Page 134 of When the Woods Go Silent

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

ROSE

“This truly is amazing, Ruby,” I whisper in her ear as I pass, on my way to serve another tray of fancy book-themed mocktails.

And it is. Our grand opening night is a success beyond what I’d dreamed - Ruby came through on every promise. The bookstore has been packed all night, full of tourists and people who drove from nearby cities, drawn in by her genius social media posts.

Everyone is enjoying our theme of “bookish blind dates and mocktails,” and so many of the guests have dressed up in party clothes, like Ruby suggested.

Our tables full of gift-wrapped surprise books are nearly empty, with almost every person here buying a chance to find a hidden gem. We’ve sold lots of other books, too, and the hors d’oeuvres and sweets fromGoblin Marketwere an instant extra buzz. Ruby’s phone has been vibrating constantly with new updates to our social media, as readers tag us in their pictures and update their locations.

I have to admit, it feels like I always hoped it would, even though a big part of me doubted it would actually happen. Even more, it’s a refreshing reprieve from all the drama we’ve been dealing with lately.

This is why we came to Clearwater, I remind myself, scanning the room again and soaking it in, committing everything to memory. We’re here for the books and the besties.

We’re here to create our own kind of magical future, no matter what the guys we’ve met might want from us.

This is our life to live, not theirs.

Taking another slow round of the rooms, I top off drinks and empty the trash before taking my turn at the register. Normally, we’d be closed by now, and we haven’t set a true end time for the party, but as night dims the windows around us, the bulk of the crowd seems to be thinning.

The line of customers is dwindling at the register, too, and I finally sit, taking it all in. Ruby is smiling down at her phone, and I can’t wait to hear her litany of congratulations and comments from all her channels. Not for the first time, I thank her Goddess that she’s happy taking care of all of that, because I’d rather go jogging in the forest barefoot than be in charge of all that media.

“So, the food?” Ruby whispers, sidling up next to me.

“Ah-mazing. I actually doubted he would pull through, after all the mess with the restaurant,” I admit.

She nods. “Yeah, plus he was supposed to be out of town already. Out of world?” She shrugs and giggles, but my grin feels suddenly plastic. I don’t want to talk about Torrence, or any of the fae or gobbelins.

Several minutes pass without anyone coming to the register, and although it’s been amazing, I’m glad the night is winding down. I’m looking forward to leaving the cleanup for tomorrow and collapsing on the couch with Ruby to check out all the receipts, shares, and posts we accumulated tonight.

“So,” Ruby begins, and I hear the thread of anxiety in her voice. She’s going to say something I don’t want her to. “I might duck out for just a minute - quick, Rosie, I promise. Super quick, and we’ll shut all this down together. It’s just... Torrence hasn’tleft yet, apparently, and I really want to tell him thanks for all of this.”

I bite down hard on my lip as the bitter words flood my mouth. I don’t want to fight - not tonight. Not ever again, because of stupid boys.

“Now?” I manage, trying to keep my tone light, and failing.

“He’s about to leave for real this time, or I swear I would wait,” Ruby says, placing her hand over her heart and giving me those big innocent black eyes. I swallow what I’d really like to say. He should just come into the shop like a normal boyfriend would, instead of asking her to leave her own goddamn party. But nothing about him is normal, now is it?

“Ten minutes, Rosie. Pinkie promise.” She holds her hand up, crooking her littlest finger to hook with mine.

“Ugh,” I sigh, my finger doing the motion without my true consent. “Ten minutes. Go, suck him off in the woods as your thank you, and come the hell back toouropening night.”

Ruby gasps and pretends to be scandalized, but I catch the twinkle in her eye. I just gave her an idea, damn it.

“I love you forever,” she calls as she ducks into the hallway, heading for the back door so she won’t be seen sneaking out of her own event.

I try not to be angry, I really do.

But ten minutes go by, then fifteen, and she’s not back.

I whip out my phone and text her, glaring at the screen.

Time’s up. Finish him off and fix your lipstick.

Smirking to myself, I wait for the reply, but it doesn’t come. Cursing, I tap my toes and watch the screen, but no dots appear to indicate she’s typing.

“Great party,” a voice calls, and I whip my head up, realizing I’ve been ignoring a customer. I’m relieved to see someone I recognize, though - Abby, the barista from the coffee shop downthe road. I plaster on a smile I hope she can’t tell is fake, heading around the counter to mingle with the night’s final guests.

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