Page 15 of The Autumn Leaf Bookshop (Everly Hollow #1)

“Then the second day, we’re doing the Golden Twilight Market. From the golden rays of the sun to the twilight of the day, we’ll have more booths for shopping, food booths, and the adults will also see drink stands with a Sip Passport as they go from booth to booth.”

The Sip Passport is actually a brilliant idea and another fun thing to throw in, especially for adults wanting to try new drinks or even just tea or coffee.

“Days three and four are the carnival…”

“Nope.” I say, shaking my head, cutting her off.

Not this again. This is what caused us to only be this far in the planning. She wants to do two days of a carnival.

No.

And fuck clowns .

I shouldn’t have told her the budget is limitless.

“Ash.” She looks at me, her big, round, bright honey eyes.

“No. No carnival.” I stand up to go wash out my mug. “No clowns…I mean, no circus acts either. We don’t allow carnies in our town.”

She giggles but stands to follow me to the coffee bar.

“You know a carnival would be fucking awesome. The families would love it, and not just the kids, the adults too. We could even do a pie throwing contest too. You wanted fresh ideas? I’m giving them.

” She holds her hands out wide before tucking them back into her back pockets.

Great. Now I’m thinking about her ass again. I turn back to finish scrubbing the mug, giving it a quick rinse before drying and shelving.

“Okay, you have me there,” I say, turning around and leaning against the bar.

“But really, Ash, clowns?” Her nose wrinkles a bit before she laughs, and it’s the cutest fucking thing ever.

“We can do a carnival but no circus or clowns, but I will settle for a petting zoo. The baby animals at Elora’s farm would be a hit for the kids,” I say.

She holds out her hand. “Deal.”

I reach out, taking her hand in mine. It's small, soft, but feels perfect in mine. I give it a quick shake before releasing her. Holding it for a second too long. Maybe two.

“How about I order us a pizza?” I ask, voice a little rougher than intended. “Then we can power through the rest of this list. ”

She purses her lips. “Nice change in subject. Is the food magical, too?”

I smirk. “Well, it’s pretty damn good, stays piping hot in the box, and won’t get ruined in delivery. So maybe.”

“You didn’t have to persuade me this hard,” she says, turning away with a shrug. “You had me at stays hot. ”

There’s a notebook in front of each of us and the pizza within reach. I stretch my legs under the table. This might be my favorite part of festival planning so far.

She licks a bit of red sauce off her thumb before grabbing another napkin, and I swear I almost groan. The little noises she makes when she takes that first bite?

Damn.

She has one leg curled under her as she takes notes, proudly eating her pizza. I tear my gaze away and tap my pen against my notebook. Focus.

“So, day five,” I say, drawing her attention back from whatever pizza trance she was floating in. I lean back in my chair and give her a look. “How about a ball?”

Her eyes go wide and blink like she misheard me. I watch the wheels turn, and realization dawns as her lips curl into a slow smile.

“That is your idea?” she asks, setting down her crust and wiping her hands before pulling her notebook closer. “Look at you, Ash, throwing in fresh ideas of your own. ”

I shrug, but the grin I’m wearing is cheesy as hell while she sprinkles me with pride. “I figured the ladies would love it. Evening in the town square, twinkle lights, nice music, refreshments, gowns and suits…what’s not to love?”

Her pen is already scribbling. “Everyone can dress up as extravagantly as they want. We can have a dance floor, oh, and definitely live music!”

My brows raise. “See? I plant the seed, and you water it. Together we bloom.”

She laughs. “Oh, you wish, pumpkin.”

She taps the pen to her lips, thinking, then points it at me. “We need a signature cocktail, something moody and dramatic for the sixth night! Catered just for adults. Low lights, live music…we make it an experience.”

I nod, jotting it down. “Drinks. Velvet. Deep blues and purples.”

“Then on day seven, we end on a feast.”

I write it down, tap my pen to the paper, but my eyes are still on her. “Remind me why you don’t think you’re good at this?”

She smirks. “Oh, I know I’m good at planning, Ash. But for all of this,” her finger twirls slowly in the air, “I was tricked. Hoodwinked”

I lean closer, elbow on the table, chin in my hand. “If this is you tricked, I am itching to see what you do on purpose.”

The cool air greets us as I lean against the door frame of the shop's entrance. I feel pretty good about the Fall Festival right now. I went in not knowing what to add or change. I knew I needed to freshen it up, and when Vera volunteered, I was excited, but with Raene being a writer, she’s a natural.

She’s creative and sees the little details in things.

She pulls the edges of her sweater sleeves down, catching the fabric in the palm of her hand.

“I had fun,” she says, voice light. “The planning, getting to know you, and…the town.”

I nod, and it’s harder than it should be to keep my voice even. “I’m grateful for your help, Raene.” I mean it more than I expected to. The streetlamps catch in the shine of her hair and the softness of her face. She’s beautiful.

Fingers dancing in the air, she gives me a small wave. “I’ll text you.”

Then she smiles while tossing over her shoulder, “Bye, Ash.” She hops into her car, readies herself to leave, and drives away.

And fuck it if I don’t hope she texts me sooner rather than later.