“Does it? Seems fair to me for ruining your first real night out in Caddawalk.” I tilt my head to consider it then shrug. “But I guess you could be right.”
“Honestly, a corpse isn’t what I would use to decorate my house,” she counters. “But maybe I could put your teeth in one of those clear plastic DIY Christmas ornaments? Hang them on the tree every year?”
My footsteps falter as delight explodes in my chest. Crazy banter—I love it. She’s the only one who does this with me.
“Deal. You can have one or two even if this place ends up blowing your mind.”
Blair shakes her head with a light laugh. “Keep your teeth in your mouth, Santi, you big goof. I’m going to try these on. I’ll be quick, I promise.”
I wave a dismissive hand. “Take your time! There’s no rush.”
Blair slips away to the back of the store where the single dressing room is located. With a chuckle, I saunter up to the counter where Molly is giving me a knowing smirk.
“If I didn’t know your type, I’d say you were on a date right now, Santiago,” she says before quirking a curious brow.
Ah, so no questions like I suspected, but it seems Molly’s willing to commit to some small talk to get her answers. To be fair, Molly and I go way back. I think I’ve known her since kindergarten. Of course she would know that I’ve only ever shown interest in guys.
I shrug, trying to play it cool. “I think it’s a little more casual than a real date.”
But if Blair wanted this to be one I’d be over the fucking moon about it.
“Well,” she starts. “For what it’s worth, you haven’t stopped smiling since you walked in here. You look happy.”
I open my mouth to tell her I absolutely am, but choke on the words as my attention is snagged by the faded black and white missing person’s flyer pinned on the bulletin board behind her. There, staring back at me, is Blair.
Well, kind of.
According to the flyer, the woman is Ashleigh Burr—a local to Caddawalk that lived on the other side of town. She’s got short, spikey dreadlocks, a painfully haggard expression, and pocked skin. But it’s the shape of her face, the point of her nose, and the fire in her eyes that—from a distance—makes her look like an off-brand version of Blair.
Thisis why I thought I’d seen Blair before. The flyer is ancient, but I remember when it had been posted all around Caddawalk five, maybe six years ago. But it was her sudden reappearance that made the news. She’d been gone for six months then showed up healthy as ever and claimed she’d been away visiting family.
“Alright,” Blair says, appearing by my side and placing the articles of clothes on the counter. “I’m ready to go.”
Molly smiles at her. “Find everything to your likin’, hun?”
As Blair confirms that she has, I give her Ledger’s credit card so she can purchase her items, then slip away to discreetlysnatch the missing flyer poster off the board. I don’t know why. It doesn’t mean anything to me and it’s definitely not Blair. Still, I stuff the flyer into my back pocket.
A few minutes later, we’re strolling down the street.
“There’s a fall festival happening at the end of October. I’ll show you where it takes place after we drop your bags off,” I tell Blair. “It’s really fun. There’s great food, games, rides and all sorts of stuff. Ledger has made sure Gnarly Pines has had a stand for the past few years. We make it a competition on who can chop the most wood in thirty seconds.”
“That sounds like fun!”
Blair’s voice seems kind of distant and when I look down at my side, I see why.
“Oh, shit, sorry!” I whirl around and hurry back to Blair’s side who is power walking in an attempt to catch up.
“You’re walking too fast for me to take it all in, Santi!” Blair teases, grabbing my forearm as I start to move again.
I try not to react to the simple touch, one that doesn’t even linger before her hand falls away, but my chest puffs out all the same. Unaware of the free falling sensation happening in my chest, Blair innocently tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear as she looks around Main Street.
“Sorry,” I tell her sheepishly. “I’ll slow down. I keep forgetting your legs are shorter than mine and I’m just excited to be out and about with you. I want to show you everything.”
I want you to fall in love with this place so that you’ll want to stay long after you’re out of danger…
It’s there, sitting on the tip of my tongue just waiting to be spoken. I swallow it down. I can’t say it, not yet. But maybe later…
“I’m enjoying being out with you, too, Santi,” Blair says with a grin, unaware of how I’m practically vibrating in her presence. “Alright, let the tour continue.”
