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“You didn’t.”

“I mean, I kinda did. For what it’s worth, you’re the hottest Headless Horseman I’ve ever seen.”

He laughs, then kisses the back of my hand again. Our eyes meet, and I know what I see within them.

“You sure you’re okay?” he whispers.

“Other than having you see me in a hospital gown? Yeah.”

The edges of his lips curve.

“I heard you and Dad talking,” I admit, unable to keep it to myself. “It sounds like...maybe he’s changing his mind about you.”

“Thanks to you.”

“I didn’t make you a good man. You did that all on your own.”

The lateness of the hour, the exhaustion of the night, and the ordeal my body just went through weigh down on me. Even the beeping of the monitor and the occasional checking of my blood pressure are soothing now.

“Will you stay?” I whisper, my eyes fluttering closed.

“Yes, sunshine. I’ll stay with you forever.”

Juliet

Archer and I spend every minute we can together for a solid week, and it’s utter bliss—despite the fact that he and Dad seem to bond over not wanting me to lift a finger while I recover.

I’m physically fine, but they’re treating me like an invalid, preventing me from cooking, refusing to allow me to walk too far, having me sit down for every activity possible.

They even insisted I use a wheelchair to leave the hospital.

“Just to be sure,” Dad said.

“I have to agree,” Archer returned.

I think I may have created a monster between these two, but I can’t say I mind it. It’s kinda nice being waited on hand-and-foot.

But after a week, I put my foot down and demand to leave the house. One of my favorite events of the year—Witches Night Out—is tonight, and there is no way I’m missing it, even if Archer isn’t going to be there.

I’m dressed up in a makeshift witch costume—a half-attempt if I’ve ever done one. I kinda forgot about it until this week. Someone has been keeping me preoccupied.

In my bedroom, I slip on a black, flowy, lacy dress, then wrap a belt around my waist, securing it with my gold-painted nails. I curl my hair so the locks are thick and wild, then place my hat atop them. I decorated the brim with hot-glued fake wildflowers and tied a little jewel at the tip of the point, so it hangs down slightly at the back, instead of pointing straight in the air.

I honestly wouldn’t care what I look like for this event—if it wasn’t for the fact that Archer’s going to drop me off. Dad’s got his own date tonight, one me and Archer have been sworn to keep under wraps. We’ve met them both together a few times now, his girlfriend more than happy to finally announce the relationship to me. It’s been the hardest thing keeping her identity a secret from the rest of the town, but for them, I’ll do anything.

With Dad being busy, though, I’m in desperate need of a car. One that’s not a lemon. That’s not to say I don’t like being chauffeured by Archer—not when it reminds me every day of that meeting on the highway where my life changed forever.

Finishing off my witch look, I slip on a pendant necklace, then thread in one earring as Dad appears in my bedroom doorway.

“Ready for tonight?” he asks.

“Nearly.”

“Are you gonna be back after the event, or are you...”

“Spending time with Archer?” I finish. “Yes.”

He nods, taking in the information. “Back here?”