Page 8 of All Hallows' Hex
“It’s about Sienna, actually,” she continued when he was out of earshot. My eyebrow rose at the connection. “Last week, Everett and Sienna met. Your readings were about them.” An embarrassed smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
“That’s really interesting. They picked the same deck and everything.” I wasn’t a meddler, but after meeting Sienna, I wanted nothing more than to bring those two together.
“Vera and I have been letting her work through reason and logic on her own. I’m rather amused that tonight, their paths crossed in an indirect way.” She stuck her straw into the semi-frozen liquid and stirred.
“The stars have a funny way of sending you messages, even if you don’t ask for them.” I followed suit, leaning forward and taking a sip out of mine. The chocolate was delightfully rich. “These are literally the best fucking milkshakes. I’m not a seasonal employee, thankfully, and in the summer heat, this will save your life.”
Aimee laughed, and the sound was light and airy. She leaned in to take a sip but overshot and ended up with whipped cream on her nose. Heat crept into her cheeks when I reached across and wiped it off. Without thinking of the implications, I licked the cream off my finger. Aimee’s fair skin, already a bright pink, deepened to a warm crimson.
“Can I tell you something? It might be a little embarrassing.” Aimee’s eyes bounced between mine as her shoulders tightened. I took another sip of the milkshake, letting it cool my own heat and give her a second to breathe.
“You can ask me anything and you can tell me everything.” She nodded absentmindedly and looked out into the pavilion again. I didn’t push for what she had to confess because I prayed to every deity it was going to be the answer I needed.
“There’s something that’s been a bit of a gray area for me,” she said, but she was looking down into her lap as she spoke. “I’ve realized lately that not everything was as black and white as I thought.”
I slid a finger under her chin without much thought and lifted her gaze to mine. Her breath hitched and I waited for her to continue.
“My dating experience has been a little one-sided, but recently . . .”
“Recently,” I encouraged her. The contact between my finger and her skin was searing in a delightful way.
“I’ve noticed a few changes . . . in what I like.”
“What do you like?” Her mouth parted for an answer, but I could see panic flicker in her gaze.
“I think I like . . . you.”
The word was the most pleasant dagger in my chest. I thought I quit breathing momentarily. This was the smallest door I needed to open.
“Would you like to find out if you like me?”
“I would, but I’ve never . . .”
“You’ve never kissed a girl before?” She nodded, and I let my hand fall from her chin before trailing a finger across her wrist. “Do you want to?” Her mouth parted for an answer, but I slid the milkshake over to her and she took a sip instead. “Do you want to go to the Skytower with me before I have to open the booth again?”
“I’d love that,” she answered with relief.
Little did she know, my plans were to give her exactly what she just asked for.
CHAPTER5
Aimee
The milkshake settledin my stomach inside a bundle of nerves. It was one thing to hope for a moment, and it was something wildly different to know somewhere along the way, it was going to happen. Anticipation killed me as we stood in line at the Skytower. People hadn’t bothered to fill this line, given the haunted attractions and shows, and I wasn’t sure if that put me at ease or made the anxiety worse.
“Have you enjoyed the season so far?” It was the only thing I could think of to fill the silence between us. Lane was slightly taller in her boots, and when she turned that piercing stare down at me, it set the butterflies alight. Her dark lashes framed the lightest green eyes.
“I have!” She smiled, the plum-colored corners of her mouth tipped, exposing dimples in her cheeks. My heart beat erratically before she looked away and stepped toward the turnstile. “For certain, I enjoy haunt acting far more than what Shelly has me doing. Beyond the fact that I don’t tarot reads for profit in my personal life, it’s a constant headache to deal with people who like to throw around insults. The number of times I’ve had to hear fraud or be reduced down to a ‘fortune teller’ each time my booth opens has me ready to hit my head against the wall.”
I followed her in the Skytower’s shuttle as she looked for a place to stand.
“I’m sorry. It sounds exhausting to deal with assholes.” She smiled over her shoulder.
“You’ve made it better.” She stopped and leaned against the glass. “Tarot reading and divination goes far beyond fortune telling, but that’s the socialized gimmick of it all. I’m not telling fortunes; I’m interpreting my decks for a message that they give meaning to. Sometimes, personal readings leave me in an uncertain state if it’s something not immediately relatable. When the general public doesn’t understand, they just fling out harsh insults like con artist, charlatan, and the like. Imagine the ire of a customer who doesn’t get the clarity they demand.” The smile didn’t reach her eyes as she watched the ground grow smaller beneath us.
The Skytower moved slowly as it rose and rotated for the perfect view of the entire park. Screams faded, but the lights glowed like a Halloween kaleidoscope. It was beautiful and mesmerizing.
“I couldn’t imagine honestly. It might not be everyone’s practice or belief, but there’s no harm with letting people enjoy their lives, you know? I love your entire vibe. You’re intelligent, gorgeous, mysterious, and so accommodating—I can’t fathom mistreating you.” The words landed on my ears and my cheeks flamed at the realization of what I’d admitted aloud. Lane was watching me when I looked over to her. My throat was tight and scratchy. This was nothing like my previous crushes and dalliances.
