“That is all very different,” I agree with a chuckle, getting out of the car and stretching my legs.
She follows my lead, and a bit of guilt washes over me as I realize I didn’t have time to help her out of her side.
Not that this is a date.
It’s not—I’m just helping her get settled.Normal New Hopewell volunteer committee things.
And this way I don’t have to touch a pumpkin.
Sylvie comes up beside me, pulling her blonde hair up into a messy pile on top of her head, taking in the hardware store.
“Y’all don’t mess around when it comes to Halloween, huh?”Her head tilts, and I follow her gaze.
Huge cardboard boxes overflow with pumpkins in every shape and size imaginable, including some I never would have imagined.One pile is a weird blend of orange, with huge green warty growths all over them.
Dried cornstalks are tied by the dozen in another enclosure, and planters exploding with maroon and orange flowers are shoved into every possible space.
“Yeah, our fall festival is a huge draw for tourists.Good for business.You could plan your opening for around then.”
“The way thinking about being ready to open has me ready to break out in hives…” She scratches her neck and I snort, then grow alarmed.
“Are you really going to break out in hives?”I am so not prepared to take her or anyone to the hospital.Hanging out at the hospital is way beyond the purview of my volunteer responsibilities.
I step closer to her, putting my hands on her upper arms and tilting in, inspecting her neck for the tell-tale bumps.Her skin is creamy and smooth, slightly freckled along her collarbones, and when I inhale, I catch the mouthwatering scent of marshmallows.
Marshmallows and something woody, like a campfire, and something floral I can’t quite put my finger on.
I inhale deeply, closing my eyes for a fraction of a second, losing myself in the way her arms feel in my hands, the way she smells—and then I open my eyes, realizing I’m being a total fucking weirdo.
Her eyes are wide, staring up at me in what must be alarm, her mouth just slightly opened, like she’s surprised.
It would take nothing at all to close the distance between us and kiss her.
“I don’t see any hives,” I tell her in a husky voice.
“That’s because I was joking.Are you okay?”
Immediately, I drop my hands, forcing a little laugh.“Sorry.I was worried.”
“Uh, that’s okay.Apparently everyone is worried about me today.”She shrugs her shoulders, pursing her lips.
I have got to stop looking at her lips.
Brushing my hands against my thighs, as if that would get rid of the feel of her skin against my palms, I set off towards the entrance.
I only look back once to make sure she’s following.
The grin on my lips surprises me—it’s a response to the one I see on hers.
6
Sylvie
I’m sweating.
This sort of purchase would have drained my bank account in the past, and the moisture under my armpits is a telling sign of just how stressed out spending this much on cleaning supplies is making me.
Thank the gods of hygiene I put on extra deodorant this morning.
