“So she can provide consultations without seeing the animal in person? That’s cool. Is there a plan for you two, you know, after this session?” I chewed my lip, not sure I wanted the answer.
“No decisions have been made, but you and I will stay friends no matter what, Autumn.” He squeezed my shoulder, which turned into one of his famous hugs. Was I so easy to read today?
Good to know he wasn’t abandoning me, yet. Still, just the thought made my gut twist. Gia and Jack should get their own place. The distance was hard on them. He deserved the kind of relationship that was long term, special, and heart-wrenchingly amazing. The pang of it hit again deep in my chest as my best friend smiled, warm as sunshine at me. If they moved, would he come back here?
“Jack, got a minute?” Simon, ambled to the register. He’d just finished helping some campers find the sunscreen when he noticed me too. “Autumn, perfect. Wait just a moment.”
Simon was in his late thirties and hadn’t quite had the realization that he was slightly more breakable than he usedto be. That wasn’t to say that thirty-six-year-olds shouldn’t skateboard, but they should at least keep up on their calcium supplements. Or drink a damn glass of milk a day. Although from what I understood, people in their thirties were all turning to lactase and oat milk these days.
Something to look forward to.
“Hi, Simon, how’s business today?” I asked when he’d finished the transaction.
“Inventory just arrived, and this has been acting up.” He pointed his temporary cane down at his ankle boot. He’d fractured it when he’d attempted to do a trick on a halfpipe. “Autumn, would you mind watching the front while Jack helps me back here?”
“You betcha.” I walked behind the register as Jack and Simon made their way toward the storage room.
Jack turned to me with a huge grin, reached his arms straight up, and hit the Employees Only sign hanging above the entrance to the storage room. Teasing me. He knew I couldn’t reach it. Him and his stupid long legs.
“Show off,” I called after them just as the bell alerted us to new customers. I didn’t know what Simon and Jack were up to, but I had moved on, focusing on Leo’s second-choice couple, Leroy and Tara, who were hovering near each other down the aisle from me. The two of them didn’t seem to have any chemistry—yet. I looked over my shoulder like a villain to make sure I wasn’t being watched.
“Hey, Tara, I heard Sariah was looking for you.” I tilted my head away from Leroy. This was about as devious as I got.
Tara dropped the banana-flavored KitKats back on the shelf. “Oh, really? Thanks, Autumn.” She left to go down the frozen foods aisle. Hopefully, that wouldn’t bite me in the ass.
Leroy took a selfie holding a bottle of banana Nesquik that they’d be regretting soon enough.
I looked down at Simon’s open book of expert Sudoku puzzles and started filling in the blanks. I loved it here.
Most worked at a leisurely pace, but you could see who the real contenders were. Tara returned, and meticulously crossed off an item on the yellow scavenger hunt sheet before grabbing the camera from Leroy and tugging him toward the exit. I cringed at the display, knowing full well that I hadn’t thwarted anything and Leo was still on track to have a winning couple.
“Thanks, Autumn, I got it from here.” Simon relieved me, taking back his place behind the register before spotting a couple searching his store. He tilted his head toward the banana corner, and they nodded with understanding. No one could question his dedication to our scavenger hunt.
Jack gathered his items and shoved them into a bag, heading for the door.
Simon gasped as he scanned his Sudoku puzzle. “Did you just finish the puzzle I’ve been working on for two days?”
“What, like it’s hard?” I gave my best Elle Woods impersonation.
Simon adjusted the emerald green beanie he always wore, smiling warmly at me as he flipped the page.
I started for the door before two beaded eyes caught my attention, and I was smitten. “This is perfect.”
I handed Simon a small stuffed hedgehog sitting on the cash wrap. Its eyes were sewn lopsided, his felt nose a little small for his cute little face. I wondered if his boyfriend, the owner of Wildwood’s craft store, Sew Cute, had done that intentionally.
“Keep it.” Simon nodded, indicating for me to take the little critter before he began helping the next customer.
I left the store and found Jack leaning against the cherry-red 1950s Chevy, beautifully cared for and one of the perfect picture mementos for groups.
We continued toward our next destination with Pop Rocks, Nerf guns, and a disturbed hedgehog in tow. Campers were weaving in and out of the shops, with big grins and vivacious laughter, and it was like music to my ears.
I reached into my bag and fished out the weird little hedgehog. “This made me think of you.” I mimicked a cartoon character and presented the cute little toy to a laughing Jack.
“Is my hair that fluffy today?” he asked, scooping the little guy up.
“It’s always fluffy.” I ruffled my hands through his hair, which always annoyed him. “What should we name it?”
He lifted it so that they were eye to eye. “Her name is Pearl. She’s an old soul.”
