Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Dear Journal (NOT a fucking diary!),
I went to my first Harvest Festival planning committee meeting and just fucking went for it, telling them all my ideas.
Dr. P’s advice helped a lot. She keeps telling me to believe in myself and not let my insecurities hold me back.
A bit hokey, I know. But fuck if she wasn’t right.
I can already picture the smug look on her face when I tell her that, and it makes me want to laugh.
She’ll probably be sure to remind me about this on a regular basis now.
Anyway, they loved my business promotion ideas, and we’re talking about putting a few of them into action.
Even more importantly, my suggestion about hiring a mage went over like gangbusters.
After the Community Gathering meeting, I kept thinking about what we could do until Astraea’s son finally shows up.
No lie, he’s kinda on my shit list right now.
At first, when I had the idea about hiring a mage, I was worried they’d already considered it and it wouldn’t work.
I’m no expert on mages, but I’ve seen a few of them at work in the city before.
They know their magic, as far as I can tell, and my quick research at the library made me think they could do something for us too.
Some of them are super fucking cool too.
Turns out we need to find a mage with some specific abilities, so we’re just waiting.
Baxter’s not hopeful, but he’s got a stick up his ass over a bad breakup with a mage from way back.
Of all people, I get it, exes can suck, but one mage being an asshole doesn’t mean they all are.
Anyway, I have confidence in Astraea’s mojo.
Her ad in A.S.S.E.S. will work and we’ll make this the best Harvest Festival yet AND keep the town safe.
Look at how optimistic I’ve become. Can you even fucking believe it?
—Skylar Wright’s Personal Journal
Skylar
It’s dark when I get home from the salon, and I’m still riding high on the vibes from the committee meeting earlier.
However, I draw to a slow halt when I reach the steps leading up to the porch.
The railing now has LED fairy lights woven through it, and the arch of the doorway is decorated with strands of some kind of green stuff I think might be garland.
I’m guessing this is some of Hal’s seasonal decorating for the B&B.
But that idea gets blown out of the water when the door opens and Hal’s standing there in an apron with a tuxedo design on it, holding a huge bouquet of flowers.
My heart stutters and my fingertips go all tingly.
Hal shyly thrusts the bouquet toward me. “I picked these for you from my garden. To me, you’re so beautiful inside and out and deserve beautiful things in your life every day.”
Forget about stuttering, now my heart’s squeezing so hard in my chest that it’s difficult to breathe.
With a shaky hand, I take the bouquet. “No one’s got me flowers before,” I say, my voice raspy.
“Do… you like them?” Hal asks, expression anxious.
“Yeah. I fucking love ’em.”
His answering smile is so bright it’s almost blinding.
“I’ll give you flowers forever.”
I inhale sharply. Fuck me if that didn’t sound like a proposal of lifelong commitment.
Even more shocking is the realization that I want to hold on to his words and never let them go.
The same way I want to hold on to him.
Oh my fucking god. I’m definitely in love with Hal, aren’t I?
But then I’m hit with a sucker punch of self-doubt.
Is my trauma messing with my head or is this for real? Hal and I’ve barely been dating a hot minute here. We’re supposed to be taking it slow.
Evidently, my heart didn’t get the memo on that one.
It definitely thinks this is real.
Do not fuck this up, Skylar.
I need to talk to Dr. P before I spew my feelings all over Hal.
I clear my throat. “Do you have something I can put these in? I’d love to keep them in my room.”
Hal ushers me inside and finds a pretty glass vase in the kitchen, then helps me artfully arrange the bouquet in it and adds water. By the end, it looks like something out of Better Homes and Gardens, I shit you not.
Hal’s incredibly talented at things I totally suck at. I help him with things he isn’t good at. We actually have a lot to offer each other when I think of it like that.
“They’ll last for at least two months,” he tells me.
My eyes widen. “That long?”
He shuffles his feet. “Well, you see, I got a little help from a friend. Talia runs the flower shop downtown, and she’s a nymph.
Some of her elemental magic can help keep flowers and plants alive longer than usual.
When I put together your garden bouquet, I took it to her for some special enhancement. ”
My eyes sting a little. “You did that… for me?”
He gives me another one of those bashful smiles—those are seriously starting to slay me, by the way—and nods.
“Thank you.” My voice is so hoarse it comes out in barely a whisper. “This is the best gift I’ve gotten in years.”
He sighs in relief. “I’m so glad.” He glances at the grandfather clock. “We’ve got a dinner reservation in about twenty minutes if you want to get cleaned up first.”
Latching onto this opportunity to retreat for a few minutes and clear my mind, I leg it upstairs with my flowers and head into my room. Carefully, I put the vase on the bedside table—on a doily Hal made himself, because of course he did—and sit down to study the arrangement.
The flowers are bright and colorful and somehow scream Hal.
Before I came to Mystic Hollow, my world was a lot more fucking dark and dreary.
But this town, and Hal especially, have managed to blow all that shit away and bring things back in vibrant Technicolor.
That song about walking on sunshine’s not far from the truth for me these days.
I fight back tears of happiness, gratitude, and maybe a little bit of sadness.
Part of me wishes I’d found this place and Hal so much sooner.
But I’m trying to trust in the timing of my life, something Dr. P’s been talking about lately.
Maybe, for whatever reason, I had to walk the path I did in order to get here.
All I know is that I’m not letting go of what I have now.
Aware of the time, I hurry into my bathroom to clean up and change into a fresh pair of clothes.
For the first time in a long time, I regret the lack of any classy shit in my closet.
I make a mental note to check out Kassiel’s shop.
Maybe he’ll let me order something on layaway?
With a sigh, I put on a less-worn pair of black cargo pants and a light gray long-sleeved shirt that isn’t too wrinkled.
After making sure my hair looks good, I go back downstairs where Hal’s waiting for me.
The eager look in his eyes amps up my own excitement for tonight’s date.
We lock up the house and head hand in hand toward Mizuno’s Sushi Palace, Mystic Hollow’s premier sushi and hibachi restaurant that’s run by a family of kappas.
“I’ve really been wanting to try this place. I love hibachi but haven’t had it in years.” I search Hal’s face. “Which would you prefer? I like sushi, too.”
“Let’s do hibachi. I enjoy both, so we can try their sushi another time.” Hal squeezes my hand. “After all, I plan on lots more dates with you.”
My heart does a motherfucking cheerleading routine in my chest. I don’t think he realizes it, but Hal’s got serious romance game. Must be all those books he’s read.
Soon enough, we’re the only two seated at an open hibachi table. The little kappa chef comes out and stands on a special stool, then fires up the grill and sharpens his knives.
“Good evening, I’m Kentaro. What are you two thinking of trying this evening?”
“What do you recommend?” I ask. “Any specialties?”
The chef considers my question as he continues to prep his workspace. “Our beef and shrimp combo is a top seller. We get the beef locally and the shrimp is brought in fresh with our fish from the coast every couple of days. We just got a batch in this morning.”
“Sold!” I turn to Hal. “How about you?”
“I’ll go with the Pacific salmon and veggies.” He smiles. “Reminds me of my youth.”
I can’t hold back a grin as I watch Kentaro do his fancy knifework and start cooking the food. It’s a whole performance, and I’m enraptured the entire time. The steaming onion tower is my favorite part of the show, and I cheer him on while Hal chuckles at my side.
Once our food is ready and Kentaro serves us, he gets down from his stool and heads over to another table, where a newly arrived family is waiting.
As we eat, I tell Hal about my previous experience with this type of dining. “One time when I was a kid, my grandma took me to a hibachi place for my birthday. She had a coupon, and we shared a single hibachi meal together. It was one of the best birthdays I ever had.”
“I’m glad you had such a special time with your grandma, and I’m happy we can make more of them for you. We’ll come here as often as you like.”
I hold up my hands. “Let’s not go overboard. First, we need to start bringing more business to the B&B and I want to be in the black at the salon before fancy becomes our norm.”
Hal smiles. “Don’t worry. My life’s quite frugal for the most part.
And even though the B&B doesn’t have a lot of traffic, I make a tidy side income from selling my afghans and other crocheted items online.
Sylvia handles all the orders for me since I’m not very good with computers, as you’ve seen.
You’d be surprised at how many people want my handmade goods. I know I am.”
I shake my head. “Nah, I’m not surprised at all. You’re super talented, and I love your blankets. You can tell they’re made with love.”
He blushes, and it’s real fucking adorable.