Chapter 36
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Luka
A gentle breeze cools my skin. It’s a beautiful sunny day with the perfect amount of cloud coverage to shield us from the scorching sun.
I couldn’t ask for better weather or a better turnout. I can already see a crowd beginning to form as they wait for us to open the gates. Who would’ve thought this little town festival would become such a huge attraction?
All this festival needed was for someone to breathe life back into it, and the people of this town stepped up and did the rest. The day hasn’t even begun, and it’s easy to see we’re already off to a great start.
I was lucky to have a leg up on the planning: Ivy was the one who created the template. All I had to do was follow it.
She’s been amazing over these past few weeks, helping me sort through the vendors and coordinate the schedule. After talking with Ivy, we’re pretty sure user error in reading the schedule was the biggest hurdle that impacted last year’s festival. Our volunteers aren’t exactly the most tech-savvy.
So that’s where I started. Automating the schedule was pretty easy, and surprisingly fun once I understood what I was looking at.
From there, it was as simple as following Ivy’s notes. L.O.K.I. helped me reach out to last year’s vendors and added a few new ones to keep things exciting.
Per Ivy’s suggestion, we did away with the petting zoo. I, for one, have no interest in chasing runaway ponies.
I let Miss Scarlett have her Kissing Booth, which I’m sure will draw a crowd, and Lucy’s hosting a pie-eating contest that anyone would be crazy not to enter.
There are a few new experimental attractions this year as well.
For instance, Fergus wanted to host a live The Price is Right game show with grocery items and paper goods from Market, and Clyde will be walking around the square performing magic tricks throughout the day.
I’m not sure how either will go over, but who am I to turn down volunteers who are eager and willing to throw it together? It’s no skin off my back if they’re willing to put in the work.
Last year, we wrapped the festival with a parade to celebrate my dad’s retirement, as he crowned Leo the new CEO of Kingsley Industries. But this year I may have taken a few creative liberties and planned something a little more exciting.
As for this year’s big attraction, I’ve got a few surprises up my sleeve.
Scout and I are seated at the entry gate, walkie-talkies in hand as we do a quick roll call.
“Looks like that’s everyone.” I look to Scout, who seems surprisingly calm, all things considered. “You ready?”
“Let’s do this,” she says with a smile.
I click on my walkie and say, “James, you can open the gate.”
The crowd of people slowly flood in as we scan tickets and stamp hands. Seeing all their smiling faces fills me with so much gratitude, knowing I had a part in bringing this festival to life. Even if the responsibility was forced on me.
“Welcome to Phantom Fest,” I say as I stamp someone’s hand. I pass her a brochure with a detailed schedule. “Make sure you stop by Theater during one of the showtimes to catch a special performance from the Phantom.”
Her eyes go wide as she takes the brochure, flipping it open to read more. “The Phantom, huh? I’ll be sure to check it out.”
Scout looks at me out of the corner of her eye. “You didn’t tell me there was a Phantom performance.” She quirks a brow as she scans another ticket. “Does this mean you and Guy will be dressing up and reenacting the Phantom encounter, again?”
“How do you know about that?” I ask, genuinely surprised. Scout didn’t come to last year’s festival. I thought that secret would die with me and everyone else who was there.
“Your mom showed me the video of last year’s performance...” She admits, her cheeks turning pink as she tries to hold back her laughter.
“I knew I shouldn’t have left you two alone.” I shake my head, but I can’t even pretend to be mad, especially because she looks so fucking cute when she laughs.
“So are you going to tell me what it really is?” she finally asks.
“Nah. I think I want you to be surprised like everyone else.”
She shrugs as she scans more tickets. “I do love surprises.”
I flash her a wink. “I know.”
After the initial morning rush, Scout and I split up, leaving Colleen in charge of the entry booth. She’s helping with the face painting booth in the kiddie area while I make my rounds, Lucy’s pie-eating contest being my first stop.
“Can you believe this turnout?” Lucy says as she sneaks me a piece of warm apple pie. Hazel, Paige, and Mayor Stone are all helping her judge.
“Seems to be flowing well so far.”
“Well, I’m not the least bit surprised.” She nudges my shoulder and gives me a wink. “I always knew you had it in you.” She turns to leave, making her way back to sit with the other judges, leaving me stunned and speechless.
I scoff a laugh. “That would’ve been nice to know three months ago,” I mumble under my breath as I make my way to my next stop.
When I arrive at Miss Scarlett’s Kissing Booth, I’m met with a line at least fifty deep.
I’m making my way to the front when I feel someone grab my arm. “Hey, man, you can wait your turn like everyone… Oh, it’s you,” Fergus says as he applies a layer of cherry Chapstick to his lips.
I nod toward the empty booth where a sign tells me they’re taking a five-minute break. “What’s going on up there? Is everything okay?”
Gus tries to act casual, waving me off. “Oh yeah. I think she just needed a break to rehydrate.” He glances over his shoulder, looking annoyed.
“Line’s been out to the road all day. There’s been quite a few repeat customers, too.
” His lip curls in disgust as he glares at someone in front of him.
“I’ve been sticking around, making sure no one gets handsy. ”
I take note of the ticket in his hand and force myself to hold back my grin. “Right. Well, I know I can count on you to make sure things don’t get out of hand.”
“‘Course Scarlett had to wear that low-cut top,” he mumbles more to himself than to me. “I swear she does it on purpose, just trying to get under my skin.”
“You’re probably right, Gus. The only way to get through to a brat is by beating her at her own game.”
He looks at me. “How do I do that?”
“You’ve got to knock her socks off, man.
When you get up there, you lay one on her so passionately that you make her forget her own name.
.. And then you walk away, leave her hanging.
” I give his shoulder a friendly pat. “I promise you, man, you kiss her like that, and she’ll be chasing after you to get another piece of Fergus Fletcher. ”
“Thanks, Luka,” he says, and I swear I catch a glimmer in his eye. “You know, you’ve really surprised me today.” He gestures around us. “All of this turned out great. I mean… I can’t be sure entirely since you blocked the mural off… But you’ve done a good job bringing this festival together.”
I hold my hand over my heart. “Thanks, Gus, that means a lot coming from you.”
He gives me a nod, then pulls out his tube of Chapstick and coats his cracked lips in another layer.
Miss Scarlett returns to her seat. When she sees me, she gives me a thumbs up and silently mouths, “Good job. I’m so proud of you.”
Smiling, I nod and give her a wave, as my chest swells with sweet relief. It’s only after I’ve walked away that I realize their words of approval are filling cracks in my heart I never knew existed.
I check the time on my watch and click on my walkie-talkie. “Scout, can you meet me outside Theater in five?”
“Be right there,” she says right back.
I make one more stop before heading that way.
Scout’s eyes light up when she sees me, and I can’t get over how much lighter she seems. Her legs are tan in her cutoff denim shorts, and the baby pink tube top she’s wearing is giving my roaming eyes entirely too much skin to work with.
I pull her in for a hug, breathing in the scent of her shampoo before pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
“You’re too fucking pretty to be walking around by yourself.
” I grab her hand and straighten her ring, making sure the diamond is clearly in view.
“Maybe we should get you a bigger ring. I’m not sure this one is obvious enough. ”
She giggles and pushes me in the chest. “I love this ring and anything bigger would look like costume jewelry.” Her eyes flash over me like she’s trying to read me. She lifts a perfectly arched brow. “Why have I been summoned here?”
I hook an arm over her shoulder and lead her to the entrance. Looks like we’re right on time to catch the first performance. “It’s a surprise, remember?”
She pinches my side.
We make our way inside the historic theater, following the Phantom posters
“Is this new carpet?” Scout asks, her head shifting side to side as she looks around.
“Oh my God, and the lights…” she points to the line of sconces illuminating the hallway.
“Those are beautiful. When did they renovate? I think the last time I was here was for my dance recital when I was twelve… It looks so good.”
“Yeah, you like it?”
“Wait. Did you do this?” She asks, clearly shocked. “When?”
“About two months ago… when I got the idea for the show.” I lead her to the front row, where we take our seats.
The auditorium is completely dark, apart from the single spotlight illuminating the red velvet curtains, but it’s easy to see the whole theater looks brand new. The seats are cushioned and plush, and there’s extra leg space between each row.
Soft music plays in the background as people file inside, the air conditioning a welcome reprieve from the outside heat. I pull out the candy from my pocket and pass it to her, and Scout flashes me an excited smile.
I fucking love that smile.
Linking our fingers together, I press a kiss on the back of her hand just as Guy takes the stage and the crowd falls quiet.