Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Three
P arty guests lingered on the porch of the historical society, muffled music could be heard from outside, and a line of lit pumpkins tied with black ribbons around the stems decorated the front lawn. Gus dropped Sirena in the front and went to park the car behind the house. Sparkly magic and mayhem oozed from the roof. She walked inside and moved toward the sound of guests chatting over funky, bouncy music.
Burning candles with fragrance notes of hot cinnamon sticks and fresh grated clove hovered overhead. She joined the guests standing around the massive living room, the chairs and sofas artfully arranged in circles. Winding her way around the party, she narrowly avoided a group of dapperly dressed gnomes slamming back half-filled beer steins. Sleek elves, jovial water sprites, fae, and witches adorned in various costumes were cradling snacks and drinks in their hands and paws. She reviewed the bubbling cauldron in the hearth, filled to the brim with an oozing green brew.
It couldn’t be denied. The Dearworths knew how to throw a party.
Glass bowls of red delicious apples were placed on various tabletops, along with glass jars of roasted chestnuts, wrapped candies, and popcorn balls. She found Gus. He faced Sirena and a roguish grin crossed his face, as if he was imagining something devious. Like snapping his fingers and making her clothes disappear. Fissures of excitement went through Sirena, turning her knees to jelly. Girl, stand up. You don’t need to break your other wrist.
Diane hugged her and gave her a quick makeover in the bathroom. She painted her face with gold and glitter makeup, swearing that Sirena needed to sparkle a little for tonight. When Diane presented a sparkly Sirena to a waiting Gus, he pressed his hand to his heart and swooned.
Gus introduced Sirena to his friend Zeke, who kissed her free hand like a knight in waiting. He was tall and lanky and barely filled out his armor.
He gave her a critical, assessing squint. “What are you dressed as?”
“I’m an overworked, underpaid witch with a broken wrist,” she said without missing a beat.
Gus held back a laugh. Zeke looked taken aback for an instant.
His eyes, a shade of raw honey, shined. “I like you.”
There was a blast of music from the speakers in the corner of the living room that had been turned into a makeshift dance space. Cheers went up from the crowd at the first recognizable notes of the song. Guests started slinking to the music and grooving. Sirena listened for a moment, then smiled. The smooth falsetto of the singer echoed through the air along with the deep bassline and steady guitar.
She bopped her body to the music. “I haven’t heard this song in a minute.”
Gus rubbed the back of his neck. “Same here.”
They stood there awkwardly, like two sheepish kids at a middle school dance. Zeke stood there between them like a chaperone, giving them encouraging looks.
After about ten seconds, Sirena took Gus by the hand and led him out onto the floor.
They needed to dance out these emotions. “Let’s go, Dearworth.”
He twirled her once, eliciting a giggle from Sirena and pulled her into his space. They danced jubilantly as the playlist rolled on. Gus brushed the dirt off his shoulder. Sirena gestured her unhurt hand like the single lady that she truly was. They rocked back and forth, losing themselves to the music. There was a brief pause before the next song, letting them catch their breath. Sirena studied Gus. His skin had a sheen of sweat on it, making him shine in the low lights. She yearned to kiss him clean.
Another song played. It was slower, sultrier than the previous ones. Sirena stopped once she heard the full blast of the singer’s honey butter voice. This tune absolutely wasn’t a Halloween song; this was a grab-your-lover-and-make-them-perspire-until-the-morning-light song.
It was a grind-up-against-a-willing-dance-partner jam.
Gus held out his arms. Sirena stepped into them, folding herself into the heat of his body. She took in the lyrics. The singer crooned about missing her estranged love and yearning for them. Sirena nestled herself against him and pressed her ear to his chest. His heart pounded out a steady rhythm that made her feel as if nothing in the world could harm her. She burrowed closer, wrapping her hands around his waist, his scent enveloping her and making her feel secure. His arms tightened and held her to him, and she did the same. She pinched her eyes shut, and for a second, all Sirena wanted was to make a bed here in his arms, so she could fall asleep listening to his heartbeat. Whoa. Her eyes snapped open, dazed by that thought. A flash from behind Sirena pulled her out of the bubble and forced her to glance around. Why wasn’t anyone else dancing? They were the only ones on the dance floor, while everyone else stood off to the side, watching them.
Sirena lowered her voice. “Everyone’s looking at us.”
She felt his lips move against her forehead. “Are they? I didn’t notice.”
His voice came out grumbly and sincere. Gus pressed a quick kiss to her temple.
Diane’s high voice called out above the music. “It’s time for cake! Where’s Gus?”
He leaned in to steal a kiss, but Sirena pressed a finger to his lips. Gus playfully nipped at it, then stepped back.
“Pause,” she whispered.
He pressed one last kiss to her hand. Yes, they’d hit pause for now, but eventually they would pick up where they left off. How could she be so spellbound over a man she barely knew? Sirena, Zeke, and the other guests all squeezed into the dining room. Gus and Diane stood at the head of the table, in front of the three-tier cake adorned with a large candle. “It’s cake time.”
Sirena let out an exhale. Zeke slid next to her, playfully bumping her with his shoulder.
He spoke under his breath. “I thought we were never going to get any cake. The night’s almost over.”
That’s right. Her stomach dipped like she was riding in a descending elevator. Tonight was the last night of the time loop, and it looked as though she hadn’t made good with her second chance. Hopelessness clawed at her throat, rendering her speechless. Sirena’s heart pounded against her ribs. No! This night was when everything went wrong and… She wasn’t that same witch.
This time would not be stolen from her.
Her wrist was broken, she hadn’t heard anything from Lighthouse about the job offer, and she hadn’t done anything meaningful with the society notebook. Sirena felt lost. Yet, as lost as she felt, there was a sense of hope that she hadn’t felt that previous night in the kitchen. Every day could be her second chance to find the satisfaction that she yearned for with every breath. She wanted… satisfaction. In her career. In her life. In her spirit.
Sirena glanced over at Gus, and the fire within her body flared. It became crystal clear. She didn’t need or want the month to repeat.
Diane clapped her hands, breaking into Sirena’s thoughts. “Let’s light this candle. Everyone, let’s sing.”
She led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday,” and the guests became joyous and raucous. Zeke was one of the loudest singers, using his baritone voice to carry the low notes. Gus ducked his head down and bit his lip, as if embarrassed by all the attention.
Sirena wanted to take him by the hand and lift his head up. As if he heard her, his head snapped up, and he found her in the crowd. She blinked. Were her eyes playing tricks on her? She could see Gus older, just as handsome, being sung to over a cake with many candles, his face covered in smile lines, his curly hair a lovely shade of gray. Sirena blinked again and he was youthful.
“Make a wish!” Diane sang. Gus’s and Sirena’s eyes met over the flame. There were moments in life that Sirena would never forget: the first spell she cast, the first time a dish stole her breath, and this moment. It wasn’t love at first sight, but rather a faint recognition that she felt down to her soul. There you are. Where have you been all this time? The candle on the cake bloomed like a sparkler. The room filled with candlelight and enchantment. Everywhere. All at once. Guests clapped and gasped at the display.
Zeke let out a low, impressed whistle. “What a show.”
She held Gus’s stare. Sirena had seen Gus around town and spoken to him plenty of times, but in the candlelight tonight she truly saw him. She saw the glimmer of innate magic that shone in his face. He didn’t move as the flame settled down into a flicker. Diane leaned in and whispered a few words in Gus’s ear. He refocused his attention on the glowing candle. The spell was broken between them. He took in a deep breath and blew out the candle.
Did he make a wish? Sirena wondered.
Suddenly, the entire space was plunged into darkness. A collective gasp of shock erupted from the crowd, and cell phone lights turned on. Zeke grumbled, and a key chain flashlight turned on, illuminating the darkened room. Diane clapped her hands.
The lights flipped on, but the magician had vanished.