jam? I never would have guessed,” Aidan said, teasing.
Stella laughed. “There’s town spirit, and then, well, there’s this. So watch out for zombie brides, and stay away from the punch. Aunt June makes it practically a hundred proof, and we can’t be held responsible for what happens when people start drinking the stuff.”
“Noted.” Aidan said, but he didn’t need punch to act the fool. He was light-headed just looking at her.
Get a grip.
Aidan knew, he couldn’t stay a tongue-tied idiot for the rest of the night, and by the time they found parking near the Town Hall, he’d just about gotten himself under control again. “Halloween is one of my favorite holidays,” Stella confided, taking his hand as they crossed the square.
It was officially Aidan’s favorite too, now.
“Matty and I would always come up with the craziest costumes, and spend all month making them from scratch,” she continued. “It started out because I was too broke to buy anything fancy, but it turned into tradition: going out trick or treating, and marching in the parade. Of course, now that he’s a teenager, he’d never be seen dead dressing up with his mom,” she added with a wry smile.
“One day he’ll have kids of his own, and you’ll get to share the tradition with them,” Aidan suggested, and Stella let out a snort of laughter.
“Oh god, don’t say that. He still spells out words with his alphabet soup, I’m not ready to think about him being a father just yet!”
Aidan wondered if she wanted more kids. A daughter, maybe, with flyaway curls and an independent streak, just like her. But he stopped himself asking, just in time.
This was only their second official date. That was none of his business.
Not yet.
“Look at you!” The minute they stepped through the doors, Stella was smothered in a hug from a woman in a Dolly Parton wig and bright pink suit. “Who is this stunning glamour-puss and where has she been hiding all these years?”
“What do you think?” Stella smiled, striking a pose. “I’m all set to come clean out your sewer line.”
“I love it. You could attract a whole new clientele.”
“Maybe not the one I want though,” Stella laughed.
“And how about this cool drink of water?” Dolly turned her attentions to Aidan, and he shifted under her assessing gaze. “Well now, those Kinsella genes are just the gift that keeps on giving, aren’t they?”
“Aunt June,” Stella admonished her playfully. “You’ll make the man blush.”
June tutted. “Save a dance for me, sweetheart,” she told Aidan with a wink. “And don’t forget to fetch yourself some punch. It’s a new recipe I’ve been trying!”
Stella steered him away. “I told you,” she whispered, grinning. “Watch those hands!”
Aidan chuckled, taking it all in. The cavernous hall had been transformed, with pumpkins and spooky fall décor balanced on every surface, wispy ghosts floating on wires, and plenty of dark corners housing skeletons, and who knew what else? There was a DJ playing ‘Monster Mash’, a live band setting up onstage, and the dance floor was already packed with a hundred people in wild and wacky costumes.
“Wasn’t I right about the dress?” A pirate bopped past, complete with stuffed parrot on her shoulder.
“You were right!” Stella agreed.
“BOO!”
Someone grabbed Aidan from behind, and he spun around, startled. “Jesus!”
“Nope, it’s me, Luke.” His brother smirked, dressed up like a bandit, with a black bandana covering his face. “But close.”
“Funny.” Aidan said, relaxing. “Cool costume, though.” Then he paused. “Wait, is that Jackson over there in the priest robes?”
He waved his brother over, just as Chase joined them – also decked out all in black, wearing what looked like a ninja’s outfit.
They all matched.
“Did Cassie get your costume, too?” Chase asked, as they looked at each other, realizing they’d been set up.
Aidan groaned. “She planned it this way!”
Cassie waltzed over, looking smug. “And you said we were too old for group costumes!” she crowed, beaming. She had a black cat-suit on, with kitten ears poking up on top of her head. She twirled her tail in victory. “Don’t you dare leave before we get photos for mom!”
She spun off, leaving Aidan laughing ruefully with his brothers. “That’s what we get for not planning ahead,” Luke said, grinning. “And there I was thinking she was doing me a favor.”
“Oh, she did.” Natalie arrived, leaning up to kiss his cheek. “Because you all look good.”
Aidan turned, looking for Stella. She was nearby, laughing up a storm with some of her friends. She looked relaxed and