Page 12 of A Hexcellent Chance to Fall in Love

“Oh, I love that brand.” I used to wear it all the time. “I’ve never seen that color before, though.”

She shakes her head and scoops up another spoonful of cake. “Must be new.”

I take another bite, and she sips whatever she has in her mug—chai maybe, with the sweet scent of ginger.

The chatter of conversations echoes around us.

Outside, the wind seems to have died down a bit, and the clouds have started to move on—turning into the best kind of night, where the crispness in the air makes you feel alive.

Inside Déjà Brew the chairs are comfortable, there’s a fireplace in the middle for when—like today—it’s cold.

A woman closer to the fire slowly sips her coffee, paperback book in hand.

In the summer here, they open the back doors to an expansive patio and garden, where you can sit and lounge for hours.

They’ve also been known to partner with The Book Burrow and host story hour out there when the weather is nice.

Not that I’ve been to it, but I’ve always wanted to check it out—even if it is mostly for kids.

It felt weird going on my own, but maybe if Pepper is still in town, she’d want to go with me.

“What are you thinking about?” she asks.

My cheeks heat up. Oh crap. Fantasizing about spending more time with her when we hardly even know each other sounds like the most embarrassing thing in the world, so I blurt out, “Tattoos,” which makes no sense at all.

Her brow scrunches up. “As in thinking of one you regret, or wanting to get one?”

“Oh, I don’t have any. I think they’re beautiful, but I’m so indecisive. Like what if I get something here”—I touch my shoulder—“and then I figure out I should’ve gotten something else and now I can’t? Although I have been considering getting some ivy around my ankle.”

“Really? Why?” Her head jerks back. “Sorry. I just…Would you…?” She takes a breath. “Ivy. Around your ankle, you were saying.”

I take a sip of my drink, my mouth feeling a little dry. “My grandmother’s name was Ivy, so I thought…It’s stupid.” I rub my forearm where the crescent-shaped scar is.

“Was?” Her voice sounds tentative.

“She passed away six months ago.”

Pepper presses her lips together, and either it’s the lighting or her eyes have gotten a little glassy. “I’m so sorry. That must’ve been tough.”

“Thanks. Yeah. We were pretty close, so I thought of maybe an ivy tattoo to remember her. But it’s a big commitment, you know?”

And there those brows go again.

“Not that I’m not committed to things.” Regardless of what my father says. “I commit to lots of things. Like relationships, I’m fully committed to those. Too much sometimes if you ask people about my ex.” Just stop talking, Christina.

She nods like she understands. “You’re loyal.”

“Exactly.” I’m not entirely sure how she was able to decode what I was trying to say so easily, but I’m glad she did.

Maybe she’s some kind of magician. Or she’s used to talking to rambling fools who are really good at tripping over themselves.

I let out a long breath and lean back a little more in my chair.

“That’s not a bad thing,” she says.

“No. It’s not.” I take another drink of my mocha, mostly to stop the verbal diarrhea spewing out. It’s not that Pepper makes me nervous; it’s like when she’s around, I can’t stop myself from oversharing.

“Anyone you choose to be with is very lucky,” she says, and my mouth is once again dry. “Are you seeing anyone now?” The question comes out so naturally, but her gaze never disengages from mine.

“No.” I cough and take another drink. “No. I haven’t dated for like forever. Small towns also have their drawbacks.”

She lifts her mug but doesn’t bring it to her lips. “Are you thinking about moving?”

I shake my head. “If it were up to my family, I’d already be gone, but I like it here. How about you? Are you planning on sticking around?” That sounded casual, right? Not like I’m hoping she’ll say yes, or anything.

“It’s possible.” Although her mouth is hidden behind her mug, the corners of her eyes crinkle. “The people here are really interesting.” She looks directly at me when she says it, and then she keeps her eyes connected with mine as she takes a drink. Her lashes are long and hit her brows with ease.

“I’m glad I ran into you.”

“That seems to be our thing.” She smirks, reminding me of how I literally ran into her at the store when we first met. “How are things going with your haunted house? Anything I could help with yet?”

“I’m still kind of just organizing, but soon, I promise.” I take another sip of my coffee. “Be careful what you ask for. There’s a lot to do.”

She chuckles. “Well, I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t want to help. Plus, I have the time, and I like being around you.”

The fire is extra hot in here tonight. I take off my sweater and try to ignore the heat growing inside me and the way that comment makes me feel. “You probably don’t have to take your work home with you.” I point to the open laptop.

“Not like this, no.” She shakes her head. “I’m not keeping you, am I?”

“Not at all.” I do have to get this work done, but I don’t want her to leave.

Except it’s more than just that. Aside from Cami, I don’t really hang out with anyone, and this has been nice—more than nice.

Plus, she said she likes being around me.

I take a deep breath. “Actually, I was thinking about getting some Thai food. And since you got the tacos the other night…Or if you don’t like Thai—”

“I’d love to.” Her whole face lights up.

“Then maybe we should…”

She nods. “I’ll get a to-go box for the cake.” She gets up from the table as I pack my things.

A few minutes later, we’ve both put on our jackets and are walking down the street toward Thai Society.

There’s a light breeze from behind that pushes my hair into my face, and I have to keep tucking it back.

Pepper wears a knitted rainbow hat with a fluffy white ball on the top, her dark hair hanging in loose waves around her shoulders.

The tips of her emerald green shoes peek out from under her pants and clack against the concrete.

Persimmon Street is mostly restaurants, so there’s a blend of smells swirling through the air. The neon lights from inside Brain Freeze make Pepper’s hair look purple as we pass.

“Have you tried the ice cream here?” Pepper gestures toward the shop.

“I think it was the first stop I made when I moved into town, and I’ve been back regularly since.” I laugh. “Everything is so good. And if you go in when it’s not busy, they’ll let you taste as many flavors as you want.” Which is good for me. I can never seem to decide.

“Good to know,” she says. “Although I’m pretty boring when it comes to my ice cream flavors.”

“You’re a vanilla girl. I knew there had to be something wrong with you.”

Pepper laughs. “Strawberry, but still, I know. Boring.”

“I think I’ve tried their strawberry, although I don’t remember it very well,” I say.

She pushes, then stumbles back as she attempts to open the door to Thai Society for me—the same way Cami did last time we were here. “Maybe I can buy you a scoop sometime.”

The streetlight near us flickers, Pepper presses her back into the heavy wood door to hold it open, the strong scent of jasmine pushing its way out from inside, and a chill races up my spine.

Something about this—the blinking light, the heavy door wide open, and the thought of ice cream—all feels familiar.

“After you,” Pepper says.

I walk in past her, but I can’t shake the feeling. Cami and I had been talking about ice cream the last time we came here, too—it’s right next door after all. I’m just being weird. I give myself a little shake and smile back at Pepper. “I hope you like it.”

“I’m here with you. What’s not to like?” She winks, and my heart takes a tumble of its own.