Page 92 of Kiss Me, Maybe

“The first clue is posted!” I shout, and watch as everyone pulls out their phone.

CAPTION:

ON YOUR MARK… GET SET… GO!

@ANGELA CLOSED CAPTIONS:Hey, y’all. I’m here with your very first clue. In a blue house of rarities, the second clue awaits you.

For a moment, I’m taken back to a few months ago, when the scavenger hunt was still just an idea that came to me out of nowhere.Find me in a house painted blue, where the smell of aging paper envelops you and books line every wall.If Krystal is watching somewhere, she’ll remember the callback.

Marcela drives us to Cheever’s, where we wait for people to arrive. In the car, I lose the tie altogether before we walk inside. How do men even wear these things? I start to feel better as the cool air from the store hits my skin.

The second clue might be my favorite of Natalia’s art pieces. Two weeks ago, when she unveiled the faux display of books created especially for me, it nearly brought me to tears. I direct Marcela and Julian to a side room where the display is tucked away beside a stack of worn mass market historical romances.

At first glance, the display is unassuming. The faux books are so lifelike, if you didn’t know what you were looking for you’d mistake them for real hardback novels. Until you look closely at the titles and realize they’re far from real. The first spine readsThe Woman in Wanting, followed byAngela’s Ever After. But the next clue is on the last title,Ferris Wheel Death Trap, the cover a perfect rendering of downtown San Antonio during Fiesta. On the bottom of the display is Natalia’s signature.

“Angela, this is amazing!” Marcela exclaims. “I can’t believe Natalia made this.”

“She really outdid herself with this piece,” I agree. “Andthe best part is I get to take it home with me after the scavenger hunt.”

We make our way toward the back as I’m checking my phone for the time. They should be arriving behind us any second now. At the ten-minute mark, Marcela splits from us and heads to the front of the store. She’ll text me when the first arrivals enter Cheever’s.

“While we’re waiting, you never told me how you know Leti.”

Julian sighs as he leans against a shelf of children’s books. “It’s a long, awkward story that doesn’t make me look very good.”

“After I found you hiding behind a barstool, I didn’t think it did.” I raise my brows at him. “What happened?”

“We met a few years ago.” He lets out a long breath. “I don’t think she likes me very much.”

“Wait a second.” Something clicks into place as I stare at his sheepish expression. “She mentioned something about the worst first date in history. Did yougo outwith her?”

His whole face turns pink, and I have my answer. Before he can reply, Marcela calls to let me know Leti and a few others have arrived. “I lost track of some of the participants after a huge group walked in. Either way, I think you’re good to post the next video.”

“Thanks,” I tell her. “You didn’t see Krystal by chance, did you?”

“Sorry. I was too busy trying not to get trampled by the newcomers. She could’ve slipped in, but I have no idea.”

“Right. Well, I guess we’ll see.” Once we hang up, I openTikTok and post the next video.

CAPTION:

@ANGELA CLOSED CAPTIONS:Back again with your second clue of the night. Something is not what it seems inside these walls. Can you spot the difference? I sure hope so, because it’ll lead you to the next clue.

“Come on.” Julian follows me out the back exit so we don’t run into anyone. We meet Marcela by the car, and then we’re off to the next location. Clouds are rolling in by the time we make it to Fiesta, but far from being dead the streets are packed with bodies. It looks like everyone’s getting their final hours of fun in before they’re rained out.

There’s so much of Krystal in this next clue, which makes sense given that she’s the one who gave me the idea when we were here weeks ago. The line to the Ferris wheel is long, extending all the way to the street, but that’s okay. In that way, it was just for us. Besides, the participants don’t need to actually ride the Ferris wheel to spot the next clue.

Though we’re an entire block away from the Ferris wheel, Natalia’s newest mural is in full view.The Woman in Wantingstares back at us from the next building over. Even though the details are almost exactly the same as the mural I first saw from the Tower of the Americas, something is different about this new mural. Maybe it’s my imagination, but this version seems bolder, more full of life than its predecessor. Beside the mural,a poster is taped to the wall with information on Natalia’s art exhibit at the McNay museum.

“It’s going to get harder making sure everyone’s keeping up with the clues,” Julian says after two back-to-back passersby shove by him. “Do you see anyone?”

I glance around, like I haven’t been looking for signs of Krystal all damned day, but he’s right. It’s even harder to make out familiar faces through the droves of people out today. Luckily I figured something like this would happen and set up a timer. After another fifteen minutes pass, I hit upload on the third video in my drafts folder.

CAPTION:

GETTING WARMER…

@ANGELA CLOSED CAPTIONS:Are we ready for the third clue? My friend has a view for you that can be seen from the top of a Ferris wheel. Hope you guys are better at interpreting art than I am.

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