Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Dear Journal (NOT a fucking diary—mostly),
We managed to find a mage to protect Mystic Hollow until the magic can get fixed.
While I’m relieved, it’s not for the reasons I would’ve thought.
A month ago, I would have been fixated on Damien somehow getting out of jail and finding me here, and the magic breaking down so I wasn’t safe.
Now I’m just relieved to know all the hard work Hal has put into the Harvest Festival won’t be for nothing.
His excitement for the event is catching, and I guess I just like seeing him happy.
Yep, I’ve turned into a sappy romantic. It’s all Hal’s fault. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
He’s the number one thing I think about each day.
Ms. Elvira comes in number two. Weirdly, the salon is third down the list. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited that opening day is almost here.
Finally having such a big dream become a reality means so much, and I know it’s all going to be awesome.
But at the end of the day, having Hal and our hellhound to celebrate it all with carries even more weight.
Maybe it’s because I’ve finally found the family I’ve always wanted.
Now that I have it, I don’t ever want to lose it.
I just need to figure out how to make Hal want to keep me around forever.
—Skylar Wright’s Personal Journal
Skylar
Before I open the front door, I hear the over-the-top baying of our Little Ms. Elvira.
It’s a bit of a cacophony of a welcome when three heads are greeting me instead of one.
But as soon as I enter the house, she paws happily at my legs, tails wagging, and gives me all kinds of excited kisses while I rub her many ears and scratch her back.
Fucking worth the assault on my ears.
“You’re such a stinkin’ cutie,” I tell her.
Hal pops his head out of the kitchen and beams at me.
Once again, he’s wearing one of his ever-present aprons, this one in a book pattern with the words When I’m not Cooking, I’m Reading across the front, and I can’t help but smile at the sight.
Having Hal in his aprons as my personal welcome committee every day is becoming what I can only describe as a kind of homecoming.
Knowing Hal’s here and happy to see me means more than I can put into words.
“Oh, good, you’re home early. Dinner’s in the oven to keep warm.” He brings out a big cooler on wheels and grins. “I’ve already got our meal delivery wagon ready to go.”
Fuck, he’s too goddamn precious for this world. I want to help keep that kindhearted innocence safe forever.
He’s in charge of his food mobile and I’m in charge of Elvira as we make our deliveries.
Everyone we visit is happy to see us, and Hal takes the time to introduce me and Elvira and listen to whatever stories or news folks want to share with him.
It’s clear that I’m not the only one in Mystic Hollow who loves Hal.
The gratitude from his neighbors is heartwarming, and the whole experience has serious Hallmark movie vibes.
As we empty the cooler of Hal’s prepared meals, we end up filling it back up with small gifts.
Some seeds for the garden from a brownie.
Fresh wild berries from a lamia. A jar of honey from one elderly centaur who is an amateur apiarist with active hives in his backyard.
By the time we make our way home, it’s already dark and Elvira’s tummy is growling nearly as loud as mine.
But I find I can’t take my eyes off Hal.
This gentle giant of a man doesn’t even seem to notice how fucking special he is.
There aren’t many truly generous and giving folks in this world.
In my experience, most people only give based on what they think they’ll get in return.
Not Hal, though. He’d probably give the apron off his back to a stranger in need.
I love that about him.
When I first met Hal, it was hard for me to believe that he was real.
That there could be anyone so fucking sweet and kind and who could care about me so openly and honestly.
But it wasn’t an illusion. He’s the real deal, and for some unfathomable reason, he wants to be with me.
I’m sure as shit not as selfless and giving as he is.
I’ve been burned too many times by too many people to trust blindly.
But I know that I can trust Hal, and I’m prepared to devote all I have to give to him.
For him, and only him, I will be generous, loving, and selfless.
That’s a commitment I make to myself right here and now.
When we arrive back home, I feed Elvira some of the home-cooked food Hal keeps fresh in the fridge for her, and she gets busy wolfing—no pun intended—it down.
At the stove, Hal gestures a hand toward the living room. “Why don’t you get things set up for the movie, and I’ll bring in two dinner trays full of goodies?”
We’re finally going to watch one of those Elvira-hosted B movies while enjoying our dinner together. I think it’ll be fun.
Right?
Fuck, I’m nervous for some dumb reason and second-guessing myself.
Is there a point when this nerves shit stops in a romantic relationship? And please, dear goddess above, let it be soon if there is.
I make my way to the living room, turn on the TV, and search online for one of the old episodes of Elvira’s show.
When I find one that looks cheesy and fun, I pull it up so it’s ready to go.
Meanwhile, I hear Hal talking sweetly to our Elvira as she finishes her dinner, and I can’t hold back a smile.
He’s turning out to be an awesome dad to our hellhound, just like I knew he would.
He and I are still trying to figure out all that we need to do to care for her.
Max has been giving us all kinds of helpful tips and food recipes for her, but in contrast to a typical dog, she seems pretty self-sufficient and doesn’t need the level of constant attention a normal puppy would.
When Hal and I took her for our first walk together, she acclimated to it like a natural, didn’t need any training at all, and I’m certain she’s decided she’s the queen of our block.
You can kinda tell in the way she struts down the street every morning.
I help Hal carry our dinner trays into the living room, listening while he enthusiastically explains that they’re antique TV trays but he’s retrofitted one of them to accommodate his own bigger frame.
So. Fucking. Cute.
I think that all the time around Hal, but it’s true every single time.
As we settle in on the couch, I take in the delicious-looking spread he’s made for each of us.
“I thought it might be good to go with some easier finger foods for dinner,” Hal explains, pointing to the homemade mini pizzas he’s made along with the fresh vegetable crudité and dill dip. We each also have a small bowl full of what looks to be caramel popcorn.
“You outdid yourself, Hal. This looks fantastic,” I tell him honestly.
He gives me one of those bashful smiles of his that makes my chest all tight.
This sasquatch is mine!
You better believe there’s no way I’m gonna let anyone else nab him out from under me.
Nope, I’m gonna give our relationship all I’ve got, because I know Hal’s going to do the same for me.
Sure, I don’t exactly know what I’m doing, but I’m confident Hal and I can figure it out together, like real fucking partners.
I’ve never had that before and I want to guard it with my life. Mark my words—if it’s for Hal, I think I could do almost anything.
We settle in and enjoy our delicious food as I introduce Hal to the glory of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, and cheesy horror B movies. While we watch, we laugh and talk, offering our own commentary on the silly movie.
Turning off the television when the movie ends, Hal chuckles. “Elvira is definitely the perfect name for our girl. I’m so glad I can better understand where that reference comes from. Anytime you want to do this again, I’m on board.”
As if sensing we’re talking about her, Elvira prances into the room, all smiles, and when we push our trays to the side, she jumps up onto the couch between us and curls up contentedly.
It’s my turn to chuckle. “She’s made herself at home awfully damn fast, hasn’t she?” I reach out and stroke the top of one of her heads. “You know a good thing when you see it, don’t you, girl?”
And I can’t blame her. I feel the same way.
Hal gets up, preparing to clean the dishes, and I stop him.
“Nope, no way, man. I’m doing the dishes tonight. You did all the cooking, so I can do the cleaning.”
Hal wrings his hands. “Are you sure? You must be tired after working so hard at the salon.”
“Sure, but you did too,” I counter. “Just because you were working here doesn’t mean it was any less hard.
I know how much time and effort you put into maintaining this place and all the stuff you’re doing for the Harvest Festival on the side.
” I take hold of his big, warm hand. “Please, let me do this. If we’re boyfriends, we need to be able to share responsibilities in the house. ”
He caves, nodding in agreement. “You’re right.”
Heck yeah, I am. Getting him to let me wash the dishes feels like a small victory.
I smile. “Why don’t you go take Little Ms. Elvira for her after-dinner evening walk while I get everything done in the kitchen?”
“You don’t want to come with us?” That is definitely punctuated with a pout.
So fucking adorable.
“Usually I would, but tonight, it’s time for payback.”
His eyes widen. “What?”
I flash a wicked grin. “This date isn’t over yet. We’re going to my salon next, and you’re going to be my first haircut in Mystic Hollow, babe.”