I barely had time to process what he’d said before I jumped up from my seat, the thrill of victory coursing through me. Without thinking, I threw my arms around Ethan’s neck, laughing with pure joy. He responded immediately, wrapping his arms around my waist and lifting me off the ground in a playful spin that made my heart soar.
My laughter filled the room, blending with the cheers and applause from the other tables, and the moment felt electric. When Ethan finally set me back down, I was still grinning ear to ear, breathless from the excitement.
Mayor Hale approached us with a broad smile, her eyes twinkling with a hint of something more. “Congratulations, you two! You make a fantastic team.”
Blushing, I reluctantly let go of Ethan, but he kept one arm around my waist, his touch grounding me in the moment, and he looked at me with a soft, admiring gaze that made my heart skip a beat. “Thank you, but Vinnie here is the real star.”
She chuckled. “Go on, collect your prize. You’ve earned it.”
Ethan and I made our way to the front, where Paul handed us a bottle of wine, and a gift certificate for dinner. Ethan took the bottle and turned to me, a grin spreading across his face. “A little something to remember our first date by.”
I smiled, feeling a warm glow inside and, after saying goodnight to everyone at the bistro, Ethan offered to walk me home.
The town of Hallow’s End was quiet at this hour, the streets bathed in the soft glow of streetlights, casting long, gentle shadows across the cobblestone. The air was cool, carrying the scent of rain that hinted at the possibility of an impending downpour.
We walked side by side, our steps falling into sync. Every now and then, our shoulders brushed, sending tiny sparks of electricity through me, and I found myself hyperaware of every small movement. His hand occasionally grazed mine, the warmth of his skin a subtle but unmistakable invitation, and I could smell the cedarwood and citrus notes of his cologne mingling with the cool night air. It was an intoxicating scent that seemed to wrap around me, grounding me in the moment.
Our conversation had naturally paused, leaving us in a comfortable silence that hung heavy with unspoken words. There was a new kind of tension between us now, a magnetic pull that grew stronger with each step we took closer to my house. I could feel his gaze lingering on me, and each time I glanced up at him, my heart raced a little faster. There was a warmth in his eyes, and a softness that made me wonder if he was thinking about our first kiss as much as I was.
When we reached my door, the conversation tapered off, and we stood there for a moment, facing each other, the quiet of the night pressing in around us. Ethan took a small step closer, his hand reaching out to brush a stray strand of hair from my face. His fingers were gentle as they lingered on my cheek, sending a shiver down my spine. The air between us was chargedwith the electric promise of a kiss, and the world narrowed down to just the two of us, standing on the brink of something new and thrilling.
He leaned in slowly, his breath mingling with mine, his lips just a whisper away from touching, and my heart pounded in my chest, every nerve in my body alive with anticipation. Just as our lips were about to meet, a sudden crack of thunder tore through the sky, making both of us jump. Lightning flashed, illuminating the night for a brief, blinding moment before the sky opened up, and rain began to pour down in heavy, relentless sheets.
We both pulled apart, laughing as the sudden downpour broke the spell. Ethan wiped raindrops from his face, grinning as he shook his head. “I guess the universe has other plans.”
“I’d better get inside,” I replied, my words tinged with regret.
“Yeah,” he agreed, though he looked just as disappointed as I felt. “I’ll text you.”
He leaned in and, instead of the moment we both had been on the verge of sharing, he placed a gentle, lingering kiss on my cheek, his lips warm against my rain-chilled skin.
“Goodnight, Vinnie,” he whispered, his voice soft and full of promise.
“Goodnight, Ethan,” I replied, watching him jog off into the rain, his figure becoming a silhouette against the stormy night.
I hurried inside, my heart still racing as I closed the door behind me. As I dried off and changed into my pajamas, my mind replayed the events of the night, the almost-kiss, and the way his hand had felt in mine. Just as I settled into bed, my phone buzzedon the nightstand.
My heart skipped a beat at the thought of seeing him again, and I quickly typed out a response, my fingers still trembling from the lingering excitement.
I set my phone down and curled up into bed, still smiling with warm happiness as I snuggled under the covers to sleep.
Chapter 17
THE NEXT WEEK PASSED by in a blur of activity and excitement as I dove headfirst into getting the gallery ready. After signing the lease and picking up the keys from Harold, who had been beaming with excitement, I knew there was no turning back. The space was mine, and with it came all the responsibilities of turning my dream into a reality.
Mornings began early, often with a quick coffee before I headed over to the gallery. The first task on my list was sorting out the layout—a job that took up more time than I’d anticipated. I spent hours walking through the empty space, trying to envision where each piece of furniture would go, how the lighting would hit the walls just right, and where I could create little nooks for people to sit and enjoy the art. I even sketched out a rough floor plan, marking where the main exhibits would be, and where I could set up a small corner for workshops or private viewings.
By midweek, the supplies I’d ordered arrived, and boxes of paint, brushes, and rollers stacked up in the corner, waiting for the transformation to begin. Amelia, being the thrifting queen she was, had somehow managed to find the most incredible pieces of furniture—vintage chairs, quirky tables, and even a few statement light fixtures that were just begging to be hung. She seemed to know all the right people and places, making phone calls and pulling favors to get everything at a fraction of the cost.
Amelia and Ivy were a constant presence, offering their help wherever they could. Ivy, with her endless energy and can-do attitude, was always up for a task, whether it was helping to sort out the insurance paperwork, or brainstorming ideas for the grand opening. Most evenings, after a long day of planning and organizing, the three of us would collapse onto the floor of the gallery, surrounded by takeout boxes, chatting and laughing about everything from the day’s mishaps, to Ivy’s latest tarot card pulls.
As we lounged on the floor one night, I finally told them about my almost-kiss with Ethan, and Ivy nearly choked on her drink as Amelia’s eyes widened with excitement, both of them eager for all the details.
“So let me get this straight,” Ivy said, grinning from ear to ear. “You two were about to kiss, and then the universe literally rained on your parade?”
“Yep, thunder and all,” I replied, laughing despite myself.
Amelia shook her head. “That’s classic Hallow’s End timing. Weird things always seem to happen when emotions run high.”
