Page 27 of A Hexcellent Chance to Fall in Love

I step into the modern space with an array of different types and colors of shoes that sit on little shelves along stark white walls.

A few tables also have taller boots that don’t fit on the equally spaced shelves.

And there are plush chairs in peach, pink, and gray.

A chandelier full of delicate crystal flowers is the centerpiece of the shop.

“Oh no, did those turquoise mules not work out?” The salesperson—with short wavy light brown hair and apricot skin, wearing a simple baby blue pantsuit—comes up to Pepper.

“They’re perfect,” she says. “My friend here could use your expertise, though.” Pepper turns in my direction. “Christina, this is Ainsley, and he is a shoe magician.”

“Stop,” Ainsley says before he takes my hand. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

“You’re a regular here?” I ask Pepper.

“She came in for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and we’ve been, like, BFFs ever since, isn’t that right, Pepper?”

“He’s right. I have a weakness for fabulous footwear.” She laughs, and Ainsley joins her.

“What is it that I can help you find today?” he asks. He has the fullest burgundy lashes, which make his brown eyes pop—maybe I need to get some colored mascara. But that’s not what he asked.

The options here are endless. If I’d come in on my own, I’d probably walk toward the simple black flats, or if I was still working in the corporate world, I’d look at those patent leather slingbacks, though that isn’t why I’m here.

Except now, surrounded by all these different colors and styles, I don’t know where to start. Black has always been my go-to.

“She needs something fun,” Pepper responds for me. “But they also have to be comfortable and versatile.”

I nod. How does she know me so well? “Exactly.”

Ainsley ushers me toward a high-back chair. “Have a seat, and I’ll work my magic.” He winks.

He takes a moment to measure my feet—I haven’t done this since I was a kid—making sure to get the exact length and width before parading around the shop plucking different options off the wall. He comes back and presents the first. “Gut reaction.” It’s a strappy wedge with a floral print.

“The shape is fine, but the pattern is a little much, and is it too high?” I grit my teeth. Am I being too picky? Should I try it on before I reach some of these conclusions? I love the way heels look—I just hate how they hurt my feet by the end of the day.

Ainsley nods like this was the answer he’d been expecting. “And this one is too plain, right?” He holds up another wedge in a brown leather.

I nod. “Yeah. I think so.”

“I know exactly the thing.” He stands. “I’ll be right back.” He abandons the pile of shoes and heads into the back. Do my feet stink? Is that why he ran away so fast? I didn’t notice before when I took off my boots, but then again, I wasn’t paying attention.

“This is just what he does,” Pepper says.

She’s seated in a chair opposite me, legs crossed, hands poised on the arms like she’s watching a show.

She looks so elegant. My family will probably like her more than they like me.

She has a confidence about her that I’ve never been able to achieve.

“What are you thinking about now?” she asks.

I curl my toes against the hardwood floor, and tuck my hair behind my ear. “Is it that obvious?”

“You just get this faraway look in your eye, and you bite your lip.”

My hand flies up to my mouth. “Do I?”

She chuckles. “It’s not a big deal. It’s actually kind of cute,” she says, and my cheeks get hot. “Just like when your face gets all rosy like that.”

I press my palms against my cheeks to try to cool them down—or cover them up, I don’t know. “I could never be a poker player.”

“Or a spy.”

This time, I laugh. “Is that a real job, or just in the movies?”

Pepper shrugs. “I think they’re called ‘intelligence agents’ now, but I’m pretty sure it’s the same kind of thing.”

“Makes sense,” I say. “Did you always want to work in the costume industry?” That sounded bad.

“I just mean you have such a way with fashion, it seems like that’s something you would do.

” My hands against my cheeks do nothing to cull the heat continuing to rush to them, which isn’t from the temperature in this place.

She smiles. “Actually, I always thought about teaching before I got into the costume industry, as you’ve so kindly called it.”

“Really? And what’s stopped you?” I ask. “It’s the pay, isn’t it?” It wouldn’t surprise me if working at a Halloween store paid more than being a teacher.

“It’s complicated.” She shakes her head. “How are you liking it, though? Think you’re going to keep it up?”

“I love the kids, and the administration is actually pretty reasonable—at least that’s what the other teachers say, since this is my first teaching job ever. But my family doesn’t get it. And the pay is criminal. All the extra hours, and with the haunted house…”

“It doesn’t give you much ‘you time,’ does it?

” She glances at the clock. Technically I should be at the house soon, and I need to go home and change first since I’m not about to ruin another outfit, but I have a purpose—there’s a reason I dressed up and made the trip to see her to begin with. It’s now or never.

I rub the scar on my arm. “I actually wanted to talk to you about something—”

“I think you’re going to love these.” Ainsley bursts out of the back room with a black box in his hands.

Pepper’s brows are raised like she’s curious what I’m going to say, but she leans back in her chair as Ainsley sashays our way.

He settles on the stool in front of me. “Comfortable, versatile, and fun.” He opens the lid and pulls out a black cloth bag, and from it he slides out one of the prettiest shoes I’ve ever seen.

It’s a royal blue wedge—not as tall as the others.

He lifts my foot and slips it on, and then he does the other. “Take them for a spin.”

Heels really aren’t my go-to anymore, but as soon as I stand, I remember why I used to wear them all the time.

A powerful feeling rushes through me—it’s like my back is straighter and my head higher, and not just from the couple inches the shoes give me.

I parade around the few tables and chairs like I’m walking on a cloud.

They don’t pinch or rub, and in the mirror, I study them, turning each foot this way and that.

They look—stunning. And they are prettier than any pair I’ve ever owned. More colorful, too.

Pepper comes up behind me. “You love them, don’t you?”

I nod, but then I notice the same shoes that are on my feet on a shelf next to the mirror, and the price listed is well outside of my teacher salary budget. “I don’t think—”

“I got you,” Pepper says, then her tongue pokes out of her mouth to wet her lower lip, and the heat inside me rises about a million degrees.

“Your receipt.” Ainsley comes up and hands something to Pepper. “Do you want to wear those out, or would you like me to box them up for you?”

I scrunch my brow. She did not. She absolutely couldn’t have. But she did. She totally just bought me the prettiest shoes I’ve ever owned, and the backs of my eyes tingle. “You didn’t have to.”

“You’re right, but the look on your face is worth it,” she says. “Plus, I work in the lucrative costume industry, so…” She winks and fireworks erupt in my stomach.

“Thank you,” I say to her, but it’s not enough to express the immense gratitude I feel—and it’s not about the price of the shoes or even the shoes themselves, but her words. The look on my face is worth it to her— I’m worth it. “I think I’ll wear them out,” I tell Ainsley.

“Excellent choice,” he says. “I’ll box your other shoes for you.” He heads back to the chair I was sitting in.

“You wanted to say something,” Pepper says. “Before.”

My pulse is racing, and all I want to do is reach out and kiss this girl in front of me, but instead I blurt out, “Will you go to my sister’s engagement party with me?”

Her brows raise and then they lower as she stares at me.

My heart stops. It was too much, too forward, too soon, I worry.

“On one condition,” she says. “You wear those shoes.”