Page 3 of Fall I Want
“It’s blank,” she says, handing it to me. “One per day. Your theme is love. You can do that.”
I look down at the Moleskine notebook that’s the size of my palm and stare at it like it might bite me.
“Kids write haikus. Unless you don’t think you can? Scared?” Julie reaches for it and I shove it into my apron pocket.
“You’re using reverse psychology,” I tell her. “Don’t forget who I grew up with.”
“Out of the Three Musketeers, you were always going to be the famous one. I’ll run the coffee shop when my parents retire, and Blaire will be selling love spells online and crafting cute jewelry in a cottage away from everyone. You’re the only one of us in the position to write a mega bestseller, get feature films, be on billboards, and travel around the world. You promised me a red-carpet affair.”
The fairy tale I used to share still makes me smile. “I had tons of ambitions, Jules, like getting married by thirty. We’re going onfour years beyond that. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that we don’t always get what we want in life, and that’s okay. I will fully support your coffee house dreams and Blaire’s obsession with witchy cottage core.”
“I’m grateful you didn’t marry that scumbag. And then have his children. Ew.” She shakes the thought away as I grab the sanitizer pail and fill it full. Years ago, I wished on every star for that to happen.
I wring out the fresh towel, then wipe down the counter.
“Right now, my love life is the punch line. I can’t even get a random hookup. I’ve visited Bookers several times over the summer, hoping some single tourist would take me back to the town inn and rail me. The only free drink I got was the water I ordered from the bartender.”
Bookers is a local pub that’s packed with tourists and regulars, regardless of what season or time of the day it is. It’s the place to hang out in Cozy Hollow.
She snickers. “I could always hook you up with my brother.”
“He’s very much not my type.” I glance up at the oversized clock on the wall, knowing Blaire will arrive within the next twenty minutes.
“Ah, right. Almost forgot. You go for total jerks who need their mouths taped shut in public settings.”
“I just require him to be attractive, a few years older, and not be local. Which seems to bewaytoo much to ask because, as it stands, I’m practically a virgin again.”
She laughs and checks the amount of milk, half-and-half, and whipped cream we have in the lower fridge under our station.
I can pinpoint the moment when my life changed.
“Honestly, I should’ve been more careful with that mirror. How will I survive five more years of bad luck?”
“Here we go again,” she says with a snicker. “I don’t want to hearthe story about how it shattered on the pavement and you cut your hand. You’re not cursed.”
“How else would you explain my situation? I’m thirty-three going on thirty-four and if a penis comes anywhere near my vag, it might actually bark and growl. Shit, it might bite. I swear there is a tiny No Trespassing sign hanging on mymons pubis.”
“Autie,” she says, laughing.
“You’d think I’d have a revolving door of men I’d never have to see again considering how many people visit this town. I should have a bazillion numbers in my phone. I even downloaded a dating app and didn’t match with a single person. Not one.”
“Because you have a certain type, and they usually aren’t on apps trying to get laid.”
“Next full moon, I’m stripping out of my clothes and saying Beetlejuice three times, hoping he’s desperate. Beetlejuice, Jules. He hangs out in a fucking graveyard and has gross as hell teeth. That’s where I am. I’m so sex deprived I’d let Beet—”
“Don’t say it. But also, I can’t with you,” she says, smiling. “A guy tried to pick you up last week when we had margaritas. You literally rejected him.”
“He tried too hard. It’s supposed to happen naturally and I should at least want it.”
“Your problem is you’re secretly searching for forever.”
I’m not afraid of falling in love. My biggest fear is being alone. I’ve learned that if I don’t give anyone a chance, then they can’t leave me.
She stocks cups and lids.
“Would still like to spice things up in my life,” I say, and my thoughts drift back to Mr. Dreamy.
“What conversation did I just walk into?” Blaire asks, looking between us as she walks behind the counter. Her bracelets jingle with each step forward. She gives a magical vibe with her blackhair, purple lipstick, and sharp-winged eyeliner. Her matching glittery eyeshadow sparkles when she turns her head. “What are we spicing up?”
