Page 53 of Better Together

Alexis asked Maggie, “Have you seen Pete? I didn’t ask if he planned on coming.”

“He’s around here somewhere. He rode in the limo with us. There.” Maggie pointed at Pete walking toward them in firefighter gear.

“OooEEE, General! You are smokin’ hot. I would love to put out your fire.”

“Cool it, Pete, or I’ll have to hose you off,” Alexis said to her good friend.

“Promise? Oh no. I better be good.” Pete winked, no doubt spying Zeke at the bar.

“What do you think of my costume?” Pete asked. “Zeke loaned me the uniform.” He sported yellow turnout pants and red suspenders.

“I think you have a crowd of women wanting you to put out their fire,” Alexis said.

Zeke came up behind Pete and rested a hand on his shoulder.

“Hey, man, thanks for the uniform and wow, great costume,” Pete said.

Roman in his scrubs, Cole dressed as Paul Bunyan, and Nick in his sheriff’s uniform zigzagged their way toward them, Nick looking annoyed.

“That’s either another unoriginal costume or Nick’s on duty tonight,” Owen said.

“Hey, everyone,” Nick greeted them. “Just wanted to say hi before I start my shift.”

Owen stood next to him. “You pull the night shift? What about Deputy Dawg?”

Nick grunted. “I can’t leave him alone on a night like this. All the troublemakers come out.” Nick changed the subject. “I’m glad to find out you all rented a limo for the evening. Smart move. Can you make sure Chloe gets home as well?”

“Yeah, of course. Everyone will have an escort,” Owen said.

Nick shook his head.

Owen laughed. “Sorry, man, wrong choice of words.”

As if on cue, Chloe meandered over in the most adorable cat costume Alexis had ever seen. Maybe Nick’s worries weren’t unfounded after all.

Nick eyed each woman. “No leaving any drink unattended. If you set your drink down, get a new one.”

“Yes, sir.” Chloe saluted her brother, and the rest of the group crossed their hearts.

Nick shook his head at Chloe. “Stay safe, everyone. Hopefully I won’t be back.”

“You too, big brother!” She looked at the girls. “Time to touch up my makeup—who’s with me?”

Alexis followed her group of friends to the bathroom. Her ears perked up when she heard Zeke’s name, and she slowed her steps to the ladies’ room.

“Who do you think is Zeke’s flavor of the month?”

The woman in the angel costume had her wings to Alexis, not realizing she was standing behind her, but obviously the wicked witch knew and covered her mouth. Great. Alexis had figured she’d run into one of Zeke’s flavors of the month. She wanted to rip her wings off.

What was she thinking? Zeke had dated too many women in town, plus he went to high school with most of them. Alexis hurried into the restroom.

Maggie looked at her through the bathroom mirror. “Hey. What’s going on, Alexis?”

“Nothing. I’m fine.”

Flushing toilets, running water, and a line of costume-clad ladies in front of mirrors touching up their makeup had Alexis turning back toward the door.

“Oh no you don’t.” Maggie intertwined arms with Alexis and escorted her into the small alcove near the exit door. “Spill.”