The added height made me feel more confident, and balanced the playful elegance of the dress with a modern flair. The extra inches were also a bonus, considering Ethan’s height. As the thought of us possibly kissing crossed my mind, a warm blush crept up my cheeks. The idea of being closer to eye level with him, and not having to stand on tiptoe, sent a flutter of anticipation through me.
I took a deep breath and stepped out of the dressing room. Ivy gasped, her eyes widening with delight. “Oh, my gosh, Vinnie! You look stunning!” she exclaimed. Her excitement was infectious, and I felt a flush of pride and confidence.
Amelia’s face lit up with a broad smile. “Absolutely perfect,” she agreed. “This dress was made for you.”
I twirled, watching the skirt flare out beautifully around me. The rich red color made me feel bold and daring and, as I admired the dress, Amelia reached into a glass display case, pulling out a delicate necklace with a red crystal pendant.
“This is carnelian,” Amelia explained, holding the necklace up to the light. The crystal glinted with a deep, fiery hue, complementing the dress. “It’s said to boost confidence, creativity, and enhance passion, desire, and love.” She winked playfully. “Just what you need for your date.”
She fastened the necklace around my neck, the cool stone resting against my skin, and I looked at myself in the mirror, feeling a surge of excitement. The outfit felt like a small celebration of my new life, a bold statement that I was ready to embrace new possibilities.
Ivy leaned in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “ Ethan won’t know what hit him.”
Amelia wrapped up the dress and necklace in delicate tissue paper, placing them carefully in a beautifully decorated bag with the other items I’d picked out.
“So, how about a girls’ night on Friday? A sleepover at my place, complete with snacks, movies, and a little card-reading before your big date,” Ivy suggested with a playful grin.
Amelia perked up at the idea. “I’d love to, but I’ve got a date myself,” she said, smirking. “Matched with a new guy online. He seems interesting.”
Ivy raised an eyebrow. “What happened to the guy you were talking to last week?”
Amelia rolled her eyes and laughed. “Mike? He was sweet, butwaytoo boring. Besides, I’m not trying to settle down, right now. I’m just having lots of fun. And byfun, I mean sex.” She adjusted her gold-framed glasses with a cheeky grin, and we laughed, her candidness refreshing and unapologetic.
“We’ll miss you, Amelia,” I said with a mock pout. “But I’ll definitely be there, Ivy. A girls’ night sounds perfect.”
Amelia grinned and wiggled her brows. “Next time, for sure. And you better text me all the details about your date on Saturday!”
“I promise,” I laughed.
Before we left, Amelia surprised me with a warm hug. It was unexpected, but comforting, and a gesture that solidified my sense of belonging in this charming town that was starting to feel a little more like home
Chapter 12
FRIDAY NIGHT ARRIVED, and I busied myself in my bedroom, packing a bag for the sleepover at Ivy’s. The room was dimly lit by a bedside lamp, shining a light over the rustic wooden furniture and the quilted bedspread. I folded a pair of comfy pajamas, and a favorite oversized sweater, placing them neatly in my overnight bag with my other essentials.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand, and I picked it up, grinning as I read the latest text from Ethan. We’d been texting all day, ever since he messaged me in the morning to confirm our plans for tomorrow. It had been a fun, easy conversation, with him joking about the quiz night and what kind of absurd questions we might face. His texts had quickly become the highlight of my day, especially the ones he sent between his lessons. I found myself waiting for them more and more, each one bringing a smile to my face.
His last message left me smiling. It was comforting to know that he was looking forward to it just as much as I was.
As I packed, I imagined him at work, leaning against a desk with that casual confidence of his, explaining something with his warm, honey-brown eyes focused intently. Maybe he’d loosened his tie by now, the top button of his shirt undone, revealing a glimpse of his collarbone. I wondered if he ever wore glasses—somehow, that thought only made the image hotter. The idea of him in teacher mode, effortlessly charming and sexy, sent a warm thrill through me.
My mind wandered, daydreaming about an after-hours scenario in an empty classroom. The thought of him leaning in close, our faces inches apart, as he murmured something in that deep, soothing voice . . . I blushed, imagining a hot make-out session, his hands in my hair, pulling me closer, our breaths mingling in the quiet of the room.
Shaking off the fantasy, I zipped up my bag and glanced at the snacks and wine I had picked up earlier from Maple and Spice. I’d chosen a bottle of red wine—with a cute label that promised hints of dark berries and chocolate—an assortment of cheeses, and somesalted popcorn.
When I stepped out the door, the crispness of the autumn night greeted me. The sky was clear, stars beginning to twinkle in the fading light and, maybe it was the talk with Ivy and Amelia that lingered with me, but there reallywasa sense of magic in the air; a feeling that anything could happen.
I started the short walk to Ivy’s place on Willow Lane, a quaint street just a few minutes from my cottage. As I turned onto the main road, I smiled at the festive decorations that lined the street. The front porches were a delightful array of carved pumpkins, glowing with flickering candles inside. Charming little scarecrows were seated on benches outside some houses, while others were decorated with strings of orange and purple lights. Some even had skeletons on their front porches and gardens.
Ivy’s house was number thirteen on Willow Lane, a little brick haven that fit perfectly with the enchanting vibe of the street. The house’s window shutters were painted a soft, welcoming pink, adding a touch of whimsy against the classic red brick. Ivy vines gracefully climbed up the walls, weaving in and out of the window frames, and the front garden was a vibrant mix of wildflowers and herbs, their colors still bright and lively in the late September air. Thriving potted plants were arranged artfully around the porch.
Bundles of dried herbs and small bells hung by the door, which was a warm, rustic red, and adorned with a wreath made of dried flowers and twigs. Soft, warm lights glowed from the windows.
The door swung open before I could knock, as if Ivy had sensed my presence, and she greeted me with a warm hug. Her beautiful silk pajamas shimmered softly in the light, the shirt bearing the playful slogan: HEX THE STRESS.
“Hey, Vinnie! Come in, make yourself comfortable,” she said, pulling me inside.
The enchanting atmosphere of Ivy’s cottage immediately enveloped me as soon as I stepped inside. Dim fairy lights and candles twinkled from every corner, casting a soft, kaleidoscopic glow, and the air was rich with the earthy scent of herbs and incense. Posters of herbs and plant anatomy adorned the walls, blending seamlessly with the shelves overflowing with crystals, figurines, and various mystical trinkets. It was a charmingly cluttered space, and utterly filled with Ivy’s personality.
