Page 108 of Flirty Fall Fling

“I won’t tell you what you should or shouldn’t do. However … I think since your workplace was doxed, it would be in your best interest to stay out of sight. They will park themselves on the sidewalk to take videos and pictures of you through the windows. There’s nothing you can do because it’s a constitutional right. If you want privacy in public, it’s your responsibility to ensure that.”

My brows crease. “They wouldn’t.”

“They will,” Patterson says. “Many want to know more about Blaire Wardwell. Once you feed the monster, it won’t stop.”

“But I can’t let this affect my life,” I say, glancing between them. “That’s exactly what I didn’t want.”

Nobody argues with me. That’s worse than if they did.

“I’ll join you,” Jamie tells me. “We can scope it out, and you can make a decision then. It could be nothing. I tend to think the worst in situations like this.”

“Okay,” I tell him. “I’m going to change. Then we can go.”

He gives me a nod. I go upstairs and change into the clothes I had on yesterday, knowing I’ll need to go home and shower before work.

On the way down the mountain, he holds my hand. The sky is transforming from a beautiful pink to a breathtaking blue. By the time we arrive in Pine Haven, the streets are packed with people and pumpkins on the sidewalks. October is in full force with the tourists already shopping. The bakery has a line out the door, and so does Roasted Bean.

When we turn at the bank, I count at least twelve people standing on the sidewalk outside my shop. I glance down at the clock on the dash, and it says it’s 7:15 a.m.

We don’t open until ten. Jamie doesn’t slow down, but I duck in the seat. He makes another turn on the back street that leads behind the manor. He pulls off to the side, and I stare out the window at the colorful leaves rustling on the sidewalk.

“What do you want to do?” he asks.

I close my eyes, then face my palms upward. I wait and listen for someone or the universe to give me a nudge in the right direction.

“What are you doing?” he whispers.

“Meditating,” I tell him, trying to slow my breathing.

“Oh, okay,” he says, getting quiet.

I peek, seeing his eyes are closed, and he’s got his palms up like mine. I try to hold back a smile but then go back to it. A month ago, we were casting spells to break his curse, and now this man is manic meditating with me in his car.

The sound of songbirds in a nearby tree is all I hear. There’s no pull or no push or intuition download. My aunt used to say neutrality to situations is an answer too.

My phone vibrates in my lap, and we both jump.

Autumn

I can’t believe you’re dating Jameson and didn’t tell me first!

I realize it’s a group chat, and she’s added Julie, Winter, and Josie. My heart starts to race.

Winter

I knew!

Josie

Me too!

Jules

I’m actually pissed about this.

Julie sends a link to the article that shows pictures of Jamie and me in Salem.

Josie