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“Come on. Neither of us has kissed at Make-Out Ridge. It’s a rite of passage.”

I half-heartedly protest until we park alone at the Ridge, the darkness all-encompassing. He doesn’t move toward me for a minute, merely gives me a look that I can barely see in the dark car, but I know what it means.

I sigh, shake my head, then lean forward, taking his lips with mine before he has the chance to even register what’s happening.

He returns my kisses as fervently as I was hoping, and we spend a few minutes—or maybe longer?—enjoying our alone time.

Before long, our lips part as my lips break out into a smile.

He pulls back with curious eyes. “What?”

“Nothing. I’m just happy.”

“Well, can you stop being happy for a second? I’d like to kiss you for longer.”

I laugh, swatting his arm. “Fine. Here.”

A scowl pulls my features low, and he leans in before stopping. “That’s not gonna work either.”

I put on a pleasant expression next, and we manage a five-second kiss before I smile again.

He looks at me with a feigned look of impatience.

“I’m sorry!” I laugh out. “I just can’t get over the fact that I’m kissing Archer Kade at Make-Out Ridge.”

I daydreamed about this moment, too.

“I mean, you were kissing him...” he says. I laugh again and he leans back with a sigh. “Well, I guess that’s enough of that. You’ve got some witches to party with.”

That’s sobering enough.

He’s about to put his truck into reverse, but I launch forward, kissing him again.

This time, it lasts.

Juliet

Somehow, we make it to the event at the library without being caught by a cop and relatively on time. A few women in their cute witch costumes—Sadie and Ari included—file in through the doors as we approach.

I tell Archer he can just drop me off, but he insists on parking and walking me to the doors. As if I could mind that. Being on his arm, I feel like a million bucks. Especially when those already in the library—Emma and Liv—peer through the window and look at me, then Archer, then back at me with a broad grin.

It wouldn’t surprise me if the entire town knew about my undying crush on Archer Kade—no doubt thanks to the Ednas—but it’s lovely to see everyone appearing happy for us both.

But no one is happier than I am.

Archer stops at the door and faces me. “I’ll be here when you need me,” he says.

“I know.”

And I do. Because Archer has shown up in my life when it matters most each and every time, and I could never ask for anything greater than a man who loves me as much as I love him.

Juliet

“Is the gravy finished?” I ask, sliding a stick of butter along the tops of the rolls I pulled out of the oven.

Archer places the gravy boat on the table. “Yep.”

I finish with the rolls, then face the four place settings in his dining room as he stands beside me. The table was set with wicker placemats, speckled blue plates, and long napkins tied together with string. The center of the table holds lit candles, small pumpkins, and an orange, plaid table runner covered with mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, candied yams, and turkey.