Page 12 of How to Love a Rockstar

“He’s adorable. Can I hold him?” Cayenne doesn’t wait for an answer before reaching for my pet. I retreat a step.

“He’s afraid of strangers.”

“We’re not strangers,” Cayenne claims. “We’re friends you’ve never met before.”

Sage snorts. “No repeating bumper stickers.”

Cayenne gasps. “Bumper stickers? I do not have a gas guzzling, environment ruining car and you know it.”

Based on the Eostare festival, I thought Winter Falls was famous for hosting pagan festivals throughout the year. It’s not. Nope. The town’s claim to fame is being the first carbon neutral town in the world. Anything the town deems harmful to the environment is banned – food delivery, plastic bags, cut flowers, and cars with internal combustion engines to name a few.

I’m not bothered by the ban on cars, since I don’t have one. And why would I need one now? I can walk to the library in less than ten minutes. It’s ideal. Or, it will be, as soon as Gratitude actually retires and I can start to implement some changes.

“I’ve certainly never owned a gas guzzler before,” Clove claims, causing an argument to break out amongst them.

This is the perfect opportunity to retreat. “It was lovely meeting you ladies,” I say as I begin to close the door.

The arguing immediately stops and Sage wedges her foot in the door to stop me. “We’re not finished, young lady.”

“You need to fill me in since I have no idea what we’re doing.”

“I told you we shouldn’t be mysterious,” Petal says.

Sage snorts. “Because you want to give candles to the participants in the project.”

“Candles?” I ask. “Candles are nice.”

Petal grins. “You’re going to love my candles. I make them myself with all-natural ingredients.”

“All of her candles are sex candles,” Feather adds.

“Sex candles?” I must have misheard. This woman who’s old enough to be my grandmother does not make sex candles. No way.

“Yes.” Petal nods. “I have sex candles for all your bedroom needs. Wax play, massage, whatever you need.”

I inch backwards. “I don’t have a boyfriend. I don’t need any sex candles.”

She smiles. “Thus, the project.”

Project? Matchmakers? Are they saying what I think they’re saying? Oh no. I don’t think so.

“No. I don’t need a matchmaker to find a boyfriend.”

“She’s adorable,” Sage says. “She thinks she has a choice in the matter.”

“Excuse me. I do have a choice in the matter.” I am done with people telling me what I can and cannot do.

Sage pats my arm. “I don’t mean you have no choices. I mean destiny has already decided.”

“Destiny?” I’m rethinking notifying the police. Will they flee before they arrive? Should I invite them in and keep them here until the police come?

Cayenne points to my face. “She has the ‘they’re crazy, maybe I should phone the police’- look on her face.”

“I thought after she met Rain, she’d be more open to the idea of destiny.” Clove shrugs. “Some people struggle against their fate.”

“Speaking of fate,” Sage begins, “will you stock more BDSM books once you’re the librarian?”

“Um…” I feel my face warm. Discussing my non-existent sex life was bad enough but now we’re discussing BDSM? Eek!

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