Epilogue
My stomach flips as we get closer to the building with its wreaths of holly in the windows and the neon sign above the door.
My pride for what Aidan has accomplished has only grown over the past several months as I’ve watched him learn and adapt to this new version of himself, but seeing this project of his come to life has also made me truly respect his vision to do good.
I didn’t see it before, but every time the movie theater is full of patrons, or we happen to see a happy couple jogging on the new trail, there’s a small smile on Aidan’s face, and I get it.
I know what he’s feeling, because I feel the same thing when I watch my animals running in the open field, living a life they were so close to not having.
As we approach the building, I notice Raegan and Jamie waiting on the sidewalk.
“Hurry up!” she demands, rubbing the sleeves of her jacket for warmth. She nods to the dark tinted windows. “Let us in before I turn into a popsicle.”
Jamie moves to stand behind her and envelop himself around her shivering body. She instantly softens, adding a much nicer, “Please.”
Aidan dangles his key in a showy manner then goes to unlock the door. I feel jittery as I watch him turn the handle, sucking in a deep breath. The bar is dark as we step inside, with only the dim light from the back office to illuminate the space.
“Why are the lights out? Shouldn’t your employees be here?” I ask, but Aidan is dead still beside me.
I reach to touch his arm. “What is it?”
But it’s Jamie who speaks up. “I told you guys there was no point hiding. Trying to surprise a paranormal is pointless.”
I’m not sure what he’s talking about at first, but then I hear a quiet snicker from my other side. Before I can register that there might be more people in the room, all the lights flick on, and I’m met with almost a hundred faces grinning back at me.
The room erupts, and my heart nearly stops in my chest.
“Surprise!”
Practically everyone we know has crammed themselves into the tiny bar, and every last one of them is cheering wildly in celebration.
I lean into Aidan. “You saw them, didn’t you?”
He smirks. “They were kinda hard to miss.”
I roll my eyes and laugh. Jamie is the first to purchase a round of shots, and for the rest of the night, we drink and laugh, and I soak up time with those I’ve come to cherish.
A year ago, I never would have expected an entire town to show up for something like this, but they’ve embraced Aidan just as they’ve embraced me, even when I didn’t want them to.
We drink to Aidan’s success and try not to overdo it.
It’s a wonderful night with wonderful friends, and for the first time in a very long time, my cup is full.
I hate to think I wasted so much time feeling lonely when all I needed was right in front of me, but right now, I feel included and happy. And that’s all that matters.
I find Simone and Casey in the crowd and they both congratulate Aidan.
Simone and I have spent a lot more time together since clearing the air, and I’ve enjoyed hearing all about her journey discovering her magic.
We don’t talk about the coven, but we’re all happy to support her.
Secretly, I hope this gives Raegan an opportunity to mend things with her family.
If I’ve learned anything over the past year, it’s that holding in your feelings is never a good thing.
Aidan and I are still working on our relationship every day, but whenever we learn something new it just makes us stronger.
The more confident I grow in my feelings for him, the more I know I’ve made the right decision.
Having our friends know the truth has only made things better.
It no longer feels like an arbitrary secret, and more like something I wanted to shout from the rooftops.
I still have no interest in letting the universe, or fate, tell me who I’m meant to be with, but I’ve embraced this strange bond all the same. Because I wanted to. I fell in love just like every other human who’s come before me: messily and not without mistakes.
Eventually, Aidan and I migrate to a corner booth and sit quietly with one another while we watch the rest of the people we love laugh and drink. I quietly take his hand, and he turns to face me. He brushes my hair behind my ear and my stomach flutters.
“Hey, you wanna hear something cute?” I ask.
His eyes brighten with intrigue. “Wouldn’t I have to see it to determine its cuteness?”
I drop my forehead on his shoulder and let out an exasperated sigh. “Godamnit, Aidan,” I mumble, then lift my head to look at him again. “Just listen.”
He laughs and gives me his full focus. “Go on, then.”
From the corner of my eye, I watch Simone and Casey smiling and laughing together as they take shots. “Do you remember when things were awkward with Simone?” I ask. “After I made a dick out of myself mentioning her relationship with Casey?”
Aidan nods. “I remember you being upset.” He then leans close and whispers softly against the skin of my cheek. “I remember I helped comfort you.” His hand slides up my thigh and squeezes.
I squirm. “Yes, yes. But I heard something exciting,” I say, a huge smile stretching across my face.”
“What’s that?”
“He asked her out!” I whisper-yell, just loud enough for Aidan to hear. “They went on a real date and everything!”
The skin around his slate gray eyes crinkles. “That’s great. I’m happy for them.”
“From what I hear, they’re going to a movie tomorrow. Wanna spy on them?”
He shakes his head and scoffs. “Not a chance. Give them their space. You’d appreciate the same.”
I know he’s right, but it feels good to share something like this with him. Over the past seven months, he’s become my person—the one I want to tell first when I have good news, and the one I come to for everything else.
He squeezes my thigh again. “Thank you.”
I look up to meet his gaze. “What for?”
“For trusting me. And for letting me share all of this with you,” he says, a smile tugging on his lips as he nods, gesturing to the room around us—the business he revived. “For everything.”
I lean in and kiss his soft lips tenderly. I love this town and I love my friends, but I love these moments more. The ones where it’s just the two of us, in a little bubble we’ve created all our own.
Only, I realize we’re not alone.
I pull back as Aidan stiffens, and we both register something else has slid into the booth beside us.
A young woman with high cheekbones, a heart-shaped face, and brilliant red hair is now sitting just inches from me, her hands crossed in her lap. Her bright blue eyes, wide with fear, stare straight into my soul.
“Can we help you?” Aidan asks wearily.
But I recognize this woman with a visceral sense of deja vu.
Her hands resemble a mirage as they move to rest on the table. With a ghostly voice, she says four words that chill me to the very bone. “You can see me?”
Aidan places a protective hand across my stomach, and he moves to shift in front of me. “Yes. We both see you.”
The details of her face fade in and out of focus as her brows rise on her forehead. “Oh thank god!” she cries. She covers her eyes with her hands and her shoulders shake. “I thought it would never stop.”
“Thought what would never stop?” I ask.
The girl drops her hands and stares openly at me. “Are you a witch?”
I shake my head. “What? No. Why would you say that?”
“I need a witch, or else I’ll never figure out how to stay here.”
Aidan and I exchange a look, both of us trying to silently figure out what’s going on. “What’s your name?” Aidan finally asks.
She doesn’t make eye contact as she lowers her chin and says, “My name is Kennedy Chesterfield, and I think I’m dead.”