Page 26 of The Main Event

Next up on our tour was Essex Street. That was our busiest hub, and I needed him to understand it, not just wrinkle his nose and walk away.

“So, this is Essex Street,” I started.

He cast me a sidelong look. “Are you seriously giving me a tour of the entire town?”

“Not today. I’m pretty sure the House of the Seven Gables is closed today anyway, and no tour is complete without going there.”

“If you say so.”

“This is where people congregate the most,” I explained. “We’re in a prime location to take advantage of that. I know it looks like a normal street now, but in two weeks, it will be full of people and shopping kiosks.”

“Shopping kiosks?” He looked around. “Like a carnival?”

“More like a high-end flea market. The kiosks sell things like witch hats … and wands … and tarot cards. People freaking love it when they’re out. Actually, I love it when they’re out. I’ve gotten some cool jewelry through the years.”

Jax pursed his lips but didn’t say anything. I decided to keep going. “The pub is good for beer. The Crow Haven Corner is one of the most famous stores on the strip. Tours are run out of this location, and you’ll see people lining up on this side of the street for the tours in a few weeks.”

“Have you ever been on any of the tours?”

“I’m friends with a lot of the guides.”

“That wasn’t an answer.”

“I’ve been on a few of the tours,” I replied. “The history ones are cool, but once you know the history of the town, you don’t need it repeated back at you a million times. My favorite are the ghost tours. They’re fun and spooky, which is what this town thrives on for Halloween. It’s the spooky drawing people in, not Samantha Stevens.”

“Sabrina,” he corrected.

“Don’t make me hurt you.” I was at the end of my rope. Despite my lack of patience, I sucked in a breath and kept walking. “Come on.”

“Where to next?”

“Just down the street.” I led him past a few landmarks. I pointed out the East India Square, which was always a big draw. He, of course, was more interested in the huge sign for Wix Pix that was impossible to ignore on the northeast side of the square.

“Are those glamour shots for witches?” he asked, clearly dumbfounded.

“Pretty much,” I confirmed. “They’re a big draw.”

“Why?”

“Because some people don’t have sticks up their butts and like to have fun.”

He shot me a dirty look. “I don’t have a stick up my butt. I’m just trying to figure out a way to save my grandfather’s legacy.”

That had me softening my stance, if only marginally. “Come on.” I tugged him to force him to keep following. He had commentary for everything, including the stores and restaurants. It wasn’t until we reached Lappin Park that I finally slowed down.

“This isn’t much of a park,” he mused, looking around. “Shouldn’t they have decorations or something to make it, I don’t know, brighter?”

“We’re not at peak season yet,” I reminded him. “The lights will come. The costumes will come. The scent of freaking warm doughnuts will take over the entire town. I promise you.”

“Then what do you want me to see here?” Jax asked.

I pointed him toward the hugeBewitchedstatue that was directly in front of us, yet he had somehow missed it.

“What’s that?” he asked dumbly.

“Samantha Stevens.”

“You mean Sabrina.”

---