Page 100 of We Are All Sinners

“I will love you forever my little witch. Till we are ghosts.” he replies, smirking.

We finish our coffee and throw away our trash.

Brix takes my hand, spinning me as we walk out to the sidewalk, in front of the brass band playing. He pulls a twenty out of his pocket, dropping it in their open guitar case, making me smile.

“The market should have some vendors open by now. I’m hoping Jonah is there already. I’m going to need more bergamot. He always has a good supply of everything. I hate to admit it, but his jasmine oil is better than mine.” I explain as we enter the food court area of the pavilion.

“Should I be jealous?” he asks, and I can tell by the smile on his face that he is joking but I decide to play along and see if I can get a rise out of him.

“He is quite the distinguished gentleman.” I tease.

“Who is about to be in a wheelchair if you don’t quit playing.” He retorts and I can’t help but laugh.

“Too late, there’s my favorite oil man!” I holler as I get closer to Jonah’s booth.

“Hey there sha. Ya better get your little ass over here and give ya pops a hug.” Jonah, who is in fact in a wheelchair, sports his nineteen sixties tweed fedora hat, and perfect suspenders with his suit pants, replies.

I’m sure back in the day he was one hell of a looker.

I let go of Brixon’s hand and hurry behind the counter sitting on the old man’s lap to give him a hug, “How’s my favorite oil dealer today pops?”

“Still kicken, so I guess alright. How is my favorite plant girly?” His smile is infectious, and I can tell Brixon is actually enjoying himself watching the interaction.

“Well pop, my soon to be husband here forgot to get his groomsman gifts, so I need some bergamot to finish up some soaps and aftershave. Can you help your favorite plant girly out?” I ask sweetly batting my lashes.

“Of course, I gotcha. Have I ever let ya down sha?”

“Not once! You are the best!” I hug Jonah one more time before I get up off his lap and go back around his little table, admiring his oils.

“Brixon Blaze, forgetful soon to be husband.” Brix leans over the table extending his hand to Jonah.

“Jonah Monroe. Ya better take good care of my little witchy girly, ya here. She is a keeper.” Jonah shakes his hand.

“I’ll always take care of her sir.” Brix smiles bright at the old man and shakes his hand again.

I see them both nod in a gentleman’s understanding of some sort, making me feel like a cherished treasure of some kind.

“Let me get what cha need baby girl. I have somethin new for ya. I’ll add it to da bag. I think ya gonna like it girly. Use it for ya wedding day. Ya Brix here won’t be able to keep his hands off a ya.” Jonah laughs, handing me a green bag.

“Thank you pop.” I laugh.

I hand him a fifty and tell him to keep the change. We say our goodbyes, and head back towards the car.

“This should be a new thing when we get back from our honeymoon.” Brix says as we walk hand in hand by my favorite shops, stopping in to pick up some pralines from Aunt Sally’s Pralines. I get an extra dozen for tomorrow night with the girls.

“That would be nice. We can take a day to stock up everything for the shop and have fun mornings watching the city come to life.” I reply, taking a bite and humming in happiness as the sugar melts on my tongue.

We make it back to the shop and spend the next few hours dancing while I teach Brix how to make shaving cream.

Luckily, I had several green and gold boxes left.

I watch Brix finish taking the last of the boxes out the back door to the SUV while I clean up the last bit of oil off my long metal table.

“Ready? Liam just sent me a text asking if we want to have an early dinner with all of them at their place.” Brix asks, coming back in.

“It’s only three-thirty, but we did skip lunch, so yeah I could eat.” I reply, feeling my stomach growl at the thought of food.

“It’ll be ready by four-thirty. We have to stop and pick up wine though. Lily forgot.”

---