Chapter 22
Selene
“Have you decided what you’re going to wear to the dance yet?” I ask Eve during a quiet moment at the shop. As expected, we’ve been busy since opening the door on Monday morning.
“Not yet,” she replies, buttoning a shirt someone tried on a few minutes ago but didn’t buy. “I was thinking maybe my dark green dress with the floaty sleeves. What do you think?”
“That one looks great on you. It brings out the green in your eyes too.”
“Thanks for convincing Mum to let me go with Michael.”
“It wasn’t actually that hard, but you’re welcome.” I reply, switching out a few of the banknotes in the till for some extra change.
“Are you going with Jared?”
“That’s the plan. We’re going to the opening night this Friday too so he can get the full Crystal Lake Halloween Festival experience.”
“Ooh, make sure he gets a toffee apple.”
“As if I could forget,” I reply, feigning outrage. Eve’s tinkling laugh fills the room as she moves to the next costume in need of straightening up.
I glance at the time, wondering why Gwyn isn’t back from delivering a custom order across town yet. She’s supposed to close with Eve tonight, and I promised Jared I’d go over to his place for dinner. I’m about to call her when my phone rings. “Hey, everything alright?”
“Sorry I got held up delivering that weatherproof jacket. It was for Cecil—you know he can talk for England. I’m on my way now.”
“That’s OK—things are quiet at the moment.”
I end the call, and Eve walks up to the sales counter. “Was that Mum?”
“Yeah, she’s running behind. Apparently the delivery was for Cecil.”
“Ugh, he can talk forever.”
“How would you know?” I ask, surprised she’s had any reason to interact with the ancient gargoyle.
“He was my history teacher last year.”
“Ooof.” I grimace. I forgot he used to work at the school.
“Exactly. By the end of every lesson, I felt as old as he is. Michael used to sit next to me so I could elbow him every time he started falling asleep.”
I do my best not to laugh, but my lips twitch giving away my amusement. “Then it’s lucky Cecil retired—for you and for Michael’s ribs.”
“I should text Jared to let him know I’ll be late.”
“You don’t need to do that—just go home. Mum will be back soon, and I’ll be fine on my own for a bit.”
“Are you sure?” I’ve not left her alone in the shop for longer than it takes to do a coffee run before, but she’s more than capable, and it is quiet…
“Positive. I’ll be fine. Besides, I owe you for talking Mum into letting me go to the dance.” I start to object but she continues, “I know you said it wasn’t hard, but we both know she was panicking about me growing up or whatever.”
I snort. She’s too smart for her own good sometimes. “I admit nothing, but I will take you up on your offer.” I pick up the thin wad of notes from the counter. “I need to put this in the safe, and then I’ll go.”
Five minutes later the cash is safely locked away and I’m bundled up in my long tan wool coat and light-blue scarf.
“You’re sure you’ll be alright?” Gwyn will only be another twenty minutes or so but that’s more than enough time for a teenager to get into trouble.
Not that Eve’s a bad kid, but she can be impulsive.
“I’m sixteen, not six.” At my raised brows she tones down the attitude. “I’ll be fine, promise. Go have fun on your date.”
“Don’t make me regret this.”
All I get in response is a jaunty salute. Rolling my eyes at her antics I leave.
My breath puffs in front of my face when I step out into the cool early-evening air.
Leaves crunch beneath my feet as I make the short walk to Jared’s house.
The cold air bites at my exposed fingertips and burns my lungs, but I relish each and every breath.
This is my favourite time of year. I can’t wait to share the Halloween festival with Jared.
As if he could sense my approach, Jared’s front door swings open to reveal him in a navy apron. With the dampening amulet off, he probably could sense me coming—he’s already familiar with my magical signature.
“Dinner will be a few minutes yet,” he tells me as I step inside.
“That’s alright. Can I do anything to help?” I ask, hanging my coat and scarf on one the hooks in his narrow entrance hall.
“Nope. Your only job is to sip wine and keep me company.”
“Now that I can do.” I leave my boots on the shoe rack, then follow him through to the kitchen. There’s already a glass of red waiting for me on the corner of the kitchen island, so I pull out one of the tall stools and get comfortable.
Jared leans down to press a quick kiss to my lips before going back to the chopping board on the opposite side of the island. “How was your day?”
“Good, busy which you know I prefer. Ocean and Kendra stopped by to get their Halloween costumes on their lunch break—thanks for reminding them.”
“Of course.” He shrugs as though it’s no big deal.
“What about you? Did you get your interview you did with Garrett yesterday typed up?”
“Yeah, and the one I did with Cordelia this morning. I didn’t expect the Halloween festival to be such a big matchmaking event.”
“Oh that woman can make anything a matchmaking event, trust me.”
His warm laughter fills the room. “After seeing her in work mode today, I believe you.” That makes me smile.
We got together for drinks with Cordelia, Dove, Hux, and Garrett a couple of weeks ago.
Cordelia’s no shrinking violet in social situations, but she’s even more full-on when she’s in work mode.
I’m not surprised he still looks a little dazed after seeing that side of her.
If she wanted to, she could take over the world in about a week.
“Eve’s going on her first date.”
“Really? Who’s the lucky supe?”
“Michael.”
“The gargoyle boy who shifted for me?” he checks.
“Yeah.”
Jared nods, using a knife to slide the selections of sliced vegetables into a wok. “He seems like a good kid.” I take another sip of wine. “You don’t agree?”
I twirl the stem of the glass between my fingers. “No, I do. I guess I’m just realising she’s not a little girl anymore. She’s going on her first date, and she’ll leave for her Academy training in a few years, then who knows.”
Jared leans against the counter, tea towel thrown over his shoulder. “She’s growing up.”
My shoulders slump. “Yeah.” I sigh, then take another sip of wine. “Do not tell my sister I got all sentimental over this.” I point at him in warning. “I made fun of her for doing the exact same thing.”
He cocks one blonde brow at me. “What do I get in exchange for my silence?”
The tip of my tongue darts out to wet my lips. “How about a kiss?”
“Hmm.” His voice dips lower. “I think you can do better than that.”
Holding his gaze, I take another sip of wine. “I didn’t say where I’d kiss you.” I let my eyes trail down the length of his long, lean body to rest just below his belt, making my intentions clear.
His throat bobs. “Sold.”
I smirk. “Thought so.”