Page 128 of Death and Do-Overs

Feeling his arms around me, I finally exhaled, a long breath I'd been holding for what felt like years. His warmth seeped into my soul, and I knew in that moment that everything would be okay.

He said to me, “I’m not perfect. I’m not the best at expressing my feelings, and I know we haven’t known each other long. But I love you, Marshmallow.”

“Someone once told me that some people are worth it,” I said into his chest.

“Squee.” Imogen clasped her hands together. “That was me. I said that.”

Levi kissed me with a softness that promised the future I’d been afraid we would never get to share.

I kissed him back, and as I did, Greta said to Levi, “If Mar’s tongue in your throat doesn’t make it clear, we love you, too.”

EPILOGUE

MARNIE

Spanish moss hung from the branches of an ancient oak tree. I leaned against the rough trunk, enjoying the shade as sultry notes of a distant trumpet wove through the warm, humid air.

Watching Levi command the stage, I couldn't help but marvel at his presence. Every gesture, every word, was imbued with a charisma that captivated the children of all ages who watched. He wasn't just performing magic when he pulled the dove from his top hat. He was weaving a spell that left his audience enchanted.

As he wrapped up his act, I pushed off the tree and slowly approached.

I’d finally made it to Crescent City, thanks to Levi’s traveling act. Now that I was here, I was glad I hadn’t found the time to come sooner. There was a new layer of magic to discover in every aspect of life when he was with me.

“For my final feat, who would like a piece of candy?” Levi asked.

The crowd cheered in its biggest round of applause so far as Levi tossed candy into the air.

As the children scattered to gather their treats, Levi slipped through the crowd and put his arm around me.

“That was impressive,” I told him.

“I’m glad you enjoyed the show.”

“Do you happen to have any candy left to share with me?”

“Sadly, only a single butterscotch, and I know how you feel about those.”

I did a half shrug as I leaned into him. “At least it’s not candy corn.”

He chuckled and made the candy appear in his palm.

I unwrapped it and popped it into my mouth.

With Greta working at the shelter, I didn’t feel a single ounce of guilt about taking this time for myself, for us.

“What’s next?” I asked.

“We’ll go anywhere you’d like,” Levi said. “But there’s something I’d like to show you first.”

“Sure.” I’d go anywhere with him, so our destination didn’t really matter.

He led me into a tiny shop filled with candles, old books, and way too much velvet. And we stopped behind a box markedsold.

“What’s this?” I asked.

He grinned and pulled off the lid. “A present.”

I peeked inside and found a one-eyed taxidermied fox dressed in reading glasses and a lab coat. It was the same fox that had first led me to the midnight market, the fox that had forever tied me to my mate.

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