19

The night is a success for the most part. We managed to raise almost double what we projected; the guests were happy from start to finish, and I got to hold you in my arms for hours on end.

That being said, I honestly think I might be dying.

When Kate suggested I go as Batman, I didn't think much about it. I shrugged it off and told her to book the costume in my size.

I didn't take into account that my best friend can't do anything half-assed. The suit she got me is movie grade. Ninety-six percent of my body is covered in heavy ballistic fabric, spandex, and leather.

I'm wearing a walking sauna.

You love to dance, and I'm pretty sure I'd do anything to make you smile, including almost dying from heat stroke.

I tried to give it an honest go, but I could only take so much.

You were understanding when I told you I needed a break, and you didn't get a chance to be disappointed because my godson demanded that you join him and Alice for a funky chicken dance off.

I didn't see you for a while after that, and I took full advantage of the alone time. I waved the head of security over to where I was slowly boiling alive. I'm not proud of what happened while you were clucking and laughing like a hyena.

I offered Alec a hundred dollars to find a reason to come inside when he drops us off at my house and cut me out of this goddamn costume. He laughed until he realized I was dead serious, and then the fucker started bargaining with me.

Five hundred dollars on top of the outrageous amount of money I'm going to have to throw at the rental company for damages is more than worth it.

The ride home is quiet because the two sleeping kindergarteners are taking up an entire bench seat.

We all live in the same gated community but in different areas, and for some reason, Alec decides to drop us off at my house first.

I'm glaring at him when he opens the door for us because this is not part of the plan.

How the fuck am I going to get out of this prison?

You stumble out of the limo and cling to me as we make our way up the dark driveway. Any other time I'd be more than happy to have you so close, but I'm starting to panic, and it's not helping the rising temperature underneath my collar.

I unlock my front door and punch the passcode into the security system. I leave you standing in the foyer and stumble into the kitchen. I'm not sure what I need more: a glass of water or the biggest kitchen knife I can find.

"Edward?" you whisper softly, and I turn around. "Are you okay?"

It's like a dam opens wide, and I tell you about the amount of suffering I've endured in an effort to make tonight perfect.

I pull a pair of kitchen shears out of the drawer and hand them to you.

"Get me out of this thing, please," I plead.