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“Hi, Moonlight.”

Her blush deepens as she tucks a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

She grabs her pad and pen, attempting to slip back into waitress mode.

“What can I get you?”

I tilt my head back and forth, as if weighing my options.

“I’d like to ask for something off the menu.”

“Oh,” she says nervously. “I can’t make any promises. Darren might make the order…or he might storm out here and ask if you’re illiterate.”

I wince.

“Rough day?” I ask tentatively.

She casts a quick look over her shoulder before turning back to me and taking a step closer. The warm scent of caramel and pear envelopes me. Instinct has me leaning closer. I try not to inhale too deeply, but I’m happily drowning in her scent.

“Remember when I texted you about the beer delivery guy?”

“The one who showed up late and then dropped a keg that exploded all over Darren?”

She nods her head vigorously.

“We had another delivery today. When he wheeled the keg in, he clipped a crate with some kind of special liquor for the Halloween festival. It knocked over, and a few bottles broke. I didn’t think the shade of red Darren turned was possible.”

“Oh shit. Not the cinnamon apple ale.” I whisper.

“That’s it.”

I whistle low. “Darren brews that himself—family recipe that’s been passed down through the generations. It takes him months to brew and bottle. It’s only served at the Halloween festival. I’m surprised the pub is even open.”

“It’s been…tense. So with that in mind, what would you like?”

My nerves finally hit, and I take a slow breath in to steady myself. I reach over, grab the flowers, and hold them out to her. Her eyes go wide as she carefully takes them from me.

“Auggie, these are beautiful.”

“I was wondering if you’d like to go to the Halloween festival with me?”

She looks at the flowers, then at me.

I’m graced once more with a lovely smile.

“I’d love to.”

Halle-fucking-lujah!

Relief crashes through me.

Somehow, by some deity-given miracle, we’ve had a breakthrough, and she said yes.

How I manage not to smile so hard my face cracks, I don’t know.

“The festival is technically all day, but the fun stuff happens when the sun sets. How about I pick you up about an hour before then? We can grab some food and wander all the stalls.”

Cordelya’s eyes light up, her whole body radiating excitement.