Page 146 of The Thought of You

As they get back to work, a few more familiar faces approach us to ask about our relationship. We haven’t even made it three feet from the door.

This is more like what I had in mind, but Owen and I haven’t gotten to get a drink or enjoy our first big party as a couple.

I’m asking for far too much, aren’t I?

When the music cuts, Cole moves the mic and greets the crowd. “Welcome to the Tipsy Tap’s Topsy Turvy—you know where you are.” He waves off the guests, who share a laugh. “Just wanted to remind you all that we have several specialty cocktails tonight for you all to try. Witches Brew, Candy Corn Cocktails, and more. Live a little, okay, Sapphire Creek?”

Everyone whoops and hollers, and one woman even tosses her pointed witch’s hat in the air like it’s the end of graduation.

“I have an idea,” I tell Owen. “Wait here.”

I race up to the stage before the music comes back on. Right as Cole steps down, I climb up, stopping him in the process to say, “I need the mic for just a second.”

“This isn’t karaoke night. I don’t have the machine set up.”

“I know that.” I scoff.

With the mic in place by my mouth, everyone’s attention turns to me. I find Owen in the back, but he moves forward, slowly meandering through the crowd while keeping his eyes on me.

“Hi, everyone.” I laugh nervously, wringing my hands in front of me as butterflies erupt in my stomach like they might if finally freed from a cage. “I’d just like to add to the drink specials for the night. The Candy Corn Cocktail looks amazing, in particular. Oh, and Owen Conrad is my boyfriend. We’re dating. Enjoy the party!”

Claps and cheers echo across the bar as I nearly stumble off the stage on wobbly legs.

On my way back to Owen, I lock eyes with Sable, who lifts her drink in a silent toast. I grin back with appreciation and continue moving through the crowd and their pats on the back until I leap into Owen’s arms. Another round of cheers serenades us as I plant a big kiss on his mouth.

“You are crazy!” he calls out to me over the noise.

“You made me this way!” I shoot back as he sets me onto my feet.

A mid-paced song starts, and he nods over my shoulder. “Come on.”

“Where are we going?” I ask as he pulls me toward the opening in the crowd.

He tugs me to his chest, lifts my hand in his, and sways to the beat. “I want to dance with the prettiest girl in the room.”

epilogue

OWEN

Three weeks later…

“What am I looking at here?”

A noodle hangs from my mouth as I peer over at Addie, who leans against my kitchen counter. I gather the noodle the rest of the way into my mouth to chew it and set the pot into the sink. “Don’t worry. I waited until the pasta cooled off before I dove in.”

“That’s exactly what I was worried about and not the fact that you’re slurping noodles right out of the pot.” She shakes her head as she sashays the rest of the way into the kitchen.

I turn to face her, drinking in the way her green dress dips into the valley of her breasts. Her cleavage is extra naughty these days. That, or I just fall harder every fucking day. Could be both.

The hem of her dress flows right above her knee, and the heeled booties she wears adds two inches to her height. She doesn’t need to stand on her tiptoes to kiss me with those on.

She’s been coming to my house frequently over the last two weeks, ever since the Halloween party, and she just… fits here.

This place is more complete with her in it than any of the furniture or dishes.

We filled out the paperwork as soon as we got to school on the Monday morning following the Halloween party. We signed it all and forged our love in ink, and “the earth still spins on its axis along the same path it’s been on for billions of years,” as Addie put it. She also followed it up with the fact that she could feel a little pep in the earth’s spinning, though.

She’s right about that.

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