“Trappers Cove looks good on you. You’ve got a glow, girlfriend. Something you’re not telling me?”
It felt damn good to laugh this hard. Wherever Addy landed, she’d need a friend like Liv in her life.
“Okay, okay—I met a guy.”
“And?” Liv’s eyebrows danced up and down. “Is he keeper material?”
“As close as I’ve come in forever.” She checked to make sure Annie was safely out of hearing range. “But he and I are in the same boat.”
“He’s military?”
“No, but he’s been through something rough. An oil rig fire. Nearly died. Lost a lot of friends.”
Liv gave a low whistle. “So you both have PTSD? Ay ay ay.”
“Terrible idea, right?”
Her friend waggled a hand. “Could be challenging. Could also be helpful—I mean, who’s going to understand your quirks better than someone who’s going through something similar?”
Addy snorted. “Quirks? I freak out at loud noises, and he has night terrors.”
“Right. That might make it hard for a normie to cope, but someone as strong and compassionate as you…”
She was doing that trailing-off-and looking-at-the-ceiling thing she did when she wanted Addy to draw a certain conclusion, and Addy didn’t have time for that.
“But with someone like me…what?”
“It’s a coin toss, darlin’. Depends on the two people involved. I don’t know him, but I know you, and you’ve been hiding your needs behind work and duty for far too long. If you’ve found someone who helps you stop hiding, well…it’s worth a considering.”
Addy blew out a long breath. “Okay. I’ll think on it. And thanks. I miss you.”
“Miss you too, love.” In the background, a loudspeaker blared a staticky announcement. “Shit. Meeting. Gotta go. Mwah!”
Addy blew a kiss and ended the call.
A few minutes later, she left the vintage shop lighter of heart—and wallet—and laden with floppy boots, a red scarf, a wide belt, the blouse and skirt, skull and crossbones earrings, and a shiny plastic sword, plus the blue, feathered cocktail chapeau for Liv.
“Arrgh,” she snarled in her best pirate accent, grinning as she peeked into her shopping bag. “Kieran won’t know what hit him.”
Chapter Fifteen
Addywasputtingthefinishing touches on her pirate costume when a loud knock on her door caused her to fumble her scarlet lipstick.
“Trick or treat!”
Huh. Most of the little goblins had come between six and seven, and that voice sounded pretty grown-up to be trick or treating. Must be the teens’ turn at candy-grubbing. Good thing she had plenty of baby Snickers and Twizzlers left.
She grabbed the candy bowl and opened the door to a beloved face, tinted green and topped with a pointy witch’s cap.
“Surprise!” Liv flung her arms wide and enveloped Addy in a tight, squishy hug. “Happy Halloween, lovey!”
“Liv!” Fizzing with delight, she rocked her bestie back and forth.
“I decided the drive was worth it for a well-earned break. My first appointment isn’t until ten tomorrow, so…” She shimmied her abundant boobs, tightly encased in a nylon witch costume that threatened to split under the load. “Fabulous costume, Ads. Let’s party! Where’s the wine?”
Addy bustled her friend inside and poured her a glass of the fruity rose she’d picked up from the Food Co-op in case tonight’s party didn’t end as she’d hoped, along with supplies for a sumptuous breakfast, in case it did.
“Aren’t you drinking?” Liv asked when Addy filled her own wineglass with raspberry seltzer. Her eyes narrowed, then widened. “Oh my God, are you—“
