Page 2 of Halloween With the Siren
My eyes round and now I’m the one furiously shaking my head. “I can’t ask her if orgasms have an effect on siren songs.”
Maisie frowns at me like she doesn’t understand what the problem is. “Why not? She’s a medical professional and has all sorts of knowledge about these things. And remember, if Ren was brave enough to talk to her about sexual stuff back then before he, before we… You know… What I mean is, if my Ren can do it, then I know you can be brave too.”
Maisie isn’t shy about many things, but she’s extremely protective of Ren, so her taking the time to filter her words just speaks of all the love she has for him. It’s not like the whole island isn’t aware that she took his virginity and that they’ve been inseparable since they admitted their feelings for each other.
My shoulders finally start to relax. I guess I see a little sense in what she’s saying. “When you put it like that… Oh, you have treats! What did you make?”
Tapping the countertop between us, Maisie’s excitement is almost palpable. “Remember at Ladies’ Night when we were spitballing ideas for Halloween? One of them stuck and I thought I’d do a test round and see if you liked them.”
My mouth can’t help but break into a matching grin. “If you make it, we’ll like it,” I answer honestly. Some of Maisie’s recipes might seem a tad adventurous for some, but, to date, I’ve not tasted anything I haven’t liked.
“Hi! Anyone home?” Tilly calls, pushing against the hefty door with her shoulder. She almost stumbles as the door swings open, but quickly catches herself before walking forward, righting her scrubs and pretending nothing has happened.
I wave Starry Hill’s nurse practitioner over, following her lead and acting as if we didn’t witness the near fall. “Tilly! Perfect timing. Maisie was just about to unveil her latest creation.”
Maisie holds up a finger, gaze jumping between me and Tilly. “Keep in mind, this is just a sample. I’m open to your suggestions about the design and flavor.” Even though she tries to hide her enthusiasm, Maisie’s body is practically effervescent—eyes shining bright and body almost wiggling on her stool as she waits for our reactions.
Uncovering the bakes in the container, Maisie reveals three mini cakes shaped like pumpkins, the cream cheese frosting on top shaped to look like a ghost melting into the cake. It’s cute and a little creepy and absolutely perfect for Halloween.
“They look incredible,” I gush, swallowing back some drool as I marvel at the cakes. The distinct aroma of cinnamon on this wonderfully gloomy day makes me want to burrow into a pile of pillows and soft blankets with a comfort book.
Oh fuck. Is this triggering my nesting instincts?
Come on, body. Now is not the time. It’s way too early to dream of soft fabrics and plush pillows and…
I’m about to get up and escape into the tiny kitchen in the back, planning to grab some plates for us as an excuse, but Tilly holds up one hand to stop me while her other hand lifts one of the cakes to her mouth.
Seeing no way to explain myself without making things awkward, I follow suit and bite into the mini pumpkin. I meet Tilly’s wide eyes and we hum in unison, nodding vigorously as we taste the rich flavors.
“This is amazing! What’s in it?” Tilly praises, studying the cake from all angles before going back for another bite.
Maisie preens, her shoulders shimmying with satisfaction. “I went big on spices to give it the right vibes for Halloween. There’s cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, and I also added some black pepper to give it a bit of a kick. The sweet cream cheese frosting is meant to balance it out. Is it too strong? Too weak? Thoughts?”
I place one hand in front of my mouth and explain around another blissful bite, “It’s perfection. I’d like one hundred of these, please.”
“Yay! I’m so happy you guys like them. That’s one of the treats taken care of then.” Maisie pauses and holds her index finger up. “Oh, before I forget, I stopped by The Flowering Teapot on my way here. Aunt Annamae told me that she’d be very happy to grow a bunch of pumpkins out front, and she says she wants to turn your climbing coral roses on the pub’s facade into black roses for the party. She also said she can extend the roses inside and across the walls and ceiling. Or if we want, she can do vines up the stone walls. We just have to let her know once we decide what our aesthetic is for the party.”
Placing a hand on my chest, I can almost feel the gratitude for the dryad, for the whole community, swelling within me. “That’s really generous of her. Thank you.”
Tilly smiles, her dark eyes sparking with renewed fervor. “All of Starry Hill is looking forward to the first real Halloween party on the island. Doc Calla and I have also talked about decorating The Bandaged Heart and maybe putting up some tombstones outside the practice and adding some fake blood to the front door. Maybe a skeleton in the waiting room? Do you think that’s too dark for some patients?”
Maisie sits up, her back ramrod straight as she taps her notebook. “If the whole town is interested in getting involved,then we can have a lot of fun with it. We can transform the main hill into Halloween Central. We’d decorate all the shops and have lanterns spanning across the main road leading up from First Street to Third. I could ask Aunt Annamae if she’d be up to growing a pumpkin patch at the base of the hill? Am I going too big now? If I am, please rein me in again.”
Tilly leans forward and lays a hand on Maisie’s. “No, no. These are all great ideas. But, I think a good point to start from is asking all of the shop owners if they want to be involved. Each of us can take a street and chat to them to see how they feel. Then we can meet back here again next week and swap ideas based on their responses.” Tilly frowns, then nods to herself before continuing, “Come to think of it, it might be good to have weekly meetings until the party.”
I swallow hard and tuck my hair behind my ear. “About that. I might have to skip one of the meetings. I’m not sure, but I’ll be taking a week off soon.”
Maisie’s head quirks to the side. “A week? Where you going?” Her whole demeanor shifts from curious to worried. “Are you okay?”
I’m quick to reassure her. “I’m totally okay. It’s just that my heat is due soon but it can be finicky about which day it shows up. That’s usually the only time I shut the pub, but you’re welcome to still come here and plan. I can leave the spare keys with you.”
Maisie relaxes back into her seat as she waves my offer away. “No, no. This place isn’t the same without you here. We can meet at my and Ren’s place, or at Tilly and Bodin’s, or even at The Flowering Teapot. No need to worry about us. But let’s pause for a moment and rewind.” Propping her elbows on the counter, Maisie leans forward with a mischievous glint in her green eyes. “A heat? That sounds fun! Isn’t that like a week of straight-up fucking? Can humans get it too?”
I shrug noncommittally. “It could be fun for some creatures, I guess.”
Tilly sucks in an audible breath, seemingly understanding what I’m not saying. “Marisol. Do you have someone to help you through your heat?”
Trying to play it cool and like it’s not the worst week of my life every six months, I giggle awkwardly. “I’ve got my trusty drawer of toys for moments when I’m lucid. But…”
