Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 20818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Hours later, we've filled multiple boxes and sorted the rest into ‘throw-away’ and ‘donate’ piles when I glance at the clock. “You ready to take a break?” My muscles are sore, so I know my little kitty has to be feeling the strain from our efforts.
“Yeah, I could use a second to breathe,” she replies. “I didn’t know I had this much stuff.”
“Don’t worry, little kitty, we’ll get it all moved.”
Chapter 11
Kat
I shuffle through the closet, trying to locate my favorite pair of heels amidst the sprawling array of clothing I’ve managed to unpack over the past few days.
Moving into Tony’s mansion in Silver Spoon Falls has been an adventure in itself. Between the high ceilings, the dozens of rooms, and the winding hallways that practically beg for a rainy-day hide-and-seek session, it’s no wonder Walter, my ever-royal cat, is loving every second. He’s taken to scampering about with an impressive level of enthusiasm, his tiny paws tapping against the polished wooden floors like he’s doing an adorable jig.
The night we started moving my things in, we video-chatted my parents so they could meet Tony. My dad didn’t seem too thrilled to have me move in with someone I just met, but I’m hoping he’ll change his mind once he meets Tony in person.
We’re planning to visit them in Florida once the busiest time of year for Midnight Falls is over.
Today, it’s finally Halloween, my absolute favorite time of year, and the house is all decked out to celebrate. There are cobwebs strung up artfully in the corners and pumpkins lining the drive, their grins flickering with candlelight.
Tonight, Tony's hosting a private bash down at Scared Shotless, the bar’s decadent speakeasy. To say I'm excited is an understatement, and it’s not just because of the party. The whole place feels alive, like it’s humming in anticipation of something grand.
“What about this one?” Cassidy calls out, emerging from the mound of my clothes holding the slinky Catwoman costume I wore the night I met Tony
“Perfect.” I grin, taking it from her. “I’m so excited for tonight.”
Cassidy practically vibrates with excitement. “Me too.”
With our outfits finally sorted, we scramble to get ready, the two of us swapping accessories, giggling over spooky tales, and sipping on last-minute mimosas before the night's festivities truly begin. Walter, meanwhile, perches regally atop the bedspread, observing our human absurdities with that superior air only a cat can master.
“You nervous?” Cassidy asks, handing me a pair of sparkling bat earrings. “It’s your first Halloween after officially living with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Devilish.”
“Nah,” I reply, feeling the flutter in my stomach at the thought of Tony. “It feels right. Like we’ve known each other forever. Plus, Walter has basically claimed the place, so there’s no going back now.”
By the time we’re ready, the stars are twinkling above, and the air has turned brisk. Excitement surges within me, electrifying every nerve. The drive to Trick or Treat is filled with Cassidy’s non-stop chatter.
When we arrive, the façade of Trick or Treat is even more inviting than usual, twinkling with fairy lights and wrapped in soft fog. I can hear the muffled sounds of merriment leaking from inside. Music thrums faintly, shaping the night’s character even before we step through the doors.
The doorman waves us in, and Cassidy and I stride past, stepping into the enchanted bar, ready for some Halloween fun. As soon as we reach the floor-to-ceiling bookcase that hides the stairway down to Scared Shotless, anticipation builds in my chest, spilling over like bubbles in champagne.
“I’m in heaven,” Cass mumbles as we find the speakeasy has been transformed into a Halloween oasis.
I glance around, realizing the room appears to be set up for a wedding, blending the elegance of a speakeasy with the enchanting allure of the spooky season. Intricately carved jack-o'-lanterns border a black silk-lined aisle, their warm flicker casting bewitching shadows across the walls.
“What the heck?” I mumble to myself, wondering what’s going on here.
The room is draped in deep, velvety burgundy and rich, gothic black, with cascading fabrics that give the space an intimate, cocoon-like feel. Above us, strands of twinkling fairy lights weave through faux cobweb-draped chandeliers, imbuing the room with a magical twilight ambiance. Candlelight flickers from every corner, their shadows dancing alongside the rhythm of the festive jazz that serenades and the cobblestone-themed flooring.
There are whimsical bouquets of deep red roses, midnight calla lilies, and silvery-dusted greenery entwined with strands of glittering faux spider webs spread throughout the room, adding an ornate touch to the romantic scene.
In the center of the room, there’s an altar framed by an archway of twisted branches, entwined with tiny white lights and autumn leaves, creating a faux portal. Set against this backdrop, intricate lace and black satin ribbons artfully cascade down, their ends sweeping elegantly against the floor.