First Kiss Last by Sara Miller (read e book .TXT) 📗

Lily asked if I could help her take the girls trick-or-treating. Robert has to be out of town for work and I kind of already said I would.” She held her breath, waiting as she broke seven years of tradition. She felt guilty. It was their thing, but she was tired of pretending.

“Really.” Eric blinked at her. She couldn’t read his expression. “Really?” He shook his head, pacing back-and-forth.

The need to apologize was strong but Leah held her ground.

“Oh my God, Leah!” He looked at her oddly. “I hate passing out candy. Why didn’t you say something?” his question came out as an accusation. Leah had no response.

“I only did it for you,” he admitted, “you know . . . ’cause you like kids.”

Leah’s legs gave out and she plopped heavily on the couch. Eric moved and joined her.

“What have we done to each other?” she asked, leaning back and staring at the ceiling. She felt Eric shift, put his arm around her and settle in beside her.

Leah couldn’t remember the last time Eric had his arms around her like this. It felt comfortable and reassuring but not in the least romantic.

“We’ll figure this out, babe.”

She just nodded. They did indeed have a lot to figure out.

♦

The night before Halloween, Leah dreamed. She was in Cade’s living room wearing jeans and a hoodie, whereas the man in front of her was dressed in all black and had a sword hanging at his hip. Even wearing a mask, she easily recognized Cade. He smiled and his bright blue eyes twinkled with mischief.

Leah shrieked as something brown and hairy lunged at her. It had a long nose, beady eyes, and sharp yellow teeth. When she spied a rat-like tail, the pieces clicked into place in her mind. She laughed as Liam leapt into her arms.

“Westley!” she cried out to Cade’s character, “save me!”

The large rodent in her arms giggled. “It’s just me, Miss Leah!” Liam He pulled his mask up and smiled at her triumphantly. “Do you like my ROUS costume? Dad had to order it on the internet and everything. Isn’t it cooooool?” He slid the mask back in place and put out his hands curled like claws. He growled and hissed.

“The coolest!” she agreed.

Liam wiggled in her arms and she set him down. He danced and pounced around her play-attacking.

“We just need Princess Buttercup, don’t we, bud?”

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Liam cheered.

“Okay, how much sugar has he had?” she laughed.

“Believe it or not? None. It’s gonna be a long night.”

“Daaaaad, come on! I wanna go!” Liam hopped in place.

“Is Sky going as Buttercup?” Leah asked, looking around for the teen.

Sky emerged from the kitchen just then, dressed completely goth. “No way in he—ck. I’m going out with my friends. My ride’s here. Bye Dad, have fun, Liam.” She patted her little brother on the head as if he were the family dog, not a giant rat.

“Phone charged? No boys. Be home by nine, it’s still a school night.”

“I know, I know, luv ya,” she called over her shoulder.

“So who is your . . . oh. But I don’t have a costume.” Leah was instantly disappointed.

“We got yours, come see!” Liam grabbed her hand and pulled her down the hall to Cade’s bedroom, “Look!”

“Oh!” Leah stared at the bed. She looked at Cade for confirmation.

“The red dress is classic, it matches the scene in the movie when they are in the Fire Swamp.”

Leah looked at the floor-length dress with a high neck and long flowy sleeves laid out on the bed. It was bright red and tied at the waist with a gold sash. She felt the stiff costume fabric. It was spot on.

“Or, the second option is this . . .” He turned her and pointed to a dress hanging on the back of the door.

Leah gawked at the second dress. Also floor length but with long sheer sleeves, it was ice blue and sparkled. Leah thought it was absolutely beautiful. She stepped forward and touched it. This was not a cheap costume.

“It comes with a crown,” Cade added sheepishly.

“Which one do you pick?” Liam asked impatiently.

“Cade, this is . . . how did you . . .” She wasn’t even using full sentences. “I can’t—” Cade cut her off with a kiss and repeated Liam’s question.

“Which one do you pick?”

Leah went back and forth between the dresses. The red one fit the scene but the blue was just so pretty. She could not decide.

“You pick!” she told Liam.

Liam looked at his father in silent communication. Cade nodded. They flashed Leah matching smiles before turning and pointing to the dress hanging on the door.

She quickly shooed them out of the room and prayed the dress fit. It did. Like a glove. Between the plunging neckline and her ample curves, Leah worried she might look indecent.

Cade slipped back in the door. His eyes went wide as he took her in, a wolfish grin spread across his face. She felt self-conscious and her cheeks burned. She looked at herself in Cade’s full-length mirror and avoided his eyes. He walked over and zipped up the back of the dress. He turned her and lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.

“Who did this to you?”

“W-what?” Caught off guard, Leah was confused.

“Who made you think there is something wrong with you? Your body is amazing. You are beautiful.”

She shrugged. It was too hard to explain.

Cade kissed her again, this time long and slowly. They probably would have kept going, but Liam was impatient.

“Dad? Are you guys ready? Come on!”

Cade snuck one more kiss before he added her crown. Leah took one more look at herself in the mirror. She had to admit, it was a beautiful dress.

“Thank you,” she whispered before kissing his cheek and heading out the door.

From behind her, she heard a quiet, “As you wish.”

♦

Cade drove them to a family neighborhood and parked along the street. They got out of the truck and joined the slew of kids and adults.

As they