Page 20 of Cookie

“Let’s see which book she chooses, and we’ll dress like characters or something from the book,” I said, and got even more excited.

“Choose wisely, Avery,” Charlie said over my shoulder to her.

“You got it, Charlie,” she said, not really paying attention at all.

“You should probably make some flyers so you can pass them out with customers that come in, and a sign in the window wouldn’t hurt either,” Charlie said.

“Do you think so? I guess it would be nice to make sure a few of them show up,” I said, and tried not to think of us dressing up and having no one show up.

“I’ll tell Mom about it. She can tell my brother to bring his kids.”

“Oh, that’s right. I forgot he has a few.”

“More than a few, but anyway, I’ll spread the word. Don’t worry about anything. You figure out what you want to do, and I’ll make sure some kids show up,” Charlie said.

Avery decided we’d use a book about a little witch and her black cat. There was also a scarecrow in the story, so we decided Avery would play the witch, I’d be the black cat, and Charlie would be the scarecrow. Business had been great, and the copies we ordered to sell of the book we’d read on Halloween were selling really well. It had become routine for Charlie to spend his break in the backroom with me rather than out on our bench. The weather was getting cold and wet and while we wanted to spend time together, we didn’t want to be miserable.

“I ordered some special cookies for Halloween. I thought it might be fun to give one to everyone who goes to the reading, and we can pass out candy to everyone else,” I said as I nibbled on my favorite pink cookie.

“That sounds nice. They’ll get so much candy that day they won’t mind something different, and those cookies are really good.”

“Thank you, Charlie. None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for you,” I said.

“Well, that’s not true. You were doing just fine before I came along,” he said with a grin.

“Maybe, but it’s a lot more fun having you along for the ride,” I said and leaned close enough to kiss him.

“Mmmm,” he groaned. “I really do love those cookies.”

“Have I ever told you how cute I thought you were to sit on that other bench for so long without speaking to me?” We’d talked about this a few times, but I loved the way we met, and I never wanted him to think I’d forgotten.

“Maybe, but I don’t mind you telling me again,” he said.

“I tried so hard to ignore you, but you made it very difficult. Every time you walked over to the bench in your work clothes looking all ruggedly handsome and doing your best to ignore me, it made me want to get your attention even more. Did you knowI could see your reflection in the window across the street?” I asked.

“No, I wondered why you never looked at me,” Charlie said, his eyes bright. “I can’t believe you did that, and I really wish I would have thought of it.”

“See, I still have a few surprises up my sleeve,” I said, and he smiled that sweet smile I loved. My heart played a tune that was just for Charlie, and I wasn’t sure it would ever want another. Because from where I sat, he was the most perfect person for me, and I really hoped he felt the same way.

“I like your surprises, Ryan.” He kissed me again, making me want more.

Nineteen

Charlie

Tonight was Halloween. We’d been working on decorating the bookstore for weeks and making sure we had every detail exactly how Ryan wanted it. I saw a new side to him as we worked together. He was picky. Very picky. He had a very clear idea of how he wanted things done, and he wasn’t happy until it was exactly how he had planned.

As I hurried across the street from the auto shop to Ryan’s bookstore, a car horn blared, and someone waved out the window at me. It was still light out, but we decided it was better if I arrived in my costume since they were already wearing theirs. As they’d decided before, I was the scarecrow from the book. It wasn’t a hard costume, but the hay shoved up my sleeves itched like crazy. I hurried inside the store where Avery was at the cash register dressed as a witch with a funny shaped hat that somehow looked perfect and a spider hanging from a web on the brim. She’d painted purple streaks in her hair and wore a lacy black dress that reminded me of Stevie Nicks and looked perfect.

“Hey, Charlie, you look great,” she said and clapped her hands to her cheeks. “Is the straw itchy?”

Just the mention of it made me want to scratch, but I forced myself not to. “A little,” I said just as Ryan came rushing out of the backroom. He wore black jeans that were ripped at the knees, a white button-down shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and a black vest that showed off his trim waist. He’d gelled his hair back and wore a headband with ears attached. Heavy eyeliner made his blue eyes look dark with mischief, and the nose and whiskers he’d painted on completed the look.

“Charlie, you look amazing,” he said before leaning in to kiss my cheek. “Are you ready to go?”

“I think so. Is there anything else that needs to be done?” I glanced around and everything looked perfect. They’d decorated the area where Ryan would be reading the book into what looked like a tent by hanging a pole and curtains. They were tied back enough to see the chairs inside and the little battery-powered lanterns that each child would hold and get to take with them. There was a larger lantern on the table next to a big candelabra with battery powered lights for show, but the lantern would give Ryan enough light to read by. Not that he needed it. He’d memorized the book.

“We’re just waiting for the kids. Do you think they’ll like it?” he asked for the millionth time.

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