Page 34 of Flirty Fall Fling

BLAIRE

“Oh, please make sure to get underneath. It’s always so wavy under there,” I say.

Winter pulls the flat iron through another section of my hair. “Yes, and then I’m going to make sure your center part is perfectly straight. Morticia demands perfection.”

I laugh. “Do you think it’s too kitschy?”

“Hell no. It’s a great costume. Immediately recognizable. And you look hot.”

Josie enters the bedroom with a dress on a hanger. “I steamed every wrinkle meticulously. Should fit like a second skin now, guaranteed.”

“Thank you so much.”

She stands in front of me. “Still being weird?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You alphabetized the tea this morning.” She pulls black tourmaline from her pocket and presses it into my palm. “It’s because of Jamie, isn’t it?”

I roll my eyes. “No.”

The lights flicker.

“Liar,” Winter says.

There’s no rebuttal that would convince either of them. I don’t even believe myself. It’s been three days since I left Jamie in the cemetery with the spirit box and the last of the candles. The conversation we had out there has been playing on repeat ever since. What happened shouldn’t have, and I’m blaming the witches’ brew. If we’re meant to see each other again, we will, and if we’re not, then walking away was the smartest thing I’ve done all season.

Twenty minutes later, the girls help me slide into the black dress. It goes to the floor with a slit up one side, and the neckline makes my boobs look great. Winter works on my part, then lets the rest of my long hair fall straight down my back. Afterward, Josie does my makeup. Before long, she’s leading me to the mirror in the bathroom to show me the dark eye shadow, crimson lipstick, and contour that makes my jawline look snatched.

My mouth falls open. I can’t remember the last time I looked this great.

“You’re a total smokeshow,” Winter says. “So sad I won’t be able to make it tonight.”

“Me too,” Josie says. “Please go and break some man’s heart tonight.”

I playfully pout. “Don’t wish that upon me. I’m going to make an appearance, stay for ‘Happy Birthday,’ then sneak out before anyone notices.”

“Are you nervous?” Winter asks.

“No. I just dislike not knowing everyone in my space. I pick up on energy too easily.” I tuck the tourmaline into the bodice, where the neckline hides it and where it won’t fall out. “But I promised Autumn I’d be there, so I’ll keep my word. She still hasn’t let me live down the Fourth of July celebration.”

“Honestly, she probably never will. But you know she always thinks no one is going to show up to the parties she and Zane host.” Winter laughs. “And it doesn’t help that Julie and I won’t be there. You’re it.”

“Exactly. Thank you both for being my fairy godmothers.” I grab my phone. “Have fun volunteering. I’ll be back before you, probably.”

On my way out, I bend down to pet Charlie, but he scurries away. I’m trying my best not to take it personally.

The drive to Cozy Creek takes forty minutes. I spend the first ten flipping between radio stations before I give up and shut it off. As soon as it’s quiet, my thoughts go straight back to the cemetery and the kiss I keep pretending was the brew’s fault, which is exactly why I turn the music back on and sing along with Britney Spears the rest of the way over the pass.

At the last red light before the valley, the mood ring catches my eye from the cupholder, right where I dropped it on Thursday night. I slide it onto my pointer finger. The band is gray against my skin.

Hollow Manor sits at the end of a private drive on the ridge above Cozy Creek, toward the far side of Xander Ski Resort. The black mansion is lit up, and every window in the house has a pumpkin in it. A valet in a tux and a gorilla mask takes my keys, and I climb the front steps behind a couple dressed as a plug and an outlet. Spooky music plays overhead, so at least I know what kind of night this will be.

Autumn spots me before I fully enter the foyer. She’s in a red dress with little devil horns, and she shrieks loud enough to turn heads.

“Morticia!” She grabs both my hands and holds my arms out to inspect me. “You look gorgeous. Holy shit.”

“You’re one to talk. The horns suit you, ya little devil.”