Chapter 16 #2
Ryder pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose again and grins.
“This is where my extensive expertise as a romance novelist comes in handy. Try melting Skylar’s heart with little acts of care and affection.
Knowing you, you’re probably already doing it without even realizing.
You’re a total natural.” He winces. “I have to work on this a lot more consciously. I get too hyperfocused on my writing, making me not fully present in the moment.” He taps a finger on his temple.
“I live in here a lot more than the average person, and Vash has to force me out of my mind palace from time to time. He also has to tell me what he needs from me, emotionally or otherwise. I’m not the best at intuiting or reading those things, although I like to think I’m getting better.
” He smiles at me. “You’re a different story, Hal.
You’re so attentive to the needs of others that I’m sure you’re already doing a lot of things to help Skylar feel safe and supported with you as a partner.
” He pauses, his expression turning thoughtful.
“I think the only thing you’ll need to work on is making sure you aren’t giving too much of yourself.
You’re an incredibly generous guy, Hal, more than anyone I’ve ever met, and everyone in town loves you for it.
But when it comes to romantic love, sometimes you need to learn to be a little bit more selfish.
Take the time to enjoy being a couple, to keep building the mutual trust that makes a relationship work.
Your partner’s needs must come before everyone else’s, but you also need to let him put you first too. ”
“In other words, I need to get over myself and continue being the caring and supportive boyfriend I am?”
Penguin mate power for the win.
“Bingo,” Ryder says with a wink.
I straighten in my chair. “Hmm. I think I need to step it up a notch.”
Ryder arches an eyebrow. “Oh, do tell.”
I gulp. “He’s the one who asked me out and who planned our first date. I think I need to take the initiative for a change. Like a proper gentleman courting his love.”
I’m even revising and expanding on the love letter I wrote for Skylar a while ago, but I don’t mention that. For some reason, I want to keep that private, especially since I haven’t given it to Skylar yet.
“Now you’re talking,” Ryder says, giving me two eager thumbs up. “You need to woo the fuck out of him.”
“Uh… sure. In my own special way,” I agree, and offer up a few of my ideas.
He shakes his head with an amused smile. “It’s all so adorably old-fashioned but very you, my friend. You’re giving me lots of inspiration for the sasquatch romance I’m writing.”
Warmth pulses inside my chest. I’ve wanted Ryder to write a sasquatch romance for ages, hoping I could live vicariously through the characters, but now I almost think I don’t need it anymore.
I’ll read it, of course, as I do with all of his books, but I have the real thing now, and it’s even better.
And I’m sure it will give some other lonely sasquatches out there hope that they’ll find true love someday too.
“There’s something else I could use your advice on,” I say hesitantly.
Ryder looks up from his notebook, where he’s once again been scrawling ideas. “Don’t hold back. Nothing can shock me.”
Truer words have never been spoken. In fact, I have to wonder what exactly would shock him…
“Ahem. Yes, well, you see…” I muster up my gumption and blurt out, “I want to kiss him. But I have no idea how to take the lead on that.”
Ryder’s eyes sparkle. “Go, Hal! It’s time to get your kissing game on.”
I’m not entirely sure what that means, but I say, “I’ve kissed his hand before. But that’s it.”
Ryder nods, stroking his chin. “Hmm. And you’re going the old-fashioned courtship route, so you want to keep it classy. Remember though, consent is key. Whatever you do, make sure he wants it too.”
“Yes, that’s of the utmost importance to me.”
“Good. Now, let’s strategize.”
We spend the next half hour mapping out ideas for the date and an end-of-the-evening kiss, then Ryder heads off to disappear back into his writing cave and I start whipping up some more food for Elvira and me. I really need to touch base with Max about hellhound diets…
After lunch, Elvira and I head to Skylar’s salon to pick him up for our meeting with the festival planning committee.
When I knock on the front door, he lets us in with a smile.
“Come take a quick look. It’s coming along great.”
He squats down to give Elvira some love while I gaze around the space in wonder.
It’s been fully transformed from the blank slate it once was.
The main part of the salon up front has been fitted out with three different hair stations of varying sizes: one for smaller beings, one for human-sized clients, and the third for larger species.
There’s a small reception desk area as well as a corner space that seems to be still waiting for a purpose.
One wall is devoted to shelves for hair products, and a row of chairs for waiting customers has been set up near the reception.
The back wall has signs of plumbing work in progress for the sinks.
To think this was an empty room a month ago—it’s hard to imagine now.
Skylar gestures toward a hall leading to the back of the building. “I’ve got some stuff I’m working on back there that I’ll show you later.” He winks. “It’s a bit of a surprise.”
My heart flutters. Skylar is adorable when he winks.
I gesture around us. “This is amazing. You’ve come so far and it looks great. Is it all finally starting to feel real?”
He grins. “Fuck yeah it is. I’m having a hard time being patient. I wish I could open my doors tomorrow.”
I chuckle at his enthusiasm. “It’ll be opening day sooner than you think. Hang in there.”
I lead Elvira outside while Skylar locks up the salon and then we make our way over to Town Hall. When we enter the conference room, we find Sylvia and Max already waiting.
Clad in a flowy, bright orange silk tunic and metallic gold leggings, Max comes scurrying over to us, one hand fluttering in the air excitedly while the other holds Princess Peach in his arm. “Look at this precious baby!” he coos to Elvira, hearts in his eyes.
Princess Peach, who’s wearing a mini tiara today, glances down at Elvira and lets out a little snort of disdain before going back to sleep.
Meanwhile, Elvira remains oblivious to the snub and lets Max give her belly rubs, her tongues lolling happily.
Then Max listens to my quick rundown about how our furry new friend catapulted herself—quite literally—into our lives, nodding along while giving Elvira her due adoration.
Once Max has finally gotten whatever that was out of his system, he turns back to us.
“Little Ms. Thang here sniffed out the ultimate meal ticket with you, Hal. Talk about a smart girl. Oh, but where are my manners?” He reaches his free hand out to Skylar, gold glitter nail polish sparkling in the light.
“I know we met briefly before, but in case you forgot, I’m Max, aka Maxy Poppins, Mystic Hollow’s supermanny extraordinaire!
And Skylar, you’re my hair’s long-awaited salvation. ”
Skylar’s mouth quirks and he shakes Max’s hand. “Uh, good to see you again, Max. Believe me, I didn’t forget you.”
Max continues talking a mile a minute, free hand gesticulating in the air.
“Good, because, honey, you have no idea how badly I’m in need of a proper cut and color!
Wait, what am I saying. Of course you know.
You can probably tell with one look at the tragic state of my locks.
” He holds the back of his hand against his forehead and sighs dramatically.
Skylar stares at me, his eyes wide.
I shrug and whisper, “Don’t worry. This is just Max being Max. As Ryder and Max explained to me, he’s a bit of a diva, but he is a wonderful person. And his baked goods are to die for.”
Sylvia, bless her, steps in at that moment. “Welcome, Skylar. Good to see you again.”
“Likewise. At least there aren’t any naked gnomes ransacking the place this time.”
She laughs. “Lucky for them, most are distantly related to me, so they got off light. Once they sobered up, I marched them back down to my store and forced them to clean the whole shop for me. It hasn’t been this neat and tidy in ages, so I actually won out in the end.”
“And that’s why we’re grateful to have Sylvia on the planning committee. She knows how to get stuff done,” I tell Skylar.
We take our seats just as Baxter and Kassiel arrive.
“I see your new charge is settling in nicely,” Kassiel says with a smirk.
When I sat down, Elvira took the opportunity to claim my lap and is now curled up, snoozing once more.
Max gasps loudly and claps his hands together. “Ohmygod! We totally need to have a doggy playdate with Elvira and Waffles.” He glances down at Princess Peach, who yawns back. “My precious angel will no doubt oversee everything and keep them both in line.”
I perk up at his suggestion. “That’s a great idea. It’s very important that Elvira be a well-socialized hellhound, living at the B&B and all. She’ll no doubt become our business mascot.” I smile at the thought. “Let’s find a time soon.”
We definitely need to add pictures of her to our website.
Jayden Bell and Emrys Bogey are the last to arrive, holding hands and looking utterly smitten with one another. They take their seats and introduce themselves to Skylar.
“Let’s get this meeting started,” Baxter says, bringing us to order. “First, we have a guest and prospective new committee member here today. Skylar, why don’t you take a moment to introduce yourself and let us know why you want to be involved with the Harvest Festival planning?”
Skylar sits up straight in his chair and takes hold of my hand under the table, clutching it tightly.