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Before her was a grand display. Multiple shelves of greenish-black bottles, neatly arranged in rows, glistened in the glow of the store lights. A cardboard cutout of Alice’s silhouette stood next to the display. A banner hung above the shelves. An image of a witch riding a broom in front of the moon separated the two phrases “The Neighborhood Witch” and “Locally Brewed Wine” on the banner.

Alice approached the shelves. She dropped her hands and picked up a bottle. Her thumb traced the rectangular, dark purple label, exploring every bump and elevated line. In the center, there was a black silhouette of a witch from the waist up. She wore a curved, pointed, wide-brimmed hat and was snapping her fingers. A white line framed the image. The Neighborhood Witch was written across the bottom in a white font invoking the language of secret arcane knowledge.

Alice held the bottle, not wanting to let go. This was her bottle. This was her wine. This was her dream. Everything she ever wanted. She had her own wine in a store, not hidden away in some clandestine bar. Not anymore. She was on the store shelves. She made it.

“I helped them set up the display earlier today. Do you like it?” Hugo asked.

Alice pulled her eyes from the greenish-black bottle, tears running down her face.

Hugo’s gleeful expression changed to one of worry. “If . . . if youdon’t like it, I can have the Raskins make a new label. This was only the first batch from the supplier.”

“I love it. It’s perfect.”

Hugo breathed a sigh of relief. Alice put the bottle back on the shelf and hugged Hugo. He wrapped his arms around her as they embraced.

“Thank you. This means the world to me.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Hugo said.

“I love you, Hugo Dodds.”

“I love you too, neighborhood witch.”

They chuckled.

“It’s the best Samhain present anyone could give me.”

“Don’t you mean Sauin?” he asked with a wink.

She let go of Hugo to glare at him with a coy smile.

“Come on. I’m going to show you what happens when I lure you back to my house.” She grabbed Hugo’s hand to lead him back home.

“Before we go, I have one more surprise,” Hugo said.

Her face beamed with glee. “Oh. Another surprise?”

Hugo averted his gaze to the floor, biting his lower lip. He rocked back and forth, as if he was unsure of what to do next. Alice waited, her smile shrinking.

“I honestly didn’t think I would ever be doing this again,” Hugo said, never taking his eyes off the floor.

“Do what?” Alice asked.

“I thought things were over. Done. I was riding out time and waiting for . . . I don’t know what. And then I met you. You changed everything. Thank you.”

“Hugo . . . you’re welcome.” The smile faded from Alice as her joyful mood succumbed to Hugo’s somber tone. “You’ve done more for me than anyone. You changed me too. This is possible because you helped me make it happen.”

Hugo’s gaze met hers. Tears in his eyes, he smiled and nodded. “I’ve struggled to find the right words because I didn’t want tomess this up.”

“You haven’t messed anything up.”

“Alice Primrose,” Hugo said as he delved into his pocket. “You’re the adventure of a lifetime, and I?—”

Red and blue lights filled the grocery store. Banging noises against the front sliding doors echoed throughout the store. Hugo and Alice snapped their attention to the newfound commotion.

“I forgot to disarm the security alarm after we entered. Shit.”

Hugo and Alice froze, checking with each other for clues on what to do next.