Page 77 of Haunt the Mall

Victor tipped his bowl to his lips and gulped down its contents. His throat bobbed.

Jinx meowed in horror. 'No milk for me?'

“Wait, can you leave some for Jinx?” I cringed at the cat-mom coming out in me, but it couldn’t be helped: he was basically my baby.

“Oh, my apologies.” Victor wiped the white liquid from his lips and set his bowl on the floor.

Jinx sniffed, clearly miffed. He licked the meager remnants and flicked his tail.

I smiled and stroked his fur. “He’s spoiled, but I love him.”

“I can tell,” Victor said warmly. “While you two finish breakfast, do you mind if I shave?”

“Not at all. I’ll get you a fresh razor. Can you guard my bowl for a minute?” I asked.

He nodded.

By the time I came back, he’d scooped up Jinx and was carrying him like a baby as he paced the kitchen. It was probably the only way to keep him from my cereal. “Thank you for allowing me to stay for the evening,” he whispered to my cat, and it was everything.

“Here you go, Wolf-Man.” I held out the razor and grinned.

“Wolf-Man? I thought I was Spider-Man,” he said.

I stroked the scruff on his cheek. “Can’t you be both?”

He slow-blinked and smiled, leaning into my touch. Whatever he was, he was mine.

We finished getting ready with movie montage-worthy efficiency. His eyes darkened when I rolled up my tights, and my heart quickened at the sight of his hips when he changed shirts. Jinx flicked his tail to wave us off, then curled up in the sun.

We debated carpooling and doing a sleepover again, but ultimately, he checked his phone and shook his head. “I really have to get back.”

“Ah, yes. Clean underwear, shaving kit, et cetera,” I teased. “Maybe next time we can go to your place?”

“I highly doubt that," he said.

“Oh.” It was probably easier to have him here, but something about the dismissal dug under my skin. Was he embarrassed or private? We’d already had sex. I’d seen his dick; why couldn’t I see where he lived?

He stuffed his phone in his pocket, then stepped closer. “I had a lovely time, Kat.”

Right. It was a great date. No need to dwell on any perceived brush-offs. I hugged him and smiled. “Thanks for the honeymoon, Spider-Man.”

“My pleasure, Miss Silver.” He kissed me, then bowed and slunk away to his car, leaving me with a deep, stretching ache.

This was ridiculous. We knew so little about each other, yet we were so connected. I had no idea what to do with our budding relationship. Or the mess waiting for me at the store.

I sighed and made my way to the mall. I still had so many questions. For instance, why did Officer Holland always serve me side-eye when I covered my ears walking through the metal detectors? Did he think I shoved stuff in my eardrums? Was there some secret drug trade via earrings I didn’t know about? Or was he just that uncomfortable with anyone who didn’t look squeaky-clean? At least Victor liked the way I looked. But he enjoyed me as a person, too, didn’t he?

I hurried into the store; my heart clenched at all the boxes sitting in my office. Half the sizes in our most popular costumes hadn’t been replenished. Customers peered through the grates. Eager customers were great for business, but hard to handle as a solo opener.

I hurried to get the basics ready. Someone knocked at the doors. Well, they’d seen me now. There was no reason to put off making money while I replenished our costumes. I let the customers inside with a haunted house-inspired flourish. “Welcome to Hell—I mean, Hot Contra, home of your Halloween and counterculture needs.”

A woman with a death grip on her purple purse raised her phone to my face. “Do you have the goddess costume in XXL?”

“Probably.” The costume section was clearly ten feet away, but I grabbed it for her anyway.

She hugged the package, her cheeks flushed. “I need to try it on.”

I rifled with the keys on my belt. “Great, let me—”