Page 28 of The Autumn Leaf Bookshop (Everly Hollow #1)
It was waiting for you
Raene
T his week, I like Mondays. It’s been three weeks since Grandma’s surgery and two weeks till the fall festival begins, but I’m pretty damn excited about it. Just the thought of seeing all our plans coming to fruition makes me anxious, but in a good way, and excited.
Totally not falling for fall.
Grandma has been healing well. She’s putting more weight on her leg, and her recovery is going quickly. We have magic to thank for that. She’s even starting swimming this week.
But that’s not the only reason I’m smiling like the Cheshire cat as I eat my sandwich. This afternoon, Oriana, Jas, and I are going shopping for dresses at the boutique in town.
It’s not just any boutique, either. The owner, Ivy, is a modiste and a witch who weaves magic into every single stitch.
The reviews on her social media and website are raving five stars.
Even people from the city get dresses made by her.
Some are so beautiful I wouldn’t even want to wear them for fear of ruining them.
Some shimmer like starlight, like they’ve been blessed by the moon and stars themselves.
Oriana swears that Ivy can take your measurements, snap her fingers, and have a gown ready in days. It’s like something straight out of a fairy tale.
While I’ve never been to a ball, the excitement of getting all dressed up and having a dress made with love and magic makes my heart race a little. Maybe it’s because I know he’ll be there, Ash. I wonder what he’ll wear.
A suit? Tux? Will he wear those suspenders again? He and his fall-vibe charm are already deep under my skin, its claws sinking deep.
I pop a chip into my mouth, brushing crumbs off my fingers as I check emails. My publisher wants to finalize the draft deadline for the next book in my series.
I fire off a quick response, but my mind keeps wandering. It doesn’t help that a scribbled note sits beside my laptop, bearing the address to Flora’s apothecary in the hills.
Grandma thinks I just want to check out the shop like I promised her I would, but really, I’m going there for the tonic Oriana recommended. Because when a hot, fae male with golden eyes looks at you like he doe s, a girl has to be prepared.
Just thinking about our last encounter—tasting him, feeling him in my hands and my mouth—my God, I wanted him so badly to pick me up like he wanted and toss me on his bed, to have his way with all of me .
I was supposed to accumulate miles on this trip, not catch feelings, and I am.
The way he makes me feel when he says he misses me? When he asked me to stay, the plea in his voice was dangerous, intimate. The look he gave me, those goddamn fuck me eyes, like I’m the only thing he wants. It’s too much and not enough all at once.
I’m leaving in three weeks. Three. Weeks.
So what the hell am I doing? I keep telling myself this is just fun, a friend with benefits situationship, whatever I want to call it to make it sound casual. However, I’m a whole ass adult and I can do what I want, and can do whomever I want.
But the way my chest tightens when I think of him seems to be constant. Yeah. I’m in trouble.
Guess I’ll just enjoy it while I can. Before reality catches up and I have to leave this enchanted little bubble we’re in, and him along with it.
Me: Heading out now. Gotta run a quick errand first, then I’ll meet you at Ivy’s.
Oriana: Oh! Okay! Can’t wait!!
Jas: I’m already here, parked outside the boutique. I call dibs on first peek at the gowns. LOL. I am getting one for Seren too! She’s at the flower shop with Dominik today .
Elora: Ugh, I wish I could come! Next time, okay? I want one of Ivy’s dresses so badly, so I’ll have to see her in a few days. Too busy at the farm today.
Me: We’ll take pictures! If you want someone to tag along with you, let me know!
Elora: Deal. Love you girls.
I find Flora’s home easily. I love that her shop takes up a large part of it—it seems to be that way for many people here. Convenient and close to your passion.
The apothecary smells of lavender, herbs, and something rich I can’t place, maybe it’s from the hills. Glass bottles of every color and size line the shelves, each labeled in neat handwriting.
Flora, with her hair pulled into a bun and eyes bright with wisdom, greets me warmly. “Oriana mentioned you might be coming by.”
I offer a smile. I don’t mind Oriana speaking on my behalf to give Flora a heads up, but honestly, my chest hurts at the thought of the new friends I’ve made here, and that in just three weeks, I’ll be back to my life in the city.
She mixes the tonic right in front of me, a shimmering purple liquid that smells faintly of berries.
“One spoonful, once a week,” she explains.
“Pick a day and stick to it. It’ll take about twenty-four hours to settle into your system.
This will last you thirty days. You might notice mild cramping, maybe headaches, but if you feel unwell at all or something seems alarming, contact me immediately. ”
I slowly nod my head in understanding at the warning, but my nerves begin to fill with worry.
“Nothing to be scared of dear. No one has had any serious side effects. It’s just a precaution.
The ingredients are not dangerous, but too much of something in one person’s body can cause some issues.
You should adjust quickly, but it is natural, safe, and very effective.
” She slips it into a velvet pouch before handing it to me.
“Got it,” I say, clutching the small bottle like it’s something precious.
“And Raene?” Her eyes soften. “This visit stays between us. My shop is a safe place. Everything here is confidential.”
Relief washes through me. I’m open with my grandmother, and I know she and Flora are close, but this is something I really want to keep between Ash and me right now.
“Thank you, Flora. Truly.”
I wave goodbye, tucking the pouch into my purse and pulling out my phone to send another quick message to the group chat.
Raene: Done! Heading your way now.
Oriana: Hurry! Ivy just brought out a rack of gowns for some inspo, and I’m dying.
I grin and hurry toward the boutique, my heart skipping at the thought of what’s waiting. A dress spun from magic, and maybe the thought of Ash’s jaw dropping seeing me in it.
“There she is!” Oriana calls, waving me over. She takes a sip of the glass of champagne and hands me one. I feel like I’m starring in an episode of Say Yes to the Dress — Fall Ball Edition.
“Look at this,” she whispers to me, pointing to the dress on the rack beside her. It’s a mermaid-style dress in a light green. It’s sexy, beautiful, and the lace gives it a vintage feel.
“You will look absolutely breathtaking in this,” I murmur, my fingers running over the delicate lace.
“Thanks, doll.” She smiles, wrapping one arm around me and giving me a tight squeeze. “I want it in a pale blue, and she just measured me, but I couldn’t wait to show you. You think Malik will love it?”
I take a sip of the champagne, the bubbles dancing on my tongue. “Girl, you could wrap a white sheet around your body and tie it off with a rope, and still look stunning.”
She laughs, but her eyes shine in appreciation. “You know I can say the same thing about you, Rae. So, what color are you thinking?”
“To be honest, I’m not sure. I think I’ll just have to see if something speaks to me.” I turn to see Jas standing barefoot on the step riser in front of a mirror, twirling in a deep teal gown that hugs her curves like it was made for her. It’s a perfect fit.
“Rae, what do you think?” Jas says, practically glowing. “I’m thinking of a light purple tulle dress for Seren.”
“You look gorgeous, Jas,” I say, just as the modiste appears from behind a curtain .
She’s beautiful, tall, with rich mahogany skin.
Her hair flows down her shoulders in her natural curls.
Warmth and comfort just radiate from her.
She gives me a large smile and holds out a hand, that I quickly accept.
“You must be Raene,” she says, her voice deep, yet smooth.
“I’ve been told you need a gown that will make the whole room stop and stare. ”
Am I blushing? “Uh…what?”
“Mm.” Her sharp eyes scan me, head to toe, as she moves around me like she’s taking mental measurements without a single tape measure in hand. “I have just the thing.”
She glides to a rack and pulls out a dress that takes my breath away. Gold. Not just gold, it looks like it’s been poured and molded from sunlight.
The fabric is satin, and the neckline is off the shoulder, adorned with delicate golden appliques and beadwork.
The bodice is fitted like a corset, with intricate embroidery radiating downward like the rays of light from the sun.
The skirt sweeps the floor, with a high slit that reveals the entire right thigh and leg. It’s unbelievably sexy.
“This,” Ivy says, holding it out, “will complement your beautiful, brown skin most exquisitely. It’s a goddess gown. Ruskaya spoke to me when I was designing it.” Her hand glides over the fabric ever so gently. “And I think you’re the woman who deserves to look like one.”
“Oh, wow,” I breathe, reaching out to touch the fabric. It’s so soft, and the color is gorgeous.
“Go try it on,” Oriana nudges me, practically bouncing with excitement as she takes my glass from me.
“Yes!” Jas says, clapping her hands happily.
I hesitate just for a moment before stepping into the changing room with the gown, my heart pounding as if this is something life-changing, and maybe it is.
The dress slides over my skin. The gold glows against my complexion, and when I turn to look at the dress from every angle, there are no words. I’m speechless.
When I step out, the room is quiet.
“Oh, Rae…” Jas says, her eyes developing moisture and jaw agape. “That’s it. That’s the one.”
“Ash is going to eat you up,” Oriana adds, snapping her fingers to every word. “Turn around.”
I do, and she zips me up.
Ivy clasps her hands, beaming. “I knew it. We will take it in…just a little bit, but otherwise it’s perfect. So is the length. It was waiting for you.”