“I’ll take this,” Morgan announces, reaching around foliage to pluck a small herbal sachet from Alex’s hands.
Alex’s forehead furrows. “Luna said that was a free sample.”
“You don’t have the right aura for this one, sorry. Doesn’t work for nonbelievers.”
Alex is disgruntled. “You used to say you didn’t believe in magic, Romina. I don’t understand.”
I tamp down my own aggravation. Yes, I used to not believe, but that was a long time ago. I’m tired of people walking into our magic shop and questioning it, demanding we defend and explain ourselves. “There is a lot about this universe you do not understand, Alexander. You have to open your mind.”
“He won’t, with an aura like that,” Morgan adds loudly, from elsewhere in the shop. The man reads one pamphlet and now he thinks he knows all about auras.
“I’m not surprised you’re a skeptic...” I give Alex a slow once-over, filling my expression with palpable disappointment. “Little boring of you, though.”
He recoils. Stands up straight and tall, which for some reason reminds me of videos of raccoons, who stand on their hind legs when threatened. I try very hard not to laugh. “If logical isboring, then yes. I live in reality.”
I take a forward step, watching his eyebrow raise an infinitesimal fraction. A twitch. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Is this the same person who hugged me yesterday, who couldn’t stop staring? It’s like he evolved into a different species overnight.
He shrugs.
My eyes are slits. I blurt the first thing that pops into my head. “It’s a crime that you cut all your hair off.”
He’s unfazed. “Like it better this way.”
Kristin steps between us, but she isn’t tall enough to block our burning gazes—both of us offended, trying to pretend like we’re not. “Your flowers are lovely,” she tells me. “The shop looks like it’s doing well; I’m so glad to see it. So glad to see you and Trevor are both happy and successful. But I wanted to drop by for another reason, too.”
Alex scrubs a hand over his face. That momentary stomach drop I can feel from feet away, his internalugh, please,nohas my lips involuntarily curling into a feline grin. “Yes?”
“Remember those wedding festivities I told you about? I made up a scavenger hunt for wedding guests who’re staying in the area. I thought it’d be fitting, what with celebrating our love, and this being such a romantic little town. You know? Isn’t it just the most romantic little town? Daniel doesn’t believe in any of that stuff, calls it nonsense, but I confess that while I don’t totally understand all the stories myself, I think they’re fun. Anyway, I remembered how much you used to love games. Do you still?” She claps her hands together, hopeful. “How about another game, for old times’ sake?”
Chapter Eight
ANEMONE:
Your charms no longer touch my heart.
You could’ve said you were busy,” Alex mutters venomously.
“I’m not.”
“You were at work.”
“I dictate my own hours.” I can’t help but gloat. “Does being around me make you uncomfortable?”
He scowls. “Do whatever you want. I don’t care.” Then he pulls out the list of items we need to find around town, ignoring me while his eyeballs burn through the paper, making sure he holds it at an angle that makes it difficult for me to read. He and I had the misfortune of drawing the same color paper out of a hat, because the universe is being a big old donkey, so now we’re shackled together as Team Yellow for the next twenty-five minutes. As Kristin mentioned, I love games, so I should beast this thing pretty quickly, and I’m always motivated by a prize at the end. Whoever wins gets a dozen cupcakes from Wafting Crescent.
“Aye-oh!” Trevor yells at us as he swaggers out of Half Moon Mill, hands cupped around his mouth. Half Moon Mill was the game’s starting point. “Already got one, suckers!” Teyonna, Trevor’s partner, is happily eating one of Ms. Vaughn’s waffles andmirroring Trevor’s celebratory dance moves. Her shirt readsDOGS AREN’T LAWN DECORATIONS. THEY BELONG IN YOUR HOUSE.
“Damn it,” Alex mutters. I grab the paper from him, accidentally tearing off a corner.
These moons are good with syrup
Get something sugary for your sweetheart
What lovebirds! He built her a house and decorated it
Bring a flower of the gods to the ghost of Downigan
Take a picture where the town begins
