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My own powers seemed to have settled down again, though they still felt different. Odd, not necessarily in a bad way, but sometimes I could feel something ripening in my bones, like things were growing and shifting inside me—changing. Hopefully the coven would be able to help me with whatever new shape my magic was taking. With a Blood Witch, a Blood Warlock, a fae vampire and a shapeshifting mannequin, I still wasn’t the most unusual member, so that was comforting, at least.
Whatever had been plaguing my usual supply company seemed to have just as mysteriously cleared up again, and they’d sent me my long overdue shipment. I’d been hard at work ever since, restocking my potions and catching up on orders. I still had a few the coven had helped me brew to keep me going until I got caught up, and I’d never stop being grateful for that. It gave me a little bit of breathing room, even with all the tourists in the city. Summer was always a busy time in Haven Hollow.
And the other day, when I’d been out and about running errands, I’d run into Marty on the street and he’d smiled and waved at me. I’d been so relieved that I almost cried, but I didn’t want to make everything weird so I just smiled and waved back. It gave me hope that I hadn’t ruined everything between us, that someday I could have my friend back and it would be just like it had been when I’d first met him. It was weird that it had taken a vengeance-driven fury to help us get to this place, but I guess I’d take my wins where I could get them.
It had also really helped to have the confirmation that I’d done the right thing for both of us. I deserved to have the relationship I wanted, and Marty deserved someone who loved him as much as he loved them. I knew my vision on Christmas Eve, even if had been just a dream, was right and it was true.
Things had been so hectic, especially with me sleeping a truly ridiculous amount, that I hadn’t really gotten a chance to talk to Andre since he’d made sure Finn and I got home safely the night of the festival. But Finn was due for another magic lesson in a couple days, so maybe I’d walk him over and see if Andre might be up for another attempt at dinner. One that didn’t end up hexed.
I ducked down, sorting through the cupboard where I kept my pots and pans, trying to find my favorite measuring cup. Over the years, I’d made my own markings on it, so it was perfect for my potion brewing, but I couldn’t find it. Straightening up, so I didn’t bash my head on the counter, I couldn’t help but frown. Where was the darned thing? It probably wasn’t magical bad luck that was hiding it from me, but I had no idea where it could have gotten to. I used it almost every day, and when the coven had come over, we’d used it then, too. I knew it had to be here somewhere.
Finn came into the kitchen and grabbed some juice from the fridge. He glanced at me where I stood in the middle of the kitchen, hands on my hips, trying to retrace my last steps after I’d washed it and put it away again.
I blew my hair out of my eyes with a gusty sigh. “Finn, have you seen my good measuring cup? I can’t find it anywhere.”
The kitchen was in a bit of a shambles, as I’d torn the place apart in my search. I’d been in such a daze over the past few days, I was half afraid that I’d stuck it in the washing machine or something.
“Hmm.” Finn took a sip of his drink, his forehead creased as he thought about it. Then he gave an exaggerated finger snap, like he’d just remembered something. “Oh, yeah. I have seen it. It’s out back, in the graveyard.”
Okay, that was weird. Even sleep deprived me couldn’t have been that out of it, could she? I hadn’t even been to the graveyard in a while, not that I remembered, anyway. And why were Finn’s lips twitching like he was trying desperately not to smile?
I gave him a look, but figured that, whatever he was up to, I might as well go and see for myself, because I knew I wouldn’t be getting anything more out of him on the subject.
I still didn’t understand what my measuring cup would be doing out in the graveyard. Even if I’d wanted to catch some dew from the graves for my potions for warding off ghosts, I had bottles for that.
The back steps creaked a little underfoot as I jogged down them, and headed out across the grass and towards the old graves that made up most of my backyard, and covered the distance to Wanda’s old duplex. It was still technically hers, but she stayed with Lorcan so often that I wasn’t sure she’d even set foot in the place for months.
I rounded one of the old stone monuments, the angel’s face gone soft and blurry with age and wind, and stumbled to a stop. Finn’s laughter made a lot more sense all of a sudden.
Andre was waiting for me there, on the grass. He’d spread out a blanket across the ground, and there was a picnic basket half unpacked, with sandwiches and chicken, potato salad, pickles, and a bottle of some kind of sparkling juice that glinted brilliant red in the sun. And there was my measuring cup, sitting at the corner of the picnic blanket, next to some deviled eggs.
I took a few more steps forward, feeling almost shy, which was ridiculous for a few reasons. “You took my measuring cup,” I managed with a smile.
“Well, technicallyFinntook it, but I suppose because he did so for me, I’m guilty as charged.”
Andre grinned up at me, the skin at the corners of his eyes creasing slightly as he shaded his face with the blade of his hand.
“Well, you’re forgiven.”
He chuckled. “I Promise, I’m not holding your measuring cup for ransom. You don’t have to stay. It was just that our last date got cut a little short, and I thought we might try something of a do over. Finn was kind enough to assist me with the plan. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course, I don’t mind.” I sank down onto the blanket and folded my legs underneath me. The blanket was soft, but offered some protection from the grass and twigs poking up from the ground.
It really was a beautiful, if strange, setting. But I supposed that was Haven Hollow for you. The air was warm, but it was cool enough in the shade of the tombstones that I wasn’t worried about my skin burning. The feast looked beyond tempting, most items finger foods that could be picked up and nibbled on. Well, except for the chocolate cake that was sitting inconspicuously off to the side. A bottle of Italian lemonade sat in the basket, just beckoning to me.
Andre poured me a plastic wine glass full, and I smiled at the first sip, loving the tart sweetness.
“This is all so fancy; did you do all of it?” I smoothed my hand over the blanket, enjoying the soft brush of the cotton. I hadn’t realized Andre was a picnic sort of guy.
“Well.” Andre winked at me, and produced a third plastic glass from inside the basket. “I might have had a little help.”
Finn bounded up from between the headstones then, and dropped down onto the blanket next to me, grinning from ear to ear. “What do you think? Do you like it?”
I reached out an arm and tugged him a little closer, brushing a kiss over the side of his head. He must have been in a good mood, because he didn’t even grumble about me doing it in front of Andre.
“I do like it. I love it.” With my arm still around Finn’s shoulders, I smiled at Andre, where he was sitting across from us. “It’s perfect.”
He smiled, slow and sweet, and warmer than the sun resting on my back.
