Chapter Thirty-Four
TYLER
I’ve had a permanent smile on my face since Wednesday when I told Gemma my true feelings, and I meant every word.
Everleigh has called out my change in demeanor a dozen times, and Jerry’s even made a comment about my giddiness.
Though we’re not announcing our relationship status to the world, it’s not being kept a secret either.
It’s fun to give the whole damn town something to talk about.
I woke up fairly early this morning because I had a training session from six to nine.
While I was tempted to wake Gemma before I left, I’ve kept her up late all week, so I didn’t.
Instead, I told her to text me after she’s had a cup of coffee.
Once I’m home and showered, she sends me a photo of her lying in her bed, hair disheveled, looking like a goddess.
Tyler
Damn. I’m so lucky.
Gemma
And why’s that?
Tyler
Because you’re my girl. What’re your plans today?
Gemma
Thought I’d lay around naked and wait for you to come over.
Tyler
You’re making this really hard.
Gemma
Well, if you’re hard, get over here!
I totally set myself up for that response.
Tyler
Get up. Eat breakfast. Put on some clothes because I’m taking you somewhere this afternoon.
Gemma
OOH! Where?
She always ruins her surprises.
Tyler
I’m not telling you, but dress to be outside until after dark.
Gemma
Okay! How much time do I have?
Tyler
I’m picking you up in 2 hours
Since it’s the third week of October and the temperature has dropped significantly, I dress in a long-sleeve T-shirt and jeans.
I even grab a light jacket because it’s been brisker at night.
Before I leave, I take Sassy for a walk and think about hanging out with Gemma and creating new memories together.
Once we’re back, I feed Sassy some dog treats, then head to the boutique to get Everleigh’s car.
Everleigh has the place decorated from head to toe in black and orange.
Each corner has witches and wizards, the mannequins are skeletons, and spiderwebs dangle from the ceiling.
She wanted to create a haunted house vibe with the music and sound effects.
Every customer who enters is greeted by Cara, who’s dressed like a ghost and hands them bags of candy.
Everleigh has outdone herself with the decorations, and it makes me chuckle.
When she pops out from behind a mannequin wearing black lipstick, I pretend to be scared. “Got me!”
“Shut up, you didn’t even jump,” she says.
“Prison will do that to a person,” I remind her, and she shakes her head. “Keys, please?”
“I’ll give them to you under one condition only,” she teases.
I groan. “Walking Sassy was the only thing you asked. Anything else isn’t a part of the deal we made.”
“Oh well.” She shrugs. “I want you to bring Gemma by the shop so I can finally see you two together in public.” She dangles the keyring on her pointer finger. I try to swipe them from her, but she’s too fast. “Say you will…”
“Oh my God. You’re so annoying.”
“Uh-uh, promise me,” she continues, and I finally give in.
“Okay, fine. But we’re not staying long.”
She drops them in my palm. “Works for me.”
“You little shit,” I throw back before I turn on my heels.
“You love me!” she shouts across the way just as an animated ghost wiggles and flies on a string across the ceiling. Cara tries to hand me a bag of candy, but I refuse.
Once I’m in the car, I let out a laugh. Everleigh’s something else, but she’s right, I do love her along with all her ridiculous antics.
She’s Gemma’s and my number one fan, and I appreciate how much she supports the idea of us being together.
It’s something she’s wanted for longer than I can remember.
She deserves a matchmaker award because she’s so damn sly.
It doesn’t take long before I’m turning into Gemma’s driveway. I’m almost twenty minutes early, but if I know her, she’s dressed and pacing, trying to figure out where I’m taking her. She won’t guess, and I threatened to feed Everleigh TV dinners for the next month if she slipped.
I knock on Gemma’s door, and she immediately wraps her arms around my neck and plants her lips on mine. “I’ve missed you.”
“I always miss you,” I admit, taking in the sweetness of her skin. “You taste delicious.”
She grabs my hand and drags me inside. I cross my arms over my chest and smirk when I see what she’s wearing.
“Am I dressed properly? Should I change?” Concern covers her face.
I grab her hand and pull her closer. “It’s the season when all the basic ladies dress like Han Solo, so I’d say you nailed it. And you even have a scarf with candy corn on too”
She snickers and playfully smacks me. “Blame Everleigh! All of this came from her shop. She’s a bad influence and makes me want to buy everything in there.”
“She’s really good at that, but truthfully, you’re dressed perfectly for the occasion. You’re beautiful.” I slide my lips against hers. “Ready?”
She sighs. “If you only knew how bad I wanted you right now.”
“It’s worth the wait, I promise,” I whisper, kissing her again. “Let’s get going.”
“Okay, fine! You’re so determined to drive me crazy.” She whines and pouts, but a smile meets her lips and ruins her act. We drive across town, and her brows furrow when she realizes where I’m taking her.
I park outside the shop, and Gemma narrows her eyes at me. “We’re visiting Everleigh?”
“She made me promise I’d bring you to see her.”
Gemma shakes her head but doesn’t say anything because she’s aware of how my sister is. Hell, she knows her better than I do. We get out of the car and walk inside, and Gemma immediately lights up when Everleigh rushes and nearly tackles her to the ground. “I’ve missed you so much!”
“The shop is amazing! You added way more stuff and have completely transformed it into Halloween central.” Gemma studies the outlandish decorations with wide eyes. Everleigh might’ve gone overboard, but neither of us admits it.
“Every customer has loved it.” My sister snickers and goes to a giant cauldron with smoke billowing from inside. A moment later, she dramatically grabs a bag of candy from it as if she magically made it appear, then hands it to Gemma.
“You two have fun,” Everleigh squeals and whispers something in Gemma’s ear. When she pushes away, a blush hits Gemma’s cheeks, and I can only imagine what was said.
“We’re leaving now,” I sing-song, grabbing Gemma’s hand and interlocking my fingers with hers.
“Aww,” Everleigh says loudly, and I keep moving forward.
When we’re outside, the crisp fall breeze hits my cheeks.
Gemma smiles as she opens the bag. “I love candy corn.”
“The whole town is gonna have a sugar rush, compliments of Everleigh.”
Gemma walks toward the car, and I shake my head.
“Don’t we have somewhere to be?” she asks, confused.
“Yep, we do,” I say, squeezing her hand. When we round the corner, she finally realizes what I planned.
“The Harvest Festival? I haven’t been since I was a teenager,” she beams with a hop to her step and a grin so wide it’s contagious.
After four blocks, we’re in the middle of the town square. Everywhere I look has some sort of activity going on or kids running around in costume. I wrap my arm around Gemma as we stroll along the street full of vendors and booths.
“Ma’am, wanna get your face painted?” a young girl asks. There’s a poster board full of different designs. Gemma grins and looks back at me, almost as if she’s waiting for my approval. It almost breaks my heart because I’m sure Robert didn’t like things like this.
“If you want,” I encourage. “It’ll be fun.”
A moment later, Gemma sits on the stool as the girl moves her long brown hair away from her face.
“What kind of design?” she asks, pointing at the choices.
Gemma taps her index finger on her mouth, then smiles. “What about a cat?”
The girl’s face lights up. “Sure!”
Grabbing her supplies, she dips her brush in the black paint. Carefully, she paints whiskers on Gemma’s cheeks, then a pink upside-down triangle on her nose. When the girl is done, she grabs a mirror and shows Gemma.
“You’re the prettiest cat here!” the girl says, and Gemma smiles.
“How much do I owe you?” Gemma unzips her crossbody purse, but I’ve already got my wallet open and cash ready.
“Six dollars,” the girl says.
I hand her a twenty and tell her to keep the change. She holds it, and her eyes go wide. “Really?”
“Yeah! Consider it a tip for being an amazing painter.” I grin.
“Thank you so much!”
When we leave, Gemma loops her arm in mine. “That was really sweet of you.”
Glancing at her, I admire how adorable she looks with whiskers. “She did a good job, and I think she’s right. You are the prettiest cat here.”
“Maybe I can have her teach me how to paint.” Gemma snickers, then leans into me.
We continue viewing the different fall-themed items—plastic pumpkins, wreaths, candles, pretty much everything a person could imagine. At the end of the block, a photo booth is set up, and it seems to be a popular area because the line is long.
“We should check this out,” I suggest, and she nods.
“Yes! We totally should, so we have photos to remember our first date.” She winks. Right now, in the middle of the street, all I want to do is kiss her, not caring who sees, but I don’t.
“First of many.”
She tucks her bottom lip into her mouth, and I’m tempted to pluck it free.
After we wait in line for ten minutes, it’s our turn to walk inside.
Once I pay, she gestures to the props if we want to use them.
Gemma places a wizard’s hat on my head and hands me a wand as she grabs a sign that reads “All Tricks” and a crown.
The photographer moves us in front of a backdrop of a haunted mansion.
“You get five poses,” the photographer explains.
“Perfect.” I give him a thumbs-up, and he counts down. We make silly faces and laugh our asses off for another. Next, I wrap my arm around her and pose like high schoolers at prom. For the last two, I place my hands on her cheeks and kiss her, something I’ve wanted to do since we arrived.