Byline chapter 20

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Copyright © 2021 Peregrine
All rights reserved.
Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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chapter 20

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“Hi Kevin,” I said as I answered the phone. I had gotten home about an hour ago and was looking in the fridge for something to cook for dinner.

“Hi, Casey. I’ve been invited to a Halloween party on Friday.’

“Friday’s the first, right?”

“Yeah. It’s a bunch of friends from work. It’s at the veteran’s hall.”

“I haven’t been to a Halloween party since I was a teenager.”

“Ah, so like last year.” I could hear him snicker.

“So funny wise guy,” I said.

“It’s been a while for me also. What do you think? Would you like to go?”

Of course, I would like to go. I still haven’t told him. It’s not fair to him. It’s only this one night.

“Sure, I’ll be able to go. Any ideas for costumes? No telling me you’re going as a paramedic.”

“Damn, there goes my costume idea.” He laughed. “I’m pretty bad at picking costumes. What was your costume?”

“At my last party? My sister and her friends decided to go as the Sailor Scouts. They convinced me to be Sailor Mars. We all had the same type of costume just different colors and accessories.”

“I would have loved to see you in that costume. Any pictures?”

“None you’re going to see,” I teased.

”Wasn’t there a guy called Tuxedo something or other in that show? I could be him. Too bad you don’t fit into the costume anymore.”

“Hey!” I actually took a little offense to his joke. “I’ll have you know it would fit if I still had it. I’d look better in it now.” It wasn’t a lie. I have boobs now. “And it was Tuxedo Mask. If we are going for couples costumes how about Cinderella and the prince? Every girl wants to go to the ball with her prince charming.”

“How about a plug and a light socket.”

“Really? Is that the best you can do? I’m not sure I want to go anymore,” I said. He laughed.

“Okay. No more jokes. I’ll be serious. How about we go as two Roman citizens? We can both wear togas.”

“Not bad. You do have the legs for it?” I giggled at the thought.

“You noticed. I’m running out of ideas.”

“I know. I can be a Spanish senorita and you can be Zorro.”

“That would work. How about we go see if we can get the costumes tonight?”

“I was about to cook dinner.”

“We can get dinner at the mall. My treat. Then we can find our costumes.”

“Alright, I’ll meet you there.”

We agreed on a place to meet. I changed into a pair of denim leggings and a light green top. I checked my hair and fixed my makeup. I found my flats, got my bag and went to meet Kevin.

~~0~~

Dinner was nothing special. We ate at an Asian place inside the mall. It was one of those chain establishments. It was good. Not nearly as good as what you could get a couple of blocks away in Chinatown. I wasn’t there for the food. I was there to be with Kevin. This is the most irrational thing I have done. I’m a guy and yet I want to be with him.

After dinner, we went to the costume store. We looked around. We both played with some of the costume props. Kevin found a sword to go with his costume. It didn’t take us long to find the costumes. As I tried on the dress, I found myself fantasying about Kevin proposing to me. This is ridiculous. I know my feeling this way is due to Abbey getting engaged.

Abbey and I had talked about her wedding yesterday. She was telling me the venue they wanted was booked. They still wanted the late September wedding. They were going to push the wedding back to next September.

“Gil and I are fine with the new date. We want to be married where he proposed to me,” she had said.

But Kevin proposing to me had no basis in fact. It was all a fantasy in my head. Seeing myself in the lacy costume dress and picturing him as the masked Zorro was messing with my head.

I stepped out of the changing room and after getting the expected approval, I changed back. Kevin tried on his costume. He looked every bit as dashing as I anticipated. With our outfits selected, we paid and headed out.

“I’m glad we were able to get that done. We’re going to make a great couple. I’m glad I thought of it,” he said.

“The costumes were my idea,” I reminded him.

“Oh yeah, right. But I was your inspiration for it.”

“You’re insufferable, you know that?”

He laughed. “Let me walk you home. We both have work tomorrow. Seeing you in that costume has me worked up. You looked amazing. I’m gonna need a cold shower when I get home.”

Without thinking, I reached up putting my arms around his neck. I got up on my toes and kissed him. He recovered from being startled and returned the kiss. I stood there with my head on his chest. My fingers were playing with the buttons on his shirt with his arms around me. I looked up and he gave me another quick kiss.

“We better get going,” he said. I didn’t want to.

We headed for my apartment. It was a quiet walk. Neither one of us felt the need to talk much. I didn’t want the walk to end. I was going to make sure I looked good for him on Halloween.

~~0~~

“You’re going to a Halloween party with Kevin? I know where the Sailor Scouts costumes are at mom’s house. You can wear your Sailor Mars costume,” Abbey said.

“I can’t believe we still have them and you know where those costumes are. I can’t wear it again.”

She gave a laugh. “You’re beginning to sound like a real woman.”

“Well, would you wear the costume again?” I said.

“No. That’s what I mean. Have you told Kevin you’re a guy yet?”

“No. I’m waiting for the right time.”

“Casey, you have to stop procrastinating. The longer you let it go, the harder it’s going to be.”

“I know. Maybe I’ll keep going out with him until my assignment is over. Then Casey disappears and C J returns.”

“I think that’s going to hurt you more.”

“What do you mean?”

“Kevin’s not going to know what happened when Casey suddenly disappears but you will.
You’ll still be thinking of him. You need to tell him sis, and soon.”

“I hate it when you’re right. I’ll get around to telling him. After the Halloween party.”

~~0~~

Kevin and I made a terrific couple at the party. Kevin was all in black with a black cape, hat and mask. I was in my lacy dress with a lace mantilla and lace patterned tights and black heels. We had plenty of competition. Of course, there was the obligatory butler and French maid and a playboy and his bunny. Some other costumes were a prehistoric caveman couple, a gangster and his mole and beauty and the beast to mention a few. The woman dressed as beauty was absolutely gorgeous. The beast costume on the guy was incredibly realistic. I’m sure it was professionally done. Kevin introduced me to his friends as we walked around. I was surprised when I saw Hannah and Bart. She had not told me she was going to be here. They had come as a doctor and a sexy nurse.

“Hannah,” I squealed. We hugged, “I didn’t expect to see you here. You look great!”

“So do you! Bart asked me at the beginning of the month. He said he was trying to convince Kevin to go to the party but was having a hard time. Bart said Halloween’s not one of Kevin’s big holidays. He didn’t tell me he succeeded. I’m glad he did and asked you to go.”

“Couldn’t get Bart out of the medical theme I see. Kevin tried the same thing. I vetoed it.”

“That’s alright. He likes me in my costume.” She took a pose and brought her hands up to her head and down to her sides.

“He’d be a fool not to,” I said. We laughed together.

“When Kevin called, I thought we’d have trouble getting costumes. We were lucky we found these.”

“Well, you two look great.”

~~0~~

The night was still young. The food table opened and the guys went to get food for us. Hannah and I started talking.

“Bart tells me Kevin really likes you. He says he talks about you all the time.”

“Really? That’s nice to hear. We’re not going out like you and Bart are. I figured he was going out with other people.”

“No, Bart says he’s only going out with you.”

He’s only going out with me? That’s not good. He has to be going out with other women, other real women.

“He shouldn’t be doing that,” I said.

“Why? Is something wrong? I thought you liked him.”

“I do. It’s too early to be only going out with one person.”

“Are you going out with other people?”

“Not at the moment. I’m not limiting myself to one person though.” I didn’t have to give much thought to my answer.

“I don’t know him but he seems like a catch. Bart only works with him. They don’t hang out. Bart says he’s an okay guy.” Hannah leaned over and kind of whispered so only I could hear. “Bart thinks he might have something planned for the future. Christmas is coming soon you know. Here they come with the food. I’m starving.”

I couldn’t believe what I had heard. Kevin might have something planned? Oh my God, was she suggesting what I think. I decided not to think about it. Why do I have to like him so much? I tried to put that thought out of my mind and enjoy the rest of the night.

~~0~~

After the party, Kevin walked me up to my building's door. We sat on the bench outside my building.

“You really looked great tonight. I had a great time. I’m not one for parties. I’m not one for Halloween. Tonight, I had a good time.” he said.

“I enjoyed myself also,” I said. “Would you like to come up for a bit?”

“I’d like to but I shouldn’t. I’d be tempted to do things I want to do.”

“You can kiss me here, right?”

He leaned over and we kissed. My arms went around his neck. With our lips still locked, my hand found its way to his crotch. I could feel his hard manhood. I brought my hand up to his chest rubbing in circular strokes. His hand found my breast through the thin fabric of my costume. Our breathing grew heavy. Suddenly he stopped. We both composed ourselves. I straightened the mantilla on my head.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry,” I said.

“I better be going. I’ll call you next week.” He kissed me on my cheek and stood up. I kissed him and went into my building.

“Nice costume Miss Cummings,” came a voice from the desk. “Looks good on you.”

“Thank you, Henry,” I said. I did a little curtsy. “Where’s your costume?”

“Halloween was the other night.”

“So it was.” I walked over to the desk. “What was your costume?”

“Same as tonight.”

“You wear that every night,” I said.

“Every night must be Halloween for me.” He smiled.

“I’ll have to remember to have some candy with me.”

“Peanut butter cup would be nice.”

I laughed. “Have a good night Henry.”

“You too Miss Cummings.”

~~0~~

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Thanks for reading. Comments welcome

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Cover picture Credits
Photo by Daria Sannikova from Pexels
Photo by Valeriia Miller from Pexels
Photo Composite by Peregrine

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