Page 71 of Perfectly Perplexing Zombie

I felt worse than plain beside him. It had been a couple of weeks since we’d seen each other, and I knew what I looked like. Parsnip didn’t so much as flinch. His lips didn’t purse in disgust, and his gaze didn’t waver.

“It’s good to see you too,” I sincerely replied. “How’s the show going?”

“Long,” Vander answered, leaning over Parsnip and waving at me from the passenger’s seat. “And dry. It’s hot during the day and freezing at night.”

Parsnip rolled his eyes. “At least it warms up there during the day. It’s cold here all the time.” Parsnip made a twirling motion over his temple with his finger and mouthed, “He’s crazy.”

“I heard that,” Vander accused.

Parsnip grinned.

“Ray said you’d be here.” Muriel leaned over me, much the same way Vander did Parsnip. “Glad to have more members of our little group.”

“We need a name,” Parsnip proclaimed.

“A name for our group?”

He firmly nodded. Vander started to say something, and Parsnip waved him off. “Don’t strain your brain. I’ll think of something.”

“I’m okay with naming things,” Vander protested.

“Oh, please. You named your shop Warlock Wishes. It’s so lame I almost didn’t walk through the door.”

I didn’t see the problem. I thought the name was cute. Although, cute probably wasn’t what a powerful warlock had in mind.

“Well, I’m glad you found a way to overcome your aversion.” Vander pulled Parsnip to him and peppered his cheek with kisses. Parsnip made a show of protest but ended up giggling and wiggling so much that he nearly fell out of his seat.

My inescapable grin made my cheeks hurt.

Their antics continued until Muriel shouted, “Ray’s here.”

I twisted in my seat. Something inside lit up at the mention of his name. As untrue as it probably was, I felt safer when Ray was around. He filled up all the insecure holes that had been relentlessly punched into my psyche by my aunt and uncle.

Shifting, Trinket scurried from my arm and plopped on top of my head. She wrapped her tail around my neck but kept the pressure light.

“Should we get out?” I asked Muriel. The sound of Parsnip and Vander’s doors slamming closed answered my question.

“Looks like,” Muriel offered before extricating herself.

I quickly followed and immediately walked to Ray.

“Good afternoon, Wendall,” Ray greeted me first.

His fingers drifted through my hair. I leaned into the touch but was mortified when he pulled his fingers free, and part of my hair followed. Strands of my blond hair were entangled within his fingers. Silence filled the air as everyone stared. No one said a word. There was nothing to say.

Shaking the hair free, Ray placed his hand on the small of my back and simply said, “I believe we are expected. Has Matilda arrived yet?”

Vander shook his head. “Not that I’ve seen, but Parsnip and I just got here.”

“We’ve been sitting for about ten minutes,” Muriel offered. “Unless she got here even earlier and her car’s closer to the cottage, then I don’t believe so.”

Ray glanced at his watch. “It is still early.”

“If Mattie said she’ll be here, then she will,” Vander confidently defended.

“I have little doubt,” Ray reassured. “Regardless, I do not see the point in standing in the driveway when we are expected. Come, Wendall.” Ray led me away from Muriel’s car and toward his. When I turned and glanced her way, Muriel shooed me on and simply walked to her car, got in, and started up the drive.

Well, I guess that’s that.

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