Page 63 of The Promise Of You

This time, I need her help. Some sort of intervention.

I don’t think I’ll ever go there to shop for lingerie.

Although, looking at what’s artfully displayed on the exposed walls of her boutique, framed like the art pieces they are, I picture Clover in them.

And waiting for Cassandra, I thumb through the garments that are on hangers, wondering which one I’d prefer Clover in. There’s a deep red set that feels like silk. It’s not an undergarment, I don’t think—rather something she’d look great wearing in my apartment, strutting around. Or in her house, as long as I’m the one there to watch it.

I never thought I’d be that guy, but now I wish I were in the position to buy lingerie for her. I certainly screwed that up, big time. I adjust my jeans and scold myself as Cassandra approaches.

“Justin!” Cassandra embraces me. She’s in her forties, slim and fit, with long, blue-streaked hair. How she’s still single, I don’t know. “That’s quite the bold move, but I love it!”

What? “Hi, Cass.”

She takes a step back, holds me at arm’s length. “You’re looking for an apology gift?”

An…? Shit.

“Oh. I misread you. Sorry.”

Cassandra prides herself on being some sort of witch, and according to Haley and my mom, she is. “I’m here to discuss the dish. For the fair.”

She lifts an eyebrow. “Ooooh. Not sure how I can help with that. I thought this was about Chloe.”

Yeah. “She doesn’t want to meet in person.”

“Uh-huh? I wonder why.”

I rub the space between my eyes. “Could you—could you help with that? Like, tell her she can’t go back on her word or something.”

“Her word?”

“She emailed you that she was going to send Samuel to work with me.”

“Uh-huh.”

“She did, right?”

“What’s on your heart, Justin?” She gestures to a couple of light gray chairs that are way too dainty for me and perches on one.

I sit at the edge of the other, set my elbows on my knees, and let my head hang, my gaze on the wide, polished floor planks. “I messed up.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I just don’t know if I can fix this.”

Cassandra smooths her long silk dress absent-mindedly. “How bad did you mess up?”

“Real bad.”

“So what Haley said was true.”

I sigh. “She doesn’t even know the whole story.”

“Uh-huh. And you’re coming to me because…?”

“The whole village won’t know I’m asking for advice.”

“M-hmh.”

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