Page 7 of All Hallows' Hex
What do you want from tonight?
It was such a loaded question, and albeit a little stereotypical. I needed to know, though, and I couldn’t stop myself from selfishly inquiring. Aimee’s bright blue eyes were wide, and the dim lighting darkened the usual bright orange shade of her hair. She wore the cutest mass market produced witch’s hat, and the unconscious reasoning for her choice made my heart flutter.
“If I’m being honest with you, I didn’t really come with any expectations,” she admitted, darting her eyes away from mine.
“Hey,” I called her attention back to me. “Eyes here, always,” I said, motioning between us. “If you didn’t come with expectations, then let’s just plan for a good night out. We can take it one activity at a time.” I pushed away from the table, and the chair made a scraping noise against the floorboards as I stood. Leaning onto the table, I moved into her space. “Let’s let go together.”
“Okay,” she agreed, a smile growing the more she turned the thought over in her mind.
When Aimee smiled, a fire lit in my veins unlike any I had felt before. When I was younger, it didn’t take much for me to realize guys weren’t my thing. When I kissed a girl for the first time, the rush couldn’t even compare to what her simple smile did to me. It went beyond butterflies. This feeling dared to make me dizzy, and I’d lean into that fully later.
I took her hand, taking the lead where she was too shy to do so. Pulling the front door closed, we made our exit from the back entrance.
“Wait, don’t you have to do readings tonight?”
I stopped on the steps at her question.
Shit, she was right.
I let the prospect of a fun night with her override the need to please Shelly in some way with this damn booth. I turned to face her, not releasing her hand for a second.
“Yes, I do . . . ,” I admitted, trying to mitigate the impending disaster.
I hadn’t read cards for myself tonight, but my daily tarot screamed for me to take chances this morning. This was a chance, and I needed to take it. Aimee’s eyes were soft and concerned over getting me in trouble.
“But I’m entitled to a few breaks.” The rationalization came easy after that. “I read for Matt and Everett, and they both work here and helped me move things in. Then, I read for you three. As far as I’m concerned, my spiritual reserves are a little drained and could use a milkshake?” I gave Aimee a coy smile as realization crept onto her face.
“A milkshake pleases the spirts?” she teased, stepping down after me.
“I’ve never known a deity to turn away a frozen treat.” I helped her step onto the pavement and closed the back entrance, engaging the lock and pocketing the key.
I wasn’t going to point out that as I lead her to my favorite ice cream shop here, she didn’t drop my hand. Aimee stood a few inches shorter than me since I was in my platform boots, but the height advantage allowed me to look down and observe the way she took everything in. As the lights moved and danced across us, her blue eyes reflected them like a kaleidoscope. Her smile was cemented as we walked in silence. My face hurt and I realized it was because I couldn’t wear any other expression than one that mirrored hers.
When I opened the door for her, she finally let go of my hand. The only time her smile wavered was when she noticed it too. Not wanting to bring awkwardness and discomfort into the mix, I gathered her hand again when I stepped inside and walked us to the counter.
“Favorite flavor?” I asked, eyeing the menu but watching her in my periphery. Christopher was working here tonight, and he came from the back as we looked over our options.
“I’ve always been a fan of chocolate.”
“That sounds perfect, actually.” I looked at Christopher then. “Can we get one large chocolate fudge milkshake?”
“Yup, would you like whipped cream on top?” he asked with a smile. I looked at Aimee and she nodded. “Discount tonight, Lane?”
“What good is working here if we don’t take advantage of that?” He laughed at that truth and rung us out.
While he made the milkshake, we chose a table by the large window storefront. It was two weeks out from Halloween which meant park attendance was growing by the night. Regular visitors felt like the park was busy in the beginning days, but it doubled almost every week. I really couldn’t afford to spend all of my shift with her, but I wanted to.
“Can I ask you a question?” Aimee released my hand and started picking at a napkin. I didn’t let the disappointment show on my face. Tonight was about getting her in a comfort zone and letting her explore without being pushed.
“Anything at all.”
“Earlier, at the tarot booth, you said you did readings for some coworkers before us?” I nodded. “Did you say . . .” She paused and looked out the window before making eye contact with me again. “Did you say Everett was one of the guys?”
“Yeah, Everett and Matt. They work across from me most nights.”
“Green hair?” I laughed; he was unmistakable with such a loud color choice.
“The one and only, why do you ask?” I eyed her cautiously, but before she could answer, Christopher came over with our glass and straws.
