Page 27 of Spookily Yours

Looking over, I expected to find Damien watching our surroundings, but I found him hanging on my every word. “There’s a what?”

He brushed a piece of hair back behind my ear, and I suddenly wished I’d worn my hat, if only so I could hide my face behind the brim. I wasn’t used to this much scrutiny or attention from… anyone. Let alone from a handsome man.

“A dance. Old Mrs. Whittle lets the town use her barn, and The Enchanted Cauldron sets up a bar, and… What?”

Damien’s lips curled up into a smile. “Has anyone ever told you how your face lights up when you’re excited about something?”

“Oh.” Was my whole face on fire? It had to be.

Oh my god.I felt like I had bats fluttering around in my stomach. When was the last time a gorgeous stranger flirted with me?

Never. The answer was never.

“Anyway, I, uh… Do you want to go?”

He frowned. “To the dance?”

“Mhm. And the festival.”

“I don’t really…” Was it me, or did he look almost… embarrassed? “Do stuff like that.”

“Dance?” I asked.

Damien shook his head. “I, uh…” Oh, he wasdefinitelyembarrassed. It made me feel strangely at ease. Maybe because he felt as out of his element as I did with him. “I’m not very good at socializing. I’ve never been around that many humans before.”

“I can teach you.” I peeked over my shoulder at him, wanting to gauge his reaction. “If you want.” It surprised me how easily the offer slipped out of my mouth, but even more so how easily he agreed.

“Okay. Show me around your town, and then to this pumpkin festival. You just have to promise me something.”

“Anything.” There was no part of me that didn’t beam at his agreement. About getting to show someone else this place that I loved so much.

He leaned in close, his mouth inches away from my ear. “Don’t leave me alone.”

“I won’t.” I gave him a shy nod as the bakery came into view.

It suddenly occurred to me that I still had no idea what to tell my sister. Or anyone else.

What would people think when they saw the two of us together? It was a small town, and people talked. Gossip would spread, especially when I hadn’t been with anyone since college. And even then—I’d never brought a boyfriend home. Even when my parents were alive.

I cleared my throat. “So, what’s the story here?”

“What story?” Damien raised an eyebrow at me as I gestured between us.

“How we met. Why I’m wandering around town with a handsome stranger that no one’s ever seen before.”

His voice popped into my mind.You think I’m handsome?

“Stop doing that.”

Damien shrugged. “I wasn’t aware we needed a cover story. We can’t just be two people strolling down Main Street, looking at the decor?”

“My sister will ask questions.”Everyonewould ask questions. Questions I didn’t have answers to yet.

“Mmm.”

“Damien.” I rubbed my temples. “This is serious.”

“You worry too much, little witch.”

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