Page 28 of A Hexcellent Chance to Fall in Love

Until the Store Closes

Pepper

Spending time with Christina was uncomplicated—or as uncomplicated as it could be with all her job and haunted house responsibilities and my faux work obligations.

When I was with her, it was easy to forget that I was cursed, and that in a little over a month, I’d go into “hibernation” (which sounded better than what it was really like) until the following Halloween.

Because being with her was the first time in years that I felt really, truly alive.

I hadn’t actually thought about what that meant before.

It was a whole gamut of emotions that danced across my skin each time the wind blew and a sense of presence I hadn’t had since becoming Keeper.

I was there, but not really. Being with Christina was a gift—a missing ingredient from a recipe that elevated the dish from good to delicious.

It was something I hadn’t realized had been missing, though now that I knew what it tasted like, I didn’t want anything else.

For the past week we’d been stealing the little moments she had between all the busy things in her life to spend some time together that didn’t require paint, or fake blood, or teens running around.

Although it didn’t mean everything Halloween related wasn’t off the table.

I’d slowly been converting Christina to the dark side—enjoying the upcoming holiday and all it had to offer that wasn’t gore and human remains.

Today before Christina had to be at the haunted house, I let her introduce me to the Clover Creek farmer’s market.

To be fair, it had been a year since I’d last been to the event, which closed down Orange Street from sunup until early afternoon.

Only I’d usually wander from booth to booth on my own, sampling fresh-made jams and sipping something warm from the coffee cart.

It was different being here with someone.

I really couldn’t remember the last time I’d done it even with just a friend.

But it was especially different being here with Christina.

“How do you feel about dill?” she asked, holding a pretzel stick with some kind of white creamy glop on one end.

“I feel very positive about dill,” I responded. “Is this a trick question?” I was still getting used to the way she liked to tease me.

She popped the pretzel in her mouth, then produced one for me. “I’d have serious reservations if you didn’t.”

Christina had also become much more relaxed around me, so maybe that was why things felt so simple being with her.

She didn’t always have the most optimistic views, but once she let her guard down, she also didn’t always take herself too seriously.

Like today and snacking on things with strong flavors like dill, garlic, and blue cheese; she hadn’t once covered her mouth as though worried about the smell of her breath.

She didn’t hesitate trying any of them at all—and I loved that for her.

She fed me the pretzel and watched intently as I chewed. Mrs.Dobbs’ Delicious Dips were tasty, but if we walked just a few more stalls down, Stacy’s Snacks were just a little bit better. Still, I pretended not to know these things as I slowly finished the snack and then swallowed.

A smile spread across Christina’s face. “Good, right?”

“Yes,” I agreed. “But maybe we should go around and try them all before we make any commitments.”

“That’s a great idea,” she said. “Plus, that means more samples.”

“Exactly.”

She grabbed my hand and pulled me to the next tent, which was full of gorgeous handmade jewelry.

The sign read, Charmed, I’m Sure, where a woman with dark brown skin and wild purple hair pulled into a large bun on top of her head worked behind a small counter setting a stone in what looked to be an earring.

She was mesmerizing to watch as she chatted with another woman, who was asking her questions about her work.

“Mrs.Stein,” Christina said. “So good to see you.”

The woman who was watching turned, and oh my, it was Mrs.Stein, the school counselor.

It had to have been at least three years since I’d seen her last, but she looked almost the same with her wavy salt-and-pepper hair hanging loosely around her shoulders.

She’d traded in her tortoiseshell glasses for a pair of red frames, which stood out against her pale cheeks, and her crow’s feet had become a little more pronounced.

“How are you feeling?” Christina asked, concern coloring her voice.

Now that she mentioned it, Mrs.Stein didn’t look as spry as she once did—although I wouldn’t have called her old before, she wasn’t exactly the youngest person on staff, at least not while I was there.

And if I remembered correctly, she had become a grandma for the first time just before I took over as Keeper of the Store.

Mrs.Stein shook her head. “They’re doing more tests. But I’m trying to stay optimistic.” That sounded just like the Mrs.Stein I knew. She’d helped me find the bright side of things more than once when we worked together.

“That’s good,” Christina responded.

“The school is suggesting early retirement.” Mrs.Stein shook her head. “Enough about me, who’s your friend?”

“Pepper White. Pleasure to meet you.” I held out a hand, not waiting for Christina to introduce me—it was an activity I was more than used to from years of experience, telling people who I was when I already knew them very well.

“Virginia,” she said. “Lovely to meet you, too.” Mrs.Stein’s hand felt frail in mine as we shook. That was new. “Are you shopping for anything in particular today?”

“Just a little browsing before I have to head to the haunted house,” Christina answered.

“Oh, that’s right. How’s it coming along?”

Christina bit her lip.

“It’s going to be awesome,” I responded for her.

“Everything’s on schedule.” Okay, maybe I didn’t know that for sure, but no one needed to think any differently.

As wonderful as Clover Creek was, it was still a small town, and gossip was very much a thing.

No need to plant any seeds of doubt, especially when Christina had been working so hard.

And no matter what, the event would go on—those kids would make it happen—and it would be fantastic.

“That’s great to hear,” Mrs.Stein said.

“Well, I’ll let you get to it. My daughter’s coming over later and she’s got ‘big news’ to share.

I think I’m going to be a grandma again, so I need to get some cookies, and I already got some other snacks.

” She held up a bag from Stacy’s Snacks, and Christina slid a quick glance at me—likely thinking we needed to check that place out.

I said goodbye and let Christina and Mrs.Stein have a moment as I wandered around. At a special table with Halloween-themed jewelry on display, the scent of Christina’s rose perfume announced she was there before she came up beside me.

“That’s so sad about Mrs.Stein.” She gestured with her head. “All she ever talks about are her kids and grandkids and wanting to see them grow up.”

“What’s wrong with her?”

“Cancer?” Christina shook her head. “I’m not totally sure, but she’s been out of work awhile, and just now she mentioned she hopes she gets to see her newest grandchild before she’s gone.”

“That’s sad,” I confirmed. My heart clenched.

It had been a long time since I’d seen my own parents.

Even if they didn’t remember me, it would’ve been nice to know they were still around—still happy.

I think the reason I never went to see them was that I didn’t want to know if something bad had happened to them or if one of them wasn’t around anymore.

It was easier to think they were living their best child-free lives—even if I was an adult.

“If there was only something that could help her stick around, you know?” Christina said. “Health care is such a mess.”

It wasn’t great before, but it only made sense it hadn’t gotten any better, so I nodded as I scanned all the bat rings and potion necklaces.

A pair of skeleton earrings caught my eye, each little metal bone a separate piece hooked together with some type of thin wire.

When I picked them up and shook them, the little bones clinked together with a soft and happy little tone.

“These are so cute,” I said and jiggled them again for Christina.

“They look heavy,” she said.

I shook my head. “They aren’t really. Here.”

She took them from me, dipping her hand up and down, testing their weight. “They’d look cute on you.” She held them up to my ear.

My eyes locked with hers. “They aren’t too scary for you?” I teased.

Her lips pulled up on one side.

I wanted to lean in and kiss them but instead said, “But what if they’re cursed and make the person wearing them go on a killing spree?”

She broke out into a giggle. “I mean, I suppose it’s possible.”

“Or maybe they make the wearer fall madly in love.”

Christina bit her lip.

I raised my brows. How I wished I could see inside that brain of hers.

“There’s only one way to find out.” She smirked before taking them up to the counter to purchase them.

“Someone’s feeling brave.” I nodded toward the little pink bag in her hand when she had finished.

“Oh, these aren’t for me.” She handed the bag over.

“You want me to test them out?” I laughed. “What if I go on a killing spree?”

“I’m sure there are some people who probably deserve it.” She shrugged.

“Fair point,” I said. She was so funny.

“Besides, not all curses are bad, right?” She leaned in and her lips brushed against mine. “I think we should test them out.”

“You mean I should.”

She smiled and nodded. “I knew you’d understand.”

I leaned in and kissed her again; the dill flavor from earlier still clung to her lips.

The alarm on her phone went off, breaking us apart as she checked it.