“This is a nice place, by the way,” I say, suddenly overwhelmed with how fucking awkward this is.“Thanks for inviting me out, uh, sorry to be the bearer of bad news.Be a Bad News Bear.I definitely want a beer.How’s Aiden?”
I wince at the godawful segue.
Prudence huffs out a laugh, then nudges me until I resume petting her.
“He was definitely sad when you were late,” Tara says, batting her eyelashes at me.“Not that you care, right?You’re just friends.You’re both very clear about that.”
“Fuck being friends and fuck,” Em says.
I choke on my own spit.
“Sorry, not sorry.”Em holds up her hands in mock surrender.“I’ve played the ‘we’re better as friends’ game and it’s a waste of time.If you’re into him, just go for it.What’s the worst that can happen?”
“Uh, he decides he hates me and now it’s awkward because my two newest friends in town are also friends with him?”
“Fair point,” Em says, pursing her lips.“But the thing is, we’re all witches now, bitches, so witches before hoe-bros.”
“I don’t even know what to say to that,” Tara tells her, then grins at me.“But for the record, I agree.Go for it, and be normal if it doesn’t work out.”
“I don’t know that I even want to go for it,” I say.“He’s cute, yeah, like really cute, and nice, but we literally just met yesterday.It’s not like we’re wasting years of time here.”I laugh at that, but Em frowns at me.
Oh.I guess she did waste years of time in the friend zone.
“Sorry,” I mutter.
“Nah, don’t apologize.You’re just going to have to put up with me and Tara pushing you and Aiden together forever.”
It’s a mark of how much I’m lying to myself about being attracted to Aiden that she makes me blush.
“Live and learn and get laid,” Prudence declares.
“That is… that is not how the saying goes.”I shake my head.
Em’s staring at Prudence again like the cat’s grown another head, and then she doubles over laughing.“Oh my god, I’m so glad you moved here and have a talking cat.This is the best thing ever.”
“We did need some fresh meat,” Tara says, beaming at me.“We’re gonna get your ghosties figured out, Sylvie, okay?Tonight, though?Tonight we’re going to drink free at Em’s husband’s bar and enjoy being alive.The ghosts are dead, they ain’t going anywhere.”She gives me a meaningful look, but I’m not sure that I know what the hell she means by it.
Typical me.
“I mean, let’s hope they don’t go anywhere,” I say slowly.
That’s a sobering thought, that the mean-ass poltergeists with a penchant for pelting me with lemon Pledge could get loose and terrorize the people of New Hopewell.
Citrus-scentedeverything.
I shudder.
“Nah, if they were going to bother places besides your store, they already would be,” Tara says.
“You seem pretty sure about that.”
“If there’s one thing Tara and I have dealt with, it’s ghosts.Ghosts and murderous pawn shop owners.”Em nods at her own declaration, as if it makes total sense.
“Alright, let’s get out there and have fun.”
“Nope.”Prudence hisses.“You three need to agree on when you’re dealing with the bookstore ghosts before you’re all too drunk to see straight.”
“She’s not wrong,” I say.“Rude, probably, but also right.”
