“Pretty much,” he replies with a nonchalant shrug.
“Great.” I take a fortifying sip of coffee, then open my notepad to a fresh page. “Alright, tell me about what Hunter’s Moon has planned for the festival. You’ve got live music acts booked all week and for the closing dance, correct?”
Rett spends the next thirty minutes filling me in on the bar’s Halloween festival plans. Apparently, they’ll also offer themedcocktails, special food promotions, and live entertainment every night at the bar, alongside a bar stall in the town square. The more I hear about everyone’s plans for the festival, the more I’m looking forward to it. I know Selene’s excited to share her favourite town event with me. Hopefully Garrett’s right and people will have moved on to something else by Friday so Selene and I can enjoy the festival in peace.
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 talkforever.”
“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.”
