He had a son, Oliver, and a difficult divorce behind him. He picked Oliver up from school, but his ex-wife disputed visits.
Neither of us liked discussing our exes, and I’d never asked her name.
“Can I ask you something ridiculous?”
“I don’t want to drag him into this,” I said.
“Let him decide.”
That evening, I called him.
“Can I ask you something ridiculous?”
“Depends. Does it involve moving furniture?”
“Worse. A Halloween party.”
“You’re asking me to pretend we’re dating?”
I said my ex, Jason, had challenged me to show up alone. I didn’t mention Christy.
Daniel was quiet.
“You’re asking me to pretend we’re dating?”
“Just for one night.”
“Actually, it sounds entertaining.”
“Really?”
Jason called again to remind me about the party.
“Oliver talked me into buying a costume.”
“Are you sure?”
“Completely. I’ll pick you up at six.”
He refused to tell me his costume.
Jason called again to remind me about the party, sounding almost disappointed that I still hadn’t backed out.
Ben ran into the room with his pirate sword.
On Halloween afternoon, Ava helped me with my costume. I wore a fitted black dress, boots, and a velvet cape. She drew tiny stars near my eyes.
“You look like a queen,” she said.
“A witch, actually.”
“A queen witch.”
Ben ran into the room with his pirate sword.
Daniel stood outside wearing a dark suit, gloves, and a silver mask that covered most of his face.
“Can you make Dad walk the plank?”
“Not tonight, honey.”
Jason picked up the kids at five. We’d agreed I’d bring them home after the party. An hour later, my doorbell rang.
Daniel stood outside wearing a dark suit, gloves, and a silver mask that covered most of his face.
“Who are you supposed to be?” I asked.
“A mysterious guest.”
Daniel reached for my hand before we entered.
“Very specific.”
He offered me his arm.
“You look wonderful, by the way.”
It was such a simple, yet unexpected compliment that it completely threw me off-guard.
At the party, the driveway was crowded with cars. Music drifted from the backyard. Paper bats covered the windows.
Daniel reached for my hand before we entered.
She hugged me, then studied Daniel’s mask.
“Still comfortable with this?”
“Ask me again in ten minutes.”
We walked inside.
Ava spotted us first.
“Mom! You came!”
She hugged me, then studied Daniel’s mask.
For five minutes, everything was lovely.
“Cool costume.”
“Thank you,” he said.
Ben challenged him to a sword fight and immediately declared victory.
For five minutes, everything was lovely.
Then Jason spotted us and came over with Christy on his arm.
He looked me over.
She only used my name like that when she wanted an audience.
“Well, that’s unexpected.”
“Happy Halloween, Jason.”
Christy’s smile tightened.
“Nice dress, Sarah. Very brave.”
She only used my name like that when she wanted an audience.
“You expect me to believe that? No man would ever date someone like you.”
As they approached, Daniel’s hand briefly stiffened around mine. I thought he was reacting to Jason’s expression.
Jason noticed Daniel holding my hand.
“Wait. What is this? Your boyfriend?”
I nodded uncertainly.
Jason laughed.
“Oh, please. You expect me to believe that? No man would ever date someone like you. What, did you pay him?”
