wanted to go wild and crazy one last time, and the masquerade provided the perfect background. If she was really lucky, the tattoo stud might show up. So long as any part of the tat was visible, she’d be able to recognize him.
Time to get her funky, masked groove on.
Chapter Fourteen
The costume shop should have been renamed Can of Sardines on account of how packed the place was. They’d elbowed their way past the masses and split as they each muscled their way toward any spot in the store still displaying costumes.
Heather had no clue how the others were making out, but so far she’d come up with nothing. Just bits and pieces of costumes. Then one came into view.
A black, Elvira-inspired dress, matching long wig, and small hat and veil to hide her face.
Perfect.
“Hey, how’d you fare?” P.J., came out with a dark bag. In fact, all the bags were opaque to prevent anyone from viewing the outfits within.
“I’m happy.”
“Well, what did you pick?” P.J. asked trying to peek in her bag.
“Not saying. I want to stay incognito for as long as possible.” She figured P.J. would push her on the issue, but she didn’t.
“Good for you girl. Go get your freak on.” P.J. winked and took off, pausing to quickly add, “Since the party doesn’t start until eight, the guys and I are heading to the waterslides. Wanna come and kill a few hours?”
“Sure.” A few hours in the sunshine, laughing with friends before, hopefully, the wildest night of her life, sounded like heaven. “Let’s do this.”
* * * *
Peachy. She’d managed to get a sunburn right before a big event. The tiny island store fortunately carried lidocaine, which P.J. helped douse her in. So much for being inconspicuous tonight.
Wait. She’d packed a new purchase. A thin, long-sleeved shrug. One of their regular mochaccino customers had warned her about cool, tropical ocean night air. Seemed she’d gone on a cruise, and during one of the evening island excursions in a sleeveless dress, had become uncomfortably chilled.
Her one-piece suit had covered most of her front, so only her shoulders got fried. The shrug would work perfect with her Elvira-ish outfit.
“Okay, we’re heading out. Sure you don’t want us to wait for you?” P.J. called out from the other side of the bathroom door.
“Nope, I’ll be down shortly,” she yelled back, wanting the place cleared out.
“All right. I’d say see ya there, but I guess that’s sort of missing the point,” P.J. stated as Morgan told her to hurry up. “Bye. Have fun tonight.”
“Bye.”
Finally the hut door closed. Her makeup was done and her hair dried and pinned up tightly, ready for the long, black wig.
Excitement coursed through her at the thought of gaining her desire to be unknown. To do and act like another with no one the wiser.
She slipped into the floor-length, skin-tight gown, which featured a slit from her hip all the way down. Cleavage, hell. The dress was also split from neck to belly button. Last item? The wig. Grabbing the material underneath, she pulled the mesh bottom gently over the crown of her head, tugging here and there until every hair sat perfectly in place. No way would walking in heels in sand go over, so attending barefoot seemed optimal. She wanted to enjoy herself and not be a hot, stumbling mess.
Eat your heart out, Elvira.
With one last glance in the mirror, she headed out with high hopes and a low neckline. As soon as she stepped outside, strains of music reached her ears. A live band. Wow. Nice surprise. Once she made it all the way down the path to the party, she paused to take in the magical sight.
Tiki torches lit the entire beach, along with festive paper lanterns strung from the trees along the path. Flowers that appeared to hold candles floated about in the shallows. Several bars and food tables were set up in strategic area. Island staff also walked around with trays laden with goodies. Everywhere she looked, costumed guests laughed,
Time to get her funky, masked groove on.
Chapter Fourteen
The costume shop should have been renamed Can of Sardines on account of how packed the place was. They’d elbowed their way past the masses and split as they each muscled their way toward any spot in the store still displaying costumes.
Heather had no clue how the others were making out, but so far she’d come up with nothing. Just bits and pieces of costumes. Then one came into view.
A black, Elvira-inspired dress, matching long wig, and small hat and veil to hide her face.
Perfect.
“Hey, how’d you fare?” P.J., came out with a dark bag. In fact, all the bags were opaque to prevent anyone from viewing the outfits within.
“I’m happy.”
“Well, what did you pick?” P.J. asked trying to peek in her bag.
“Not saying. I want to stay incognito for as long as possible.” She figured P.J. would push her on the issue, but she didn’t.
“Good for you girl. Go get your freak on.” P.J. winked and took off, pausing to quickly add, “Since the party doesn’t start until eight, the guys and I are heading to the waterslides. Wanna come and kill a few hours?”
“Sure.” A few hours in the sunshine, laughing with friends before, hopefully, the wildest night of her life, sounded like heaven. “Let’s do this.”
* * * *
Peachy. She’d managed to get a sunburn right before a big event. The tiny island store fortunately carried lidocaine, which P.J. helped douse her in. So much for being inconspicuous tonight.
Wait. She’d packed a new purchase. A thin, long-sleeved shrug. One of their regular mochaccino customers had warned her about cool, tropical ocean night air. Seemed she’d gone on a cruise, and during one of the evening island excursions in a sleeveless dress, had become uncomfortably chilled.
Her one-piece suit had covered most of her front, so only her shoulders got fried. The shrug would work perfect with her Elvira-ish outfit.
“Okay, we’re heading out. Sure you don’t want us to wait for you?” P.J. called out from the other side of the bathroom door.
“Nope, I’ll be down shortly,” she yelled back, wanting the place cleared out.
“All right. I’d say see ya there, but I guess that’s sort of missing the point,” P.J. stated as Morgan told her to hurry up. “Bye. Have fun tonight.”
“Bye.”
Finally the hut door closed. Her makeup was done and her hair dried and pinned up tightly, ready for the long, black wig.
Excitement coursed through her at the thought of gaining her desire to be unknown. To do and act like another with no one the wiser.
She slipped into the floor-length, skin-tight gown, which featured a slit from her hip all the way down. Cleavage, hell. The dress was also split from neck to belly button. Last item? The wig. Grabbing the material underneath, she pulled the mesh bottom gently over the crown of her head, tugging here and there until every hair sat perfectly in place. No way would walking in heels in sand go over, so attending barefoot seemed optimal. She wanted to enjoy herself and not be a hot, stumbling mess.
Eat your heart out, Elvira.
With one last glance in the mirror, she headed out with high hopes and a low neckline. As soon as she stepped outside, strains of music reached her ears. A live band. Wow. Nice surprise. Once she made it all the way down the path to the party, she paused to take in the magical sight.
Tiki torches lit the entire beach, along with festive paper lanterns strung from the trees along the path. Flowers that appeared to hold candles floated about in the shallows. Several bars and food tables were set up in strategic area. Island staff also walked around with trays laden with goodies. Everywhere she looked, costumed guests laughed,
Similar Books
