Night Whispers - Leslie Kelly [46]
Kelsey shook her head and continued sewing. The two of them were finishing off the last bits of the costume. Material, clothing and accessories were strewn over most of Kelsey’s apartment. Her home looked like a theater dressing room.
“No. I haven’t seen much of him this week.”
“That’s good. I somehow suspect he might rethink this whole Halloween costume if he saw it too far in advance.”
“He already knows what he’s wearing…pretty much,” Kelsey said with a chuckle.
“How’s the hair coming?” Celia asked. “Was it uncomfortable to sleep in last night?”
“A little.” Kelsey shook her head lightly. The waxed paper that she’d tightly wound around locks of hair all over her head crinkled with every movement. “But it will be worth it. Wait and see.”
After they finished everything, including lowering the neckline of Kelsey’s blouse once more, Celia said, “Why don’t you let me run Mitch’s costume down to him so he doesn’t see you before tonight. It might be bad luck. Oh, that’s just for weddings, right?”
Kelsey grinned and walked Celia to the door, thanking her profusely for all her help. After the other woman left, Kelsey glanced at the clock and saw it was only two. She took a bath, being careful to avoid getting her wrapped hair wet. She soaked for a long time, then got out and rubbed her body with a fragrant, flowery lotion. Pampering herself yet more, she spent another half hour doing her nails, painting them a ruby red. Finally she took a few minutes and began pulling the wax paper out of her hair.
When she was finished, Kelsey shook her head, laughing in delight at the effect. Crinkly, flowing curls cascaded down her back almost to her bra line, bouncing with every move. After applying her makeup with a heavy hand, she surveyed herself in the mirror. The riot of curls framed her dramatically made-up face. She struck a pose, pursing her lips and lifting an eyebrow. She looked exotic, enticing even. Good. That was just what she was shooting for.
“SHE WANTS TO TORTURE ME,” Mitch said aloud as he stared down at the indecently tight pants he’d just put on. They were a shiny black material and fit like a second skin. Mitch wondered if she’d written his measurements down wrong. Probably not. Knowing Kelsey, she’d fully intended for them to be as outrageous as possible. She’d had a mischievous sparkle in her eye lately, and he imagined dressing him in a sexy pirate costume was her way of getting back at Amanda for her high-handed treatment. He couldn’t look less like Fred Astaire unless he dyed his hair red and put on a clown suit.
Mitch reached for the rest of the costume Celia had delivered earlier in the day, marveling at how complete it was in every detail. Yanking on the accompanying black leather boots, he wasn’t surprised to see they came all the way to his knees, covering the bottom of the obscenely tight pants. The shirt was a little better, he thought as he pulled the flowing material over his head. It was white cotton with long, billowing sleeves that gathered at the wrist and spilled lace over his hands. The front had no buttons, instead lacing up with string from his abdomen to his throat, and he left it loose. Celia had told him the bright red silk scarf was to wear around his hips. Mitch quickly wrapped and tied it. Finally he worked up the nerve to look at himself in the mirror, and his jaw dropped. Then he slowly grinned. He looked like some male stripper dressed up for a woman’s pirate fantasy.
“Oh, what the hell,” he said, laughing out loud. It was one night. It was Halloween. It was for Kelsey. Tonight, Mitch would be a pirate.
AT A FEW MINUTES BEFORE SEVEN, Kelsey heard a knock on her apartment door. Glancing in the mirror one more time, she quickly checked her makeup and called out, “Just a minute, Mitch.”
The long rain cape she’d borrowed from Celia lay on a chair by the door, and Kelsey quickly pulled it on, completely covering herself from head to mid-calf. She tucked a few errant curls against her neck, then buttoned the cape.
“Right on time,” she said as she yanked the door open, determined