Page 106 of Waiting Forever
“You don’t have to do that. You already got us in for free,” she says.
“Yeah. Thanks again for that. This has been a great night.” In the past, I would have been buzzed, if not drunk, and hitting on girls. It would have been an entirely different experience. This is nice.
“I’m glad you came,” he says with a genuine smile, his skin and hair ghostly white in the dark. If I didn’t know this was his normal appearance, I would think he was in full costume, painted skin and all, just for Halloween. “Kensi talks about you a lot. It’s not all bad.” He winks at her.
She laughs and swats Azure’s arm.
We stop at what appears to be a fruit stand with a red-and-white checker pattern on the front. Caramel sweetens the air.
Kensi licks her lips.
A woman dressed up as a 1950s housewife, complete with a pearl necklace and cat-shaped glasses, greets Azure with a hug. Her apron has a picture of the war propaganda parody of the woman making a muscle with the caption,We Can Do it. “Sorry for the delay. It’s been crazy. Lydia and her husband didn’t expect the turnout to be so big. It’s only her second year doing it, but the word must be out it’s the place to be.”
She glances at Kensi and a huge smile appears on her face. “You must be Kensington.” She opens her arms and gives Kensi a big hug. “I’m so happy to finally meet you. Azure has wonderful things to say about you.”
Kensi gives Azure a teasing grin. “And I thought you were an honest person.”
His mom laughs. “She is funny,” she says to Azure, then returns her attention to Kensi. “Did he surprise you with his costume?” Excitement resonates from her.
“He sure did. I love it.”
“She was mad at first,” Azure adds. “Thought I didn’t dress up.”
She raises an impressed brow. “You must have really surprised her—Oh! Where are my manners. I’m Avery.” She wipes her hand on her apron and holds it out to Kensi. “I suppose it’s silly to shake after we’ve hugged.”
“It’s fine.” Kensi shakes her hand.
She offers it to me. “You must be Nathan.”
I blink. “Yeah.”
She must read the shock on my face. “Azure told me you were coming.”
Ah.I nod. “This is a great event.”
She beams and glances around. “It is, isn’t it? I love being involved in stuff like this. It’s good for the soul.” She waves for us to come closer to the stand. “Can I interest you in a caramel or candy apple? They’re fresh.”
“Yes, please.” Kensi gives an eager nod and points to a caramel apple rolled in peanuts. “I’d love that one.” She takes out money from the case on her phone.
“Don’t you dare.” Avery waves the cash away and hands Kensi the apple with a few napkins.
“Thank you,” Kensi replies.
“How about you two?” She eyes Azure and me.
“I’m good, thank you.” Caramel apples hurt my teeth. Too sticky.
“Maybe later.” Azure straightens the napkin box on the stand. “What did you need help with, Mom?”
“Oh! Yes. I need to run to the barn and get more supplies. We’re low on apples.”
“I could do that for you,” Azure says.
“I can help, too,” I offer.
“You’re sweet.” Avery smiles at me. “Thank you.” She directs us to the barn and the apples. Azure and I carry four bags to the stand.
“Lydia is taking a break,” Avery says to Azure. “Mind working the stand with me for a little?”
