Spells A Bayou Magic Novel - Kristen Proby Page 0,60
have to go to the bathroom, but it shows off my curves pretty nicely, if I do say so myself. Maybe I’ll find a date tonight,” she replies and crosses her fingers. “A girl can hope.”
She hurries off to get her popcorn. I have a table set up just inside the café door for tarot readings, and Gwyneth is manning the counter inside so parents can order coffees, along with some special potions. I offered to help her, but Gwyneth insisted that she could handle it.
She’s a fast learner, and a delight to have around. I hope she’ll want to stay for a long while, even if it’s just one day a week.
“How’s it going?” Lucien asks as he sidles up next to me and kisses my temple.
“You’re not wearing your costume.”
He sighs with exasperation. “Do you know how tight that thing is? It left nothing to the imagination. I’m not wearing it.”
“But you’re not dressed as anything.”
“I’m a scientist,” he reminds me. “So, I’m dressed as a scientist.”
“If we had a khaki jacket, you could mess up your hair a bit and look like Egon from Ghostbusters. A much sexier version, of course.”
“No thanks.”
“Killjoy.”
Lucien laughs and tugs me against him for a long, slow kiss that makes my toes curl, and the candles in the Jack-o-lanterns burn a little brighter.
“There are children about,” I remind him.
“And I don’t care.” He flashes a cocky smile. He leans in to whisper in my ear. “I can’t wait to get you home and have my way with you.”
“Just hold that thought for a few hours.”
“I’ll suffer,” he says with a deep sigh, then offers me a wink and starts ladling hot chocolate into little cups. “But I think I can survive a few more hours.”
“Can I steal her away?” Dahlia asks as she skips up to the table. Everyone is just so happy tonight. I absolutely love it. “I mean, I know I’m interrupting a romantic moment and all, but we haven’t been down to the Head Over Heels booth to check out the shoes yet. And Mama needs some new kicks.”
“Oh, yes, I want to look at shoes.” I look up at Lucien. “Can you handle this for a bit?”
“Sure, have fun.” Stay close by.
I’m just going down the street.
He winks, and Dahlia and I set off down the block.
“You outdid yourself this year,” Dahlia says. “The music, the fog. How did you do the fog, by the way?”
“Little fog machines, strategically placed,” I reply with a satisfied smile.
“Well, it’s fun. And maybe a little creepy, but not over-the-top, so it’s perfect for the kids.”
“That’s exactly what I was going for,” I say. “Also, you’re the cutest Wednesday Adams ever. I love the wig.”
She grins happily. “Thanks. I’ve always liked Wednesday. Oh, here we are. Hi, Charly.”
“Well, hello ladies.” Charly gives us a welcoming grin. “It’s been a minute since I’ve seen either of you.”
“I know, I need to come in more often. I need shoes like crazy, and I just miss you.”
Charly and I have owned our shops for about the same amount of time, and we became fast friends. Her brother is married to Mallory.
“Well, I have some fabulous new things on display, but nothing is for sale here. If you want something, you have to go down to the shop. I’m mostly here for exposure and to pass out candy. Oh, and to show off my costume, of course.”
Her dress is huge. And sparkly.
And she’s holding a wand.
“You’re Glinda the Good Witch.”
“That’s me, sugar,” she says with a wink. “I’m a hit with the little girls.”
“Oh, I’m sure you are.” I laugh and pick up a pair of black flats. “These would be great for work. Is it possible for you to call the shop and ask them to hold a size seven? I’ll pick them up tomorrow.”
“Sure thing,” Charly agrees.
“Look at these,” Dahlia says, holding up a pair of red stilettos. “The heel is so pointy. You could just drive it right into a man’s heart.”
I scrunch up my nose. “What in the world is wrong with you? That’s disgusting.”
“Oh, come on, it’s Halloween.”
“You need to lay off the horror movies, friend.”
“No way, it’s the perfect time of year for them.” She giggles. “And I wonder why I’m single.”
“Yeah, that’s not really a great pickup line. ‘Hey, handsome. Do you like my shoes? They’re pointy enough to drive into your heart.’”
We laugh and admire the rest of the shoes. I put one more pair, some black heels,