Dot lifts her eyebrows in interest. “What’s it called?”
“The lunaria bloom.”
“Ah, I can see why you’re having a hard time. It’s practically impossible to find.” My stomach drops, but Dot clucks. “Lucky for you, I know where to gather one.”
Hope grows in me. “You do? Where?”
“The lunaria blossom grows only during the full moon, in grass that glows with ley line magic. The flower is purple, looks like a lily. You can’t mistake it. You’ll find it out at Wadley Farms, where the first ley lines manifested. Remember: full moon, purple flower. It’s easy enough.”
“Thank you.”
“Anything else, kid?”
“No, ma’am. Thank you for your time.”
“You’re welcome.” I turn to leave, but Dot’s voice stops me. “If you’re ever over this way, you can visit me again. But next time bring beer, okay?”
I bite back a laugh. “Of course.”
“And there’s one other thing.”
“Yes?”
“Whatever you’ve done, you need to fix it. Otherwise, the magic might disappear again in Mystic Meadows—and this time it’ll be all your fault.”
Chapter 33
Coco
After meeting with Dot, I should be spiraling, worried about the full moon countdown, ley lines warping, magic dying because of me. But instead, I spend time with Stone like the world isn’t about to implode. Like I’m not about to be the girl who caused the power in my town to die a second time.
One night, Stone appears at the door holding at least seven board games. At his heels, Hercules bleats in approval.
“What’s all this?” I ask as he carries this massive tower inside, somehow keeping it balanced.
He drops the boxes on the small kitchen table that has paper napkins shoved under one leg so it doesn’t rock.
With a flourish, he says, “I have brought you a collection, milady.”
I giggle.
“What would you like to play? Sorry!? Yahtzee? Clue?”
“Clue, for sure.”
He lifts his brows flirtatiously. “You drive a hard bargain. I really wanted to start with Yahtzee.”
Before I can stop myself, my arms are around his neck. We shouldn’t kiss. This shouldn’t keep going. Plus, Dot’s words won’t stop echoing in my head:You’re gonna end up just like me. Angry. Invisible.
I want to be chosen. Even if it’s just for one game night. So I kiss him. “Then we start with Yahtzee.”
“Nope, Clue it is. Especially if it gets me more kisses.”
I toss my head back and laugh. “Then let’s pick our players.”
We spend our evenings playing all the games he doesn’t remember as a child—Clue, Yahtzee, Sorry!, Life, Monopoly.
Clue, rather than Yahtzee, turns out to be his favorite. “I claim Colonel Mustard,” he tells me one night. “And will you be my Miss Scarlett?”
