Page 72 of Halo

She bites her lower lip as she blushes again. “Sorry … I mean—”

“There it is again!” I tease, pointing at her.

“I'm sorry—”

“Oh my God … You can't stop, can you?”

She covers her face in embarrassment. “I'm sorry—dangit!”

I laugh, pulling her close and pretending to look in the loose braid of her hair. “Where is the off switch?”

She giggles, grabbing my wrists and pulling my hands off of her.

But she doesn't let go.

Her touch lingers as our laughter fades into a comfortable silence. Our eyes meet, and just like every other time she's looked at me that way, warmth spreads through my chest before settling low in my belly.

And, fuck, I want to push her against this wall and kiss her and claim her and—

“He's over here—Nick!” The terror in Lizzie's voice cuts through the night. “Nick! Come quick! It's Grady!”

Before I can think, I break into a sprint toward the bounce houses. A wall of people has already formed, parents standing on their toes, children weaving between legs to get a better look. I shove my way through the crowd, not bothering with apologies.

Then I see him.

Julian is on the ground, cradling Grady's small body. His tiny legs kick violently as his hands claw frantically at his throat.

I lock eyes with Julian.

“Crawford!” His voice cracks. “He can't breathe!”

Chapter 18

Nick

Nothing else exists as everything happens at once.

“Call 9-1-1,” I shout, prompting several of the onlookers to grab their phones.

“Paramedics are close by because of the event,” Julian informs me as I drop to my knees.

I rip at the dinosaur costume, the fabric tearing away easily, revealing red welts blooming across his chest.

No, no, no …

I frantically glance around. “He's going into anaphylaxis—”

“Did he eat this?” Leah holds up a Reese's peanut butter cup wrapper left on top of his pumpkin bucket.

“Dad said we could each have a piece,” Lizzie answers, holding her tearful sisters close.

“Nick,” Leah grabs my attention again, “he's allergic to peanuts!”

Her voice warps and wobbles as my memory taunts me from earlier in the evening.

‘I don't eat peanuts.’

My head spins as a wave of nausea crashes over me. How the fuck did I not know this? Rage and guilt collide so violently, I can barely think.