Page 41 of Of Poison & Pumpkins
Lightning flashes out the window, followed by a boom of thunder overhead. The sound ricochets through the arena.
“I couldn’t hear that last part.” I scoot closer until our hips touch.
“I said why did you choose to open Pumpkins in Oakmar?”
“My uncle won’t let me in on the family business until I prove myself.”
She waves me off. “You already told me that part. But you could’ve opened a store anywhere. Why in Oakmar?”
“Well, be patient, little lady, and I’ll get to that part.” I nudge her side softly with my elbow. “I needed a place where the eccentricity of Pumpkins would thrive. I asked my friends for location ideas. Zanther knew about the unique shops on Blake Street. He sent me a few links. When I did my research, I had a mini heart attack when I saw your picture on Palooza’s page.” I pause, hoping I haven’t gone too far. “Rynn, you have been in the back of my mind for so frackin’ long that I thought I was hallucinating.”
She’s watching me so intently that I wonder if she’s holding her breath.
“I was nervous that the idea and memory I had of you was too good to be true. So, it took me a while to convince myself to find you on social media. I only gathered a few bits and pieces of your life, but you seemed even better than I remembered.
“I saw the protest you created last year to stop the magic declaration system. I agree with it. The Council shouldn’t force Fuzers to share their spell with Nergs. It’s too controlling. I’ll never forget that quote you had in the newspaper: ‘Freedom means the ability for us to use magic when and where we want without having to inform others.’”
Rynn opens her mouth to speak, then closes it again, waiting. I’m not sure if that means she wants me to continue or she’s in shock.
“And the few pictures you posted proved that I’d still be crazy about you. They convinced me to travel cross country to take you on a date. You were sooo cute in that picture with the rescue cat …”
“Which one?” She blushes.
“The black one.”
“Oh, yeah, Zoomie.”
“And the rock-climbing pictures are such a turn-on. I was immediately protective like a caveman. At the same time, I wanted to brag about you to everyone.” I rub my chin, my pulse and nerves skyrocketing from exposing so much.
“What percent stalker are you? Fifty?” She laughs.
“Hey, now. I had the decency not to investigate your bathroom drawers when you shoved me in there. Though, I did see a few bookshelves on your shelf and plan to borrow each title from the library.”
“Elias …” she whispers, leaning closer. “You’re … you’re sweet. Unhinged and obsessed, and definitely eighty percent stalker, but sweet. And the only reason I’m not making a mad dash to the door after that deranged confession is because I did the same thing. I creeped on your social media right after I heard a customer mention you in my shop last month.”
“Really? Who?”
“I only heard his voice, but thinking back, it may have been Zanther. He mentioned the Thoren Pumpkin farms cutting their staff in half last year because of AI stealing their jobs and how he knew ‘Elias’ would figure out a way to fix it when he joins the marketing team. When I heard your name, I think time stood still. But I convinced myself it couldn’t be you he was talking about. I knew you went into marketing, but there must be a ton of guys with your name. Plus, why would someone in Oakmar be talking about some guy from Indiana?”
Desperately wanting her to keep going, I slowly graze my pinky up her forearm. Her eyes flutter shut for a beat, and I swear she leans into my touch.
She continues, “So, yeah, I looked you up. All your profiles were public, so you were an open book and damn, you post frequently. After scrolling through pictures, you seemed like an honest guy who loves to kayak. I was almost angry to not see a lot of drinking shots at bars or blondes wrapped around your waist or wild boys’ nights in Cancun.”
“I don’t drink.” I rush out, taking this opening. “Alcohol I mean. I can’t drink again. I made some mistakes in the past.” I speak so fast she might not even understand. “I wish I had stopped drinking sooner, then I’d have found you earlier. Should I have told you at all? Being a possible alcoholic is a red flag, isn’t it?”
“I’d want to know more about that sometime to support you as a friend. Because all we can be is friends. Am I attracted to you? Yes. And do I kind of want to see what it’s like to kiss you? Yes, but not now. Not yet.”
“Okay, I can wait, Sunflower. Just be aware that you’re absolutely slaughtering my sense of balance and any chance of productivity for the near future.”
“What if it’s forever?”
“Forever is not such a long time when it’s spent seducing the one you care for.”
The door to the barn flies open. I get a whiff of the thick scent of rainfall as the downpour rushes in. A dozen soaked unicorns gallop inside as Viv runs after them, corralling them with wild gestures.
Rynn jumps to her feet and helps the frantic unicorns, using a steady voice with both hands out wide. My body snaps to action. Alexandra doesn’t seem aware that she’s about to be smothered in a stampede. I scoop her up and place her out of danger by the wall.
When I turn, a smear of purple, pink, and white beasts circles Rynn. My heart rams wildly in my chest. What if they flatten her?
