“Are we onCandid Camera?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’d ask the same of you. Why are you so flustered?”
“Oh shit. Here we go.”
For the life of me, I cannot figure out what has happened in the last ninety seconds of my morning. Miles looks like he’s trapped in a horror movie with no escape.
But my gaze swings away at the sound of a deep, gravelly voice calling his name.
I turn to spot a woman walking determinedly toward us, long velvet dress billowing around her, a stack of bracelets janglingalong her wrist, and a large pale crystal swinging between her very ample bosom. Coupled with her shoulder-length, tight curls streaked in gray, bouncing around her, she totally nails the eerie, mysterious vibe, which I assume is the impression she’s aiming for.
“Hello, Miles,” she greets, except her eyes don’t leave mine. I reach for Miles’s hand. “And who is this? Wait, don’t tell me?—”
“God help me,” Miles groans, right as she says my name without prompting.
“Ruby.” The woman grabs my free hand, holding it in both of hers. “I knew you would come.”
She’s so sincere, imploring me with a firm gaze and eyes so pale I wager they’re contacts. It’s too much, and I bust out laughing. This is too dumb for words.
The woman’s not fazed, however. She’s also still holding my hand.
“I told you, Miles. I said the planets aligned for you last month, and your precious gem would soon be revealed.”
Staring at Miles, I wait for him to tell me this is all a prank. But if anything, he looks scared.Andannoyed.
“Welcome to Valentine Nook, dear. I’ve been waiting for you to come along for quite some time, as has Miles. You’ll be very happy here.” She beams at me and blinks slowly.
“Thanks . . . I guess.”
“You two have a bright future ahead.”
I laugh. It’s the strangest interaction I’ve ever had, and I honestly can’t take it seriously. “I hope so. We have tournaments to win this summer.”
“You will, and pop into the shop any time, my dear. I have a freshly brewed batch of golden luck potion?—”
“I will, thank you.” I’m definitely warming to this woman.
“All right. Thanks, Agatha,” says Miles, finally breaking from his glower. “We need to get going now.”
He pulls me away, marching us down the street until I’m in danger of my arm being pulled from the socket. I can’t believe he’s so annoyed. In fact, the more annoyed he looks, the harder I laugh.
“Miles . . . jeez, slow down.”
He stops us so suddenly that we get tangled in the leash of a dog walking behind us.
“Sorry, Agatha is so infuriating.”
I shrug. “I thought she was funny.”
“She’snotfunny,” he grumps. He’sthisclose to stamping his foot.
“You’re not scared of that woman, are you?”
“Of course not,” he scoffs. “I’m only scared of spiders, and those inside-out cats. She’s annoying, that’s all.”
Except the way he’s not meeting my eye makes me think he's lying, and I come too close to calling him out. This uncomfortableness is a new look on him, and I have an overwhelming urge to reassure him. If I could only stop laughing.
