliding his finger across his chest, I read the letters out loud. “Never forget the fine print,” he adds, leading my eyes to read the words below as I take another drink.
Female Body Inspector.
Classic.
We both burst into laughter. Never did I think I would be inspiring more than one costume today, but as funny as his is, it can’t top my favorite.
“What are you? King of the dipshits?” Judd eyes my outfit. And I straighten the crown on my head, my cocky smirk notwavering, but my attention does as I watch Kaylee make her way to the coolers that hold all of the drinks.
I can’t take my eyes off her. The sound of the entire room blurs as my eyes trail down her legs to her white high heel boots. I’m far enough away that I shouldn’t hear them as they clack on the deck, and yet I’m so concentrated on what they would sound like it feels like I can.
Judd clears his throat, reminding me of our conversation. “It’s an inside joke, with your mom.” I wink. “I’m her knight in shining armor, the prince that comes to save the day.”
Half true.
He chuckles. “Not this again.”
He’s right, it’s getting old. We both let the joke wither away. “It’s an inside joke with my girl.” He nods, and I glance back toward Kaylee, finding Sawyer now with Daisy.
Judd must notice my attention shifting that direction when he says, “My, my, those wings over there look mighty familiar.”
Sawyer points us out and we both wave back as they advance toward us. I force my stare back to him, keeping my tone hushed. “Mention what ya saw and we’ll both end up on one of those missin’ person shows.” I’m kidding, but also I don’t want Kaylee thinking I’m out here showing the world something she clearly only meant for my eyes.
“Noted,” he whispers. “Evening, ladies,” Judd says as they approach. “Sawyer.” He nods, glancing over his costume before cracking a smile. “Looks like the bromance fumbled on which type of king to be tonight.” The girls both look us over and whisper something I can’t quite hear to one another, letting out a shared laugh.-
Sawyer shakes his head, his slicked back hair not moving with the motion. “I wanted to go as Elvis and Priscilla, but Rhett wasn’t pretty enough for the costume, so I decided to ride solo.”
Ouch. He’s good.
I clutch at my heart like I’ve just been shot. “How dare ya,” I joke, glancing back over to Kaylee to shoot her a wink. “Makes sense why ya didn’t ask Judd here to stand in either, if I don’t make the cut he definitely wouldn’t.” Something shifts in Kaylee’s entire demeanor at the mention of Judd’s name, a telling look there and gone. She knows who he is, but keeps her mouth shut. “I should have dressed up as somethin’ that sent me to heaven. If I’d known angels looked like this.” I reach over, grabbing her hand and raising it in the air, urging her to do a little twirl so I can truly take her in. Her body shimmers as the lights reflect off the sparkles on her skin. A few more layers lie between me and what that photo had, but, boy, does my imagination get the better of me now that I see her up close.
Pulling toward me, her cheek rests against my chest. Her wings are slightly in the way of my arm because of our height difference, but nothing a horizontal position couldn’t fix. It’s going to be impossible to keep my hands off her tonight.
“Ya were supposed to wear a costume, Angel. Not fair to everyone else that you’re always perfect.” Leaning down, I press my forehead to hers.
She arches her back, her golden-green eyes staring up into mine. “Not half bad yourself, Prince Charming.”
I knew she’d get it.Our personalities mesh so well, as we both enjoy poking fun at each other. It’s funny how a few back-handed nicknames turned into something that’sours. And what was once a feud, turned into a whole lot more than just some fun. It just feels right.
A group of people cheer off in the distance, pulling all of our attention toward them.
“Beer pong, anyone?” Judd questions. “Me and Sawyer against Rhett and the girls. I wanna win.”
“Is this because we’re girls?” Kaylee’s words come out hard, irritated, but she hides it with a smile.
“No offense,” he chuckles, not realizing he might have just put a nail in his own coffin.
Kaylee rolls her eyes, that flame of hers always coming out when she doesn’t like something, but even more so when she’s determined to prove someone wrong. “Wait, Judd right? The infamousJudd?” She looks him up and down, drawing out her words pretending to be in awe.
I thought she dropped it, but maybe not.
“The one and only.” He smiles, taking a performative bow.
