of the girls there will be wearing the skimpiest costumes they could come up with. Thus, boobs.”
Just in last few days, I’d overheard the words, “sexy pirate,” “sexy nun,” “sexy prisoner,” and “sexy Minnie Mouse” from the mouths of different classmates. It was never just “pirate” or “Minnie Mouse.” There was always a “sexy” modifier tacked on to the description.
If I wanted to see that much female skin, I’d go to a strip club. There, I could at least get a lap dance out of it. Maybe even pick up a move or two.
Levi shook his head at me, but he didn’t bother hiding his smile. “I’m shocked your boyfriend didn’t convince you to go to at least one party.”
I had been too. But he’d seemed almost relieved when I’d told him I “had” to work. While I spent my evening at The Grind, he’d planned to visit the boxing gym. Ever since we’d started dating, he hadn’t been using the gym as a daily escape like he used to. According to Leo, he didn’t need to punch the hell out of a bag or other dudes anymore, thanks to me.
I wasn’t completely convinced. Only time would tell if his obsessive boxing days were over.
“Leo isn’t as much of a party guy as everyone believes.”
“Sure,” Levi replied, not sounding convinced. “Whatever you say.”
“What’s your excuse for working tonight? Surely, there’s a band playing somewhere you’d be into.”
Despite sharing two of my three weekly shifts at The Grind with Levi, I hadn’t gleaned much about his personal life from him. The one thing I did know? He was into live music.
“One of my friend’s bands is playing later, after I get off.”
“Is this a friend of the female persuasion?” Yeah, I was fishing. Sue me.
He smirked. “Yes, actually. Are you curious about how much cleavage she’ll be showing? Because, if so, I’ll have to get back to you on that.”
“Ha. Ha. You’ve just never mentioned a girlfriend, that’s all.”
“That’s because I don’t have one.”
I shrugged, feigning disinterest. “Okay.”
Levi waved a finger at me. “I see what you’re doing, but it’s not going to work.” I merely grinned at him until he finally sighed and added, “I don’t have time for a girlfriend.”
“I get it. Girls are a lot of work.”
“You’re not.”
“How do you know? Maybe I make Leo take me out three times a week.”
He crossed his arms over his chest, considering me. “I don’t believe you. I bet he’s tried to take you to fancy restaurants, and you didn’t go for it.”
“Who have you been talking to?”
Levi laughed. “No one. I’m just a good judge of character, and despite your fancy new car, I know a low-maintenance girl when I see one.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“So, what do you think? Dracula or Frankenstein’s monster?”
I grabbed a croissant from the case and took a bite. We were allowed one free food item per shift, and if I was going to survive a Halloween edition of “This or That,” I needed sustenance.
“Depends. What’s their purpose?”
Levi rolled his eyes at me. “You know that’s not how the game works. You don’t get to ask follow-up questions.”
“Fine. Since I love Dracula in Hotel Transylvania, I have to go with Dracula.”
“Bleh, bleh-bleh,” he replied in perfect imitation from the movie.
“Exactly.”
“Okay, now, you. Keep it to monsters.”
“Hmm.” I had to think about it. Usually, Levi’s themes were broader than that. “How about Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde?”
“That’s a good one.” He leaned back against the counter, obviously putting significant thought into the question. “I mean, I’m supposed to say Dr. Jekyll, right? Only a crazy person would choose the murderer.”
“I don’t know. Maybe you have a dark side.”
He narrowed his clear green eyes and drew his lips together, trying to look mean...and, I almost choked on my last bite of croissant from laughter. Levi groaned. “You’re supposed to at least be intimidated by my tattoos.”
Glancing up and down his colorful right arm, I tried to find him intimidating, and failed. He just wasn’t the kind of guy who would scare me away with his tattoos or piercings.
Giving in, he suggested, “Why don’t we move on? Medusa or—”
Levi stopped when the first customer we’d seen in at least fifteen minutes walked through the door. Apparently, Halloween was one of the least busy nights of the year. From what I’d heard, most Harbor U students would be flitting from party to party on Greek row tonight.
“I’ve got this,” I said, making my way to the counter. “Hi. What can I get