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"Get a drink? There is nothing that we can do for him. Mr. Webb will come down in about thirty to forty-five minutes. That's why he's here. The cursed are used to the unusual, this is nothing new for us, he couldn't stay with the normies," I answered.

Merrick shrugged and stated, "Better to have the eyes on him tonight."

"Are you feeling a change coming on?" I asked, moving closer to him. "We can head back if so."

"What? No." He tensed a little next to me. "Just glad not to be the center of the chaos for once.”

"I feel that," I agreed. After the chickens and the moment in the clearing, this has been the longest stretch of calm. "but let's not overthink anything. Maybe we should grab the drinks and take stuff back to Blake. She’s probably starving."

I knew that she told me to enjoy my night but I'd feel guilty if I didn't get her treats back to her soon.

Rook was still watching Mr. Webb. But most of the others had gone on with the bazaar as if nothing had happened.

"Come on, Rook. He will be fine," I promised and pulled him towards the Potion and Pour stall. "They have the most festive drinks here and you'll be sorry if you missed them. Angela and her crew go all out for this festival. I heard that they are trying to get a brick and mortar here in town. I'm all for it, but I don't have any sway with the town elders."

"I bet I can help with that," Rook smiled at me. "I'm all for expanding small towns. They are a dying breed, cursed or not."

I beamed at him, "That would be amazing, just no other antique stores."

"Of course not. Can't put my best girl out of business," he said. The words were genuine enough I blushed.

"Do you two want me to leave so you can get a room already?" Merrick asked. It was playful, so I knew he wasn’t upset.

His words had us both laughing. We had somehow transitioned from cautious to flirty. Not that I was complaining. Rook smelled like mine… just like Merrick.

"If we get a room, you're invited, too," I smirked at him.

There was a blush that filled his cheeks, "Wh..what?"

The stammer was cute but I didn't want to push him over the edge and have him shifting uncontrollably and ruin the night.

"Let's grab that drink," I said, shifting the conversation.

"Yes, make mine a double," Merrick agreed breathlessly. I wished for a moment I could know what he was thinking. Was I too much for him? Was he truly interested?

"Grab me one of whatever you're having, I want to get some of those cheese fries," Rook said, releasing my hand.

"I'll take some of those, too, please," I called after him.

"Too bad they didn't have a spooky name for the fries," Merrick joked. He was trying to lighten the mood and I latched onto it.

"Right? There are limits to everything," I agreed. "I guess you could start thinking of names for next year. They would pay you in haunted gold sticks?"

Merrick laughed at that.

"That was terrible wasn't it?" I cringed at my own words.

"Not the best, but a good start," he teased, relaxing even further. He was leaning closer now as if it was pure instinct. The beta was sweet and I liked that I had a calming effect on him.

Or maybe it was the potion.

Either way, I was claiming credit.

Rook approached just as we moved up to next in line to order with three orders of bacon cheese fries. "Did I miss anything?"

"Just Prue embarrassing herself trying to name the cheese fries," Merrick said.

"You didn't have a better suggestion," I reminded him with a huff, but I couldn’t stop smiling long enough to make it believable.