Page 43 of Trick or Stalk

“Before you say anything, what happened today has nothing to do with your witchy intuition.”

“You’re in denial. I knew this was going to happen before it did.”

“Oh my God.”

“What?”

“You have to stop saying that.”

“I can't help being gifted.”

“You guessed that a bookstore might eventually hire an English major.”

“Of course. Witchy intuition.”

“Delusion.”

“Jealousy.”

I laugh.

“Seriously, Stella, I can hardly believe I got the job.”

“I knew you would.” Through the phone, I hear Stella’s heels clicking against the floor as she walks.

For a moment, envy tugs at me. I picture myself crossing a college campus on my way to teach a class.

“When do you start?”

“Monday.”

“So? Do you like it?”

“The bookstore?”

“No, Presley. The municipal sewer system.”

“Smartass.”

“You started it.”

I smile as I look toward the trees. “I love it.”

“See?”

“Don't.”

She laughs.

“It just feels... right.” My gaze returns to the porch. “Like coming home.”

The decorations move gently in the breeze.

“I think Grandma would've liked me working there.”

“She would've bragged about it to everyone she met.”

My chest tightens. “Yeah.”