I stared at Faith. “No. I just have snooping friends who have yet to learn to mind their own business.”
Faith was not deterred. “You should absolutely come to the meeting tomorrow. Especially if you like pie.”
“Pie?”
I sighed. “Another member is teaching us her recipe before the meeting tomorrow.”
“Well, I do like pie,” said Ryan kindheartedly.
“He’ll think about it,” I insisted.
Faith shrugged. “Let me know if I can help you with anything in the library too.”
Waiting until Ryan turned away toward the entrance of the library, I twisted back on Faith. “Oh, I think you’ve helped enough.”
“Don’t be mad.”
“I’m not.”
“Then stop talking to me and go with your cute little boy toy there.” Her hands fluttered in his direction.
“He’s not—goodbye, Faith.”
“Blessed day, my dearest.”
She gave a single salute before disappearing back somewhere in the mess of her office, but not before I called out, “You’re just as bad as Celeste.”
She nearly gasped with a hand perched on her collarbone. “Take that back. I’m far cooler.”
That was true. I stared at her and shrugged. She could take that as she liked.
I caught up with Ryan near the edge of the checkout desk. He seemed to be taking his time, unsurprised as I came up next to him, walking outside, where the air was humid but cool.
“Sorry about that.”
“Don’t be. I’d always seen Faith around this part of campus, but I had never met her before. She seems nice.”
“She is,” I agreed. “Most of the time.”
“I also didn’t know you guys had so many holidays.”
“Some are bigger than others, but yeah. We like to mark time. Magical moments not to be taken for granted and all that,” I mumbled, looking down. Picking at my nail polish. Most of it had already fallen off in flecks.
“So, when are you picking me up?”
My head popped back up to meet his round eyes. “Picking you up?”
“Yeah. For tomorrow.”
“You actually want to go?”
“It is one of my New Year’s resolutions—to learn how to cook,” said Ryan. “I have a feeling I’d be good at it, especially if the end result is pie.”
I worried my lip.
“What? Do you not want me to go with you to celebrate …”
“Mabon. The equinox,” I filled in.
