A chill rushes over me.
Asher lives for strategy in intense situations and is obsessed with causing or putting out fires. Nothing intimidates him, and he genuinely loves New York. She knew Asher would be a lifer at Banks Advertising and Marketing. I think she knew I wouldn’t.
Eden. My dear, sweet sister.She’d havelovedCozy Creek.
“Are you okay?” Julie asks from her closet door. She’s leaning against it, dressed in her bra and panties, watching me. Red hair is twisted up on her head in small pinwheels.
I glance at her, unable to deny how damn pretty she is.
A smile touches my lips. “Of course. Why?”
“You looked sad,” she says.
I suck in a deep breath, confirming she can see straight through me. It’s a gift she’s had since we met.
“Oh, babe. I’mveryhappy, I promise,” I say. It’s the truth.
“Just making sure. Want to talk about it?” she asks, returning to her closet.
Hangers slide against metal as I go back to my thoughts.
“I was just thinking about my sister and how much I miss her.” I smile and turn back to the balcony. My mind drifts back to Eden.
A month ago, I could hear her voice scolding me in a way that was perfectly, uniquely her. But since I’ve been here, my sister’s disappointment no longer haunts me. I think my happiness has settled her soul, or maybe it’s settled mine. Regardless, I’m not the same person I was a month ago. My outlook on life has changed, and a part of me has too. Even I can recognize that.
Julie hasn’t returned to the coffee shop yet, but she’s supposed to soon. Her parents have stated several times that they don’t want her returning until November, but my girl is very stubborn. She decided yesterday that she would continue to do inventory throughout the month. Her dad caved.
“I’m ready!” Julie announces.
I turn and see she’s wearing a black dress with a white collar, and it’s giving off a Wednesday Addams vibe. My eyes scan down her spiderweb fishnets to her clunky Doc Martens boots that makeher look like a vampire hunter. I believe she could kick ass in them after watching her knock the piss out of that photographer. It’s an energy I can match.
“Are you sure about going out tonight?” I ask, moving into her room.
“Yeah.” She grabs her pumpkin head from the edge of her bed and puts it on. Her voice is muffled inside the pumpkin. “No one will know it’s us. We’ll have anonymity. Your turn.”
Julie hands me my ridiculous pumpkin head.
“You’d better be glad I like you,” I tell her.
“Oh, I’msodamn glad,” she admits. I can imagine her wearing a cute little smirk.
I stand beside her, looking at us in the mirror. “You’re sure we’ll fit right in?”
“Do you trust me?” she asks, moving closer, causing our pumpkin heads to bump together.
“Absolutely.”
“Good. Ready?” She grabs my hand. “Come on. Autumn and Zane are meeting us there.”
“Are they wearing pumpkin heads too?”
“Nope. But Autumn said she was trying to convince Zane to wear a matching cozy sweater.”
I crack up. “Hmm. He’s never been the type.”
She grins. “Yeah, well, he’s a changed man.”
“For the better,” I admit. “I’m happy they found one another.”
