Page 109 of Puppy Love

“Have you tried a spell?” they ask, their expression telling me they are dead serious. Like I said, everyone needs to believe in something. I shake my head.

“No, that’s not really—” I start. Hayden clears his throat, shooting me a look. “My thing. I don’t really know much about any of this actually. I just pulled her name for Secret Santa and—”

They shove a bright jagged orange stone into my palm.

“This is what worked for me.” They shrug, letting their hands fall to their hips. “But I did the spell.”

Hayden smiles down at me, then back up at Ruby.

“Tell us more about this sp—”

“What is it?” I cut in, shooting him an annoyed glance. He bites back a smile but lets me win.

“It’s Carnelian,” they answer, like it’s obvious. “It, like, creates sexual energy.”

Hayden bursts into laughter, and heat rushes to my cheeks in a horrified stare. I quickly drop the stone back onto the table, wiping my hands down my shirt like that will ensure I’m not contaminated by the energy inside of it.

“Uh, I don’t think that’s the one,” I say, sliding it further away. Ruby cocks a brow but doesn’t respond. “It isn’t what you think.”

They scoff.

“That’s what we all say.”

I furrow my brows, and Hayden tightens his face, trying to look normal.

“Right... Well, with this, it really, really isn’t like that. She just likes crystals, and I pulled her name for Secret Santa. That’s all.”

Ruby nods hesitantly, not really buying my very real story.

“Okay,” they say, gesturing to the table. “How about you just go ahead and take your pick.”

I walk around the table, looking at all the different colored stones. My eye is drawn to a blue one, and I pick it up, turning it over in my hand.

“That’s Amazonite,” they say. “It promotes mental clarity.”

I nod but set it back down. It just doesn’t feel quite right.

“What about this one?” they ask. “It’s Kunzite. It promotes peace.”

I look up, locking eyes with Hayden. He shakes his head.

“I don’t know,” I say. “I feel like she’s pretty peaceful.”

We continue circling around the table, analyzing all the different stones and crystals. There’s a set of tarot cards that catch my eye, but Violet never said anything about tarot. Besides, it’s well past the price limit.

“I’ve got it!” Hayden calls out after a few minutes. His eyes shoot up, his cheeks glowing with a beaming smile. Ruby and I both look up at him with anticipation. Hayden raises his hand, a small pink crystal in the shape of a heart pinned between his thumb and index finger. I immediately shake my head.

“You have got to be kidding me,” I scowl. Hayden continues smiling.

“It’s perfect, Cam. It’s all about love.” He wiggles his eyebrows, and I cross my arms irately.

“That’s why it’s not happening,” I say. “There is no love between me and Violet.”

Ruby glances over at me, like even they aren’t buying it. Like they know anything about my situation. Hayden frowns, but I don’t care.

“Not. Happening.”

He looks at Ruby, waving them over and whispering something into their ear. Ruby’s eyes flick up to me, and a light giggle slips through their lips. My jaw clenches tightly.

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