Chapter Eleven
Chapter Eleven
G us explained Diane’s sudden departure, then took Sirena over to the Weisz Market booth. She purchased not only his hot apple cider but also a cold cider for herself. They walked around the festival until they found a seating area surrounded by hay bales, pumpkins, and flowerpots. Gus sat down on a bale of hay. He gently patted the space next to him. Sirena eased herself down onto the seat, brushing up against Gus. Instead of the usual buzzing, his body hummed, which was a bit more pleasant. Maybe the kiss had helped him adjust to her magic.
“I’m impressed with Diane’s work at the playhouse,” Sirena said. “I used to love story hour when I was little.”
Gus scratched his chin. “Let me guess. You probably love Cinderella .”
“I don’t. I’m all about the witch in Hansel and Gretel ,” she said.
Well, that was unexpected. He didn’t think that she’d be a fan of the story of two kids who had to outlast a witch who wanted to have them for an evening snack. From what he had noticed, Sirena enjoyed working with the little ones who came in for Caregiver Corner on Thursday.
Sirena let out an impressed whistle. “Can you imagine the potbelly stove that witch must have had? I’d love to have a kitchen like that.”
Laughter welled up inside him. “You know there’s more to that fairy tale.”
She shook her head. “Yes, I’m aware, but in my story, the witch gives the house to the kids.”
Gus laughed softly. “Okay. Keep going.”
Sirena propped her hand on her chin. A flash of amusement entered her eyes. “The witch goes off to live in a cottage. She’ll open a bakery and sell tea cakes to the villagers.” She played with her bottle’s label. Her voice grew soft, dreamy. “Or maybe she’ll find a castle by the sea where she can live in peace.”
She stared off into space, as if her mind was playing out the story for her. “That’s a happily-ever-after I could get behind.”
“I like how your story ends,” he said.
Sirena sipped from her bottle. “I might write it down.”
Gus drank his apple cider, letting the heated drink warm him up in the cool air. Flashes of last night flickered in his mind like a photo gallery. The confession. The note. The kisses. Since they were alone now, he figured it was a good time to talk about it.
“How are you feeling?”
Sirena sighed. “I’m better, thanks. I appreciate you listening to me vent last night.”
“It was my pleasure.”
“I never did get my root beer,” she joked.
Gus winced. “Check the fridge when you come in on Monday. I might have bought a case or two for you.”
Sirena smiled, and his heart nearly doubled in size. “Gus, you’re going to spoil me.”
“A deal’s a deal,” he said.
After Gus had dropped Sirena off at home, he’d driven over to the J. J. Newberry superstore in Meadowdale and bought her two large cases of organic root beer. He left them in the fridge to chill so they would be nice and cold for her. One kiss, and he was already running around trying to impress her. Maybe he could invite her to Jess’s wedding and see where things went between them. Stop. Slow down , his head warned. Act rational.
Her smile faded a bit. Discomfort entered her eyes. “Last night was… nice, but I have a lot going on with me. I want to focus on my career, my magic, and my upcoming interview.”
His face furrowed. “Okay.”
“I don’t want anything serious now. I only want to have—” Sirena cut herself off, as if trying not to hurt him with her next words.
“Fun,” he supplied. His heart contracted a tiny bit. That was the deal he agreed to, but for an instant he forgot and got caught up in the moment.
She let out a big sigh of what sounded like relief. “Yes. Is that okay? I still want to have fun with you, but can we stay friends? If it’s too much, we can call it off.”
The man Gus used to be years ago would’ve loved this arrangement. No real commitment. No promises. But now he was done being a good time. He sought to be someone’s forever. But he understood that she didn’t want to lead him on and make him believe that there could be more between them.
“Consider it a simple kiss between friends,” he said.
She blushed. There’s nothing simple about the kiss he gave her last night, and he knew it.
“So, when can I expect this great dinner?”
Sirena’s brow popped up to her hairline. “You still want me to cook for you? Even after everything I said last night, you’re still game?”
“I’d be a fool not to try your food,” he said. “I’m in if you’re in.”
“Thanks, Gus. I just remembered something about that carrot recipe.” Sirena put down her bottle and took out a notebook and pen from her tote. “If I don’t write it down, I’ll forget it.”
After jotting her note, she said, “I’ve got to prep and get a few more herbs, but I’ll be ready by Friday. Are you free Friday night?”
He wanted Sirena to feel comfortable in her own space when she cooked. “I’m free. I’ll come to your house.”
“No, I’ll meet you at the society.” Sirena gasped and slapped her notebook as if she just remembered something else. “You know my sister Lucy?”
Gus nodded slowly. He and Lucy’d had a nice conversation about teaching with primary sources after Gus had asked about Sirena’s qualifications.
“You’ve got a gem with Sirena,” Lucy had said. “She’s the smartest chef and witch you’ll ever meet. Treat her right.”
Gus had promised that he’d take care of Sirena, and he was a man of his word.
Sirena rubbed her hands together. “Well, Lucy’s getting married, and she’s looking for a location for the wedding and ceremony. I need to know more about renting out the society.”
Gus went into steward mode and started reciting details. “Yes, members can rent out the first two floors and the library for events. Guests are responsible for cleaning and any damages, but the space is available on a first come, first served basis. All we need is a deposit to hold your date.”
Sirena cheered. “Great. Check your email, and she’ll fill you in on the details.”
“I try not to check my emails on the weekend, but I’ll take a look when I get home.”
“Gus, you’re my personal hero right now.”
“We have some availability in December,” he said.
Sirena grimaced. “I don’t know if she’s looking to get married that soon, but I’ll let her know.”
Sirena jotted down another note to herself in the pages, then closed it.
Gus glanced at the cover.
It was an illustrated painting of a woodland fox dancing in a forest. “You like foxes.”
She touched the cover with her fingertips. “I’ve always liked them. I even did a report on them in third grade. I practiced for days, repeating my facts. Red foxes are omnivorous, have large ears that help them track prey, and dig dens in sand.”
Gus studied her. “Red foxes are also monogamous,” he added. “They seek their mate in the fall to keep them warm in the winter. Yeah, I know way too much about local animals.”
She gave him an impressed glance. “I like it. You’re telling me foxes have a cuffing season.”
“Yes, but it lasts the rest of their lives,” he said.
Cuffing season, from October to February, was the prime time when single folks looking to cuddle up during the colder months pursued a short-term situationship. Unfortunately, one effect of this season was that those who got cuffed up often got wifed up in the spring.
“It makes sense that humans do the same thing when the weather turns cold,” Sirena admitted.
Sirena dropped her notebook in her shopper tote. Gus used to love to cuff up a cutie who was looking to get through the holiday season without commitments. Sirena wasn’t wrong. It was natural to want someone to wait out the dark nights and spend the holidays with. Gus noticed that many of his friends were getting engaged or married during this time. Countless friends on social media started the new year with joyful engagement posts and sparkling rings. His thoughts flirted with the idea of being cuffed up to anyone. No, not anyone. Sirena. Would she throw a fuzzy blanket over them on the couch? Or would she want to get cozy by a roaring fireplace? Friends could get cozy.
“Who doesn’t want to get nice and cozy with a warm body?”
He noticed a blush in her cheeks that made her look rosy.
“Tell me something I don’t know,” she said.
“I like cozy things,” he said suddenly.
He was a big man who enjoyed the few moments of comfort he allowed himself. Good food. Good drink. Good company. Sirena sipped from her cider, trying to hide a smile behind her bottle. Gus merely stared, dazed once more by her beauty. It was impossible. Sirena trying to hide her smile was like trying to hide the moon with your hand. It was futile, to try to hide such natural beauty. “What else don’t I know about you?” she asked.
“I collect coins. It’s a hobby I shared with my grandpa.”
“I assumed you’d collect something less—” Her face furrowed as she seemed to search for the correct word.
“Boring?” he offered.
She gave him a small grin. “No, I’d thought you’d collect something sillier. I was expecting you to collect magic potions, or baby dragons.”
Gus sputtered, unable to hide his bewilderment. “Baby dragons?! Come on, now. I barely remember to feed Cinder. I couldn’t imagine how to care for a dragon.”
“I’m sure you have a book that can help you,” she teased. “You’re a Dearworth.”
Gus bristled a little bit at her words. They did have a book in the library about dragon care, but he wasn’t going to admit that out loud. His bewilderment increased once he heard those recognizable words. He knew what those words meant to his family, but what could they mean to someone as talented as Sirena?
She must have noticed the confusion play on his face because she spoke up. “When I say ‘You’re a Dearworth,’ I mean you are extraordinary.”
The air rushed out of his lungs. He couldn’t respond even if he wanted to, but he just wanted to hear her talk. “People like you because you remind them of good times. People say to me, ‘You’re a Caraway; of course you have that homebound magic, of course you have a big heart.’ They find comfort in the spells we cast and the magic we perform.”
Gus sat there, taking in her words. He continued to get fan messages and emails from new magicians who wanted to talk about his craft. The guilt Gus felt for leaving his career and his fans eased a fraction as he considered what she told him.
Sirena took out the magician’s piece from her purse. “I’m sure you want this back.”
She held it out to him. He waved her off. “Keep it. I like knowing it’s safe with you.”
Sirena held it, then tucked it in her pocket. “How useful is a two-headed coin?”
“There are some things you don’t leave up to fate,” he said. That day by the balloon pop, Gus wanted to bend fate to his will and wanted to spend time with Sirena. Fate had been kind to him and now she was becoming a close friend of his. He was lucky to have Sirena in his life.
“You can start a coin collection if you want,” he said.
Sirena snorted. “I’m terrible at collecting valuable things.”
Gus gave her a sideways glance. He noticed the way she followed the rules, caring for the documents with the skill of a trained archivist. She didn’t seem like the type of person who was careless with objects or people.
Sirena peered at him. “I told you I used to collect snow globes. I mean, my collection was only two globes, but they were mine. They weren’t anything too special, but they captured special life moments.”
He leaned closer to her. “Tell me about them.”
Sirena sighed, and her eyes lit up. “Oh, one had a cityscape of New York, and another had a figure of the Statue of Liberty. I bought them when I moved to New York. I lived in a four-story walk-up and could only afford hot buttered rolls, but I was cooking in a real kitchen. I made it, you know. People came from around the world to taste my food. They asked for my menu.”
“I hear you,” he said. “I felt the same way when I became a headliner. My name was first on the marquee and people were coming to see my magic. I took a dozen pictures of that sign.”
The light in her eyes dimmed. “Mama told me Nana was sick and needed a caregiver. I was in between jobs; I was feeling burned out and tapped out creatively. I volunteered to come home and help take care of Nana Ruth. My globes broke when I was packing up to move back to the Grove. I took it as a sign that I wasn’t meant to keep anything pretty.”
She finished her drink, then tossed the bottle into the nearby recycling bin. He wanted to lift up her spirit and see the light return to her.
“Let’s play a game,” he offered.
“Okay, but let’s make it short. I’ve got a date with a bookstore.”
Oh. His gut twisted into something ugly that he didn’t like. Was he jealous?
“Lucy invited me to check out some new books,” she added. “I don’t want to be late.”
He had no reason to be jealous, because— knucklehead —she wasn’t his girlfriend.
“Let’s play I Spy,” she said.
He let out a laugh. “I haven’t played that game in years.”
“You know the rules?”
“Let me guess. Pick an object that everyone can see and give a clue with the letter, color, or an adjective that describes the object. If the other person can’t guess, they can ask for a hint until they get it, but they lose a turn.”
She gave him a thumbs-up. “You got it. Let’s go for a few rounds.”
The Harvest Festival was the perfect place to play the game since the space had dozens if not over a hundred things to spy.
Gus decided to go easy on her for now. “I spy with my eye something… orange.”
Sirena pointed to the pile of pumpkins next to them. Gus shrugged. “Eh, there are a lot of orange things around here, but you’re right.”
“I spy… something blue,” she said.
Oh. Gus glanced around the Farmers Square, scanning the booths for anything blue. His eyes landed on the Loops with Love booth filled with knitted and crochet hats, scarves, and beanies. The vendor, who had curly silver hair down to her shoulders, which popped against her pretty black skin, and wore a knitted sweater, gave them a friendly wave.
He waved back. “It’s the blue knit caps for sale.”
Sirena narrowed her eyes and smiled. “You got it, but I thought that was crochet. Anyway, I think that color would look good on you. It’ll bring out your eyes.”
Gus felt his cheeks glow under the compliment. He’d never had anyone talk about his eyes, but he’d take it. When he was performing, he wore every shade of the rainbow—every sequin and beaded outfit known on earth, just to stand out onstage. Now he was more drawn to tweeds and plaids that helped him blend into the background.
“I’ll leave my merfolk to rock the blues and greens. Also, I have a weird time with hats. I let my hair grow out for the winter and it catches on any hats without a lining.”
Sirena studied his hair closely. “I wish I had your curls.”
“Thanks,” he said.
“Your turn.”
He was ready to turn up the heat. “I spy something… brown.”
Sirena brightened. “Okay, now we’re talking.”
She scanned the booths, clicking her tongue in thought. A few minutes passed, and she made an annoyed sound. “Ahh—you win. Give me a letter!”
“Okay, it starts with a B.”
She pointed with her chin to the Madame Mystic booth a few feet away. “It’s a broom.”
“You got it,” he said.
Sirena blew out a breath. “I should’ve known. Witch. Broom. Don’t tell anyone, but I like to use a power mop, too.”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
“I lose a turn. You go again.”
Gus looked at Sirena. “I spy something beautiful,” he said thoughtfully.
Her brown eyes swept over the booths and stands. Her brow furrowed in confusion as she continued to search for the item in question.
Sirena tapped her chin. “Where?”
Gus noticed something different about Sirena each time they met. She ran to his office to show him an old troll dip recipe or a sheet of pressed flowers, doing her usual excitement shimmy dance.
How she had fun with her braids, arranging them into different creative updos and styles every time he saw her. She loved wearing shades of red, from deep scarlet to bright cherry. How she made little gasps whenever she found a note or a picture that interested her. She was always concerned about him and the people she cared for.
Sirena fed his soul in small, gentle ways.
He stared at her, so she wasn’t mistaken about who he was talking about.
Realization sparked in her eyes. She blushed, her cheeks turning a lovely pink.
Sirena took Gus by the arm. What was another kiss between friends? She looked at him, her stare unwavering. “I spy something enchanting,” she said quietly.
Sirena hesitated, but then she moved in and kissed his cheek. Her lips felt soft and tender, like a stray leaf against his face. He held her for a quick, tight hug. Bliss strummed in his chest at their contact. He had waited so long to find a soul that moved in harmony with his and now he knew that he connected with hers.