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As Bram adjusts Hades’s horns, I sort through the bags for the treats we bought from the pet boutique. The dogs gobble them up, then nose the bag, looking for more. I find pumpkin-shaped chew toys in the bags and distract the dogs with them.

Our bench gives us a great view of the stage set up on the side street beside us. Bram taps my arm. “Agnes is over there. Looks like the Rocktogenarians are on next.”

“Do you want to move so we’re in front of the stage?”

He wraps his arm around my shoulders. “Staying right here is fine.”

We can see and hear everything, and don’t have to worry about anyone banging into us or the dogs. “Sounds good.”

Dressed in various versions of leather and animal print, the ladies take the stage. Led by Rae, they warm up the crowd.

Bram calls out Agnes’s name and cheers. Hoisting her beloved blue guitar, she waves to us.

The music starts. The band plays a medley of Halloween-inspired songs, starting with “Monster Mash”, delving in and out of various genres, and ending with a cover of “Thriller” that’s so good, the crowd’s cheers drown out the final notes. Joining hands, the rockers take a bow.

As the applause dies down, I gather our bags. “We need to congratulate Agnes. They were so good.”

“I think she’s heading this way.” Bram stands and waves to his aunt. Agnes sees him, nods, and points in our direction. The dogs, lying at our feet, spot her and jump to their paws. Tails wagging, they pull on their leashes, and we let them lead the short distance out of the park.

Agnes meets us on the sidewalk. “Hello, dears. What fetching headbands.”

Smiling, Bram kisses her cheek. “Nice set. You were amazing.”

“Witchy Woman was my favorite,” I add.

“The crowd seemed happy, though I wanted dancers for that final song.” The shoulder of her blue leather jacket rises in a single-arm shrug. “Maybe next year. That will allow plenty of time to learn the choreography. How is the investigation into the new cryptids?”

“We’re still looking, but all we have so far is inconclusive evidence.” His apologetic shrug sets his sparkly bats bopping.

She glances over her shoulder at the crowd by the stage. “I’ve heard that things have been seen around town. Shadows blending into other shadows. Possibly the cryptids Eleanor and Rae saw. Do be careful when you’re out there. You’re always together, yes?”

The comforting weight of Bram’s arm comes around my shoulders. He places a light peck on my cheek. “Yes. We’re together.”

We’re together.

I want to be able to say that, and for it to mean that we are. Permanently. And the longer Bram is here, the longer we do… whatever this is, the more I want it.

Clasping her hands together at her heart, she smiles. “Good. Now, please excuse me. Rae promised us shots at The Striped Maple.”

“Do you need help carrying instruments or equipment anywhere?” Bram releases me so he can redirect Hades away from a melting chocolate ice cream cone smashed on the curb.

She shakes her head. “My friend Zeke arranged help for us. We’re all set.

See you later, dears. Tell Jo I wish her well with the pumpkin carving and I’ll try to stop by and see her tonight.

Good luck with the haunted house, Trevor.

The girls and I have tickets to tour it on Halloween.

” With a wave, she heads toward the stage.

Then she turns back. “Bram, dear, I didn’t forget your podcast. I’ll be sure to watch.

Now I must run, I can’t keep the girls and Zeke waiting. ”

I watch her walk away. “Shadows blending into other shadows around town? You’d think traffic cams or security cameras would catch them.”

“Unless they know which spots to avoid.” Bram sighs.

“I’ll put a call out on my site and socials, ask people to share if they capture anything.

I thought I saw something one night, when I was looking out the kitchen window, but it was gone too quick.

And Conall mentioned something about seeing a shadow when he was coming home from the pub, around three in the morning. ”

I remember Conall telling us about it when we stopped in The Striped Maple the night Bram’s podcast about Mabel aired, to taste-test possible drinks for the adult trick-or-treat. “He thought a streetlight was casting a raccoon shadow to look giant. Not that it was a cryptid.”

He gives a gentle tug on the leash to direct Hades away from a fire hydrant. “So we’re clear, I’m not thinking cryptids for this either. Probably a person or maybe an animal looking for food. But I don’t want to discount anything yet. It’s more to look into.”

“Yeah, it is.” And that could mean even more visits here.

My pulse quickens, but I tamp down the swelling excitement of more time together.

Not just because of the sex—which is off-the-charts amazing—but because I love spending time with my best friend.

It doesn’t do any good to wish for something that may not happen.

Bram has dozens of unexplained sightings to explore all over the world.

There’s no reason to believe he would want to spend more time in Maplewood after this.

Over the bullhorn, the announcer calls out the winners of the house decorating contest. Moon Meadows Maple Farm wins first place.

I tuck my arm through Bram’s. “How about one last detour through the vendors? Then we can head home.”

“Sure.”

We head inside the park and make our way through the throng of people to the vendors in the section we missed earlier. Bram stops by one booth selling black and white photos of wildlife. Bandit pulls the leash, so I shift with him and we move on to the next vendor.

Several crocheted animals and plants line the table on multi-tiered shelves, including mini versions of Mabel.

They’re cute and I have to buy one for Bram, if for no other reason than to see his smile when I give it to him.

If it happens to be a reminder of his time in Maplewood and our time together, all the better.

I press my palm to where the medallion he gave me lies under my layers of clothing.

The metal is warm against my skin, and it’s weight feels almost protective.

I pick up a green-eyed Mabel with leaves in various shades of green and a pink smile. “I’ll take this one, please.”

In the corner of my vision, Bram leaves the photographer’s booth.

For a second, I worry he’ll come here and my surprise will be ruined, but led by Hades, he heads toward a vendor selling bubbles.

A machine by the booth sends the rainbow orbs floating through the air, and Hades can’t get enough.

He jumps, trying to catch them, and seems surprised when they break upon hitting his nose.

When I meet up with them there, Bram nods toward the bag. “What did you buy?”

“Something for you.”

His eyes light up. “Really?”

“When I saw it, I immediately thought of you.”

“Now I’m curious.” He takes hold of Bandit’s leash, handling both dogs, and grasps my hand. “Do you want to go anywhere else?”

“No. I’m ready to go home.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

The walk home takes longer than usual with the crowd in the park and stopping for everyone who wants to pet or talk to the dogs. They, being the hams they are, love every minute of attention.

As soon as we’re inside my house, Bram removes the dogs’ leashes and costumes, and they run off to claim their nap spots.

“Can I open my present now?” He rubs his hands together like he’s been waiting for days and not twenty minutes.

“Go ahead.”

Instead of tearing into the bag, he carefully opens it and peers inside. His brows draw together. “You got me a plant made of yarn?”

I chuckle. “No. You’ll see. Take it out.”

He reaches inside then draws his arm back. Slowly, the mini cryptid is revealed. A surprised huff-laugh puffs from his chest. “Mabel?”

“Yeah. She's the one who started you on your cryptid adventures, so now, she can accompany you on every one.”

He clutches Mabel to his chest, stroking the top of her leafy head with a finger, then carefully sets her on the center of the table. “This is… I can’t find the right words, but thank you. I love it.”

“She’s cute.” We stand next to each other, admiring her.

“She is. But the meaning behind it is what I’ll remember every time I see her.” He tugs off his headband and lays it beside Mabel.

There’s a sheen in his eyes as he closes the distance between us. He slowly removes my headband. It lands on the counter with a clatter. I don’t check where because I’m too focused on the slow slide of his hand in my hair. His other hand clasps my side and he pulls me against him.

Up close, I can see my reflection in his gaze.

When his lips land on mine, we open for each other, taking the kiss deeper. Every swipe of his tongue is a caress, every stroke of his hand through my hair, a promise, and I lose myself in the sensations. I’m spellbound by his touch and transfixed by his presence.

We come up for air, and I keep him in my embrace, holding him as tenderly as he’s holding me. The soft smile and the way his eyes shine is reserved for me alone. I’m sure I’m sharing the same expression because my heart’s beaming with the happiness that comes from being with him.

Things feel different now. Like I’m falling deeper and faster with no way to slow my momentum. It’s as scary as it is thrilling. All I can do is hold on to Bram and hope that we won’t crash and burn.