Page 167 of Flirty Fall Fling

“It’s already been the best. Not sure how it can get any better than this. Walk me to work?”

“Yep.” I put on some shoes and grab my coat.

We had our first dusting of snow the day we got back from New York. Blaire took it as a sign from the universe.

As soon as we step outside, I grab her hand because I no longer have any reason to hide. The paps are still following us around, but we keep proving the rumors wrong.

Blaire’s now booked until next summer. At this rate, she’ll be booked a year out before January. That ward she did must’ve worked. The same website that quoted Teddy in its smear article now uses him as a punch line. Unfortunately for him, when the internet picked a side, it wasn’t his. He was labeled as an obsessive ex without Blaire ever having to lift a finger.

We stop at the shop door, and I give her a sweet kiss for anyone to witness. I reach for the door, but she doesn’t step inside.

“I just decided something,” she says. “I’m taking the day off.”

Two feelings hit me at the same time. One is pure joy because the town witch is choosing me over the biggest day of her year. The second is pure fucking panic because every moving piece of tonight betted on her being at the shop until five.

“But it’s National Witches’ Day,” I say very reasonably, considering. “It’s your Super Bowl.”

“Ivy and Martha are here. Josie has been doing a great job at reading tarot.” She shrugs like she’s not rearranging my entire chessboard. “I have this tingly intuitive feeling in my body that I should spend the day with you. And I’m the boss, so I can do whatever I want.”

Through the shop window, Winter watches from the register. Her eyes move from Blaire to me and land on my face, and I give her the smallest shrug a man can give. She mouths something that’s either good luck or you’re dead.

“You’re right. What is it that you want to do today?” I ask.

Blaire loops her arms around my neck, bells jingling, and thinks about it for exactly two seconds.

“I want a fireplace. A huge cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows.” She kisses me once. “And you. Naked. That’s it. That’s my entire wish list.”

“I love it,” I say, nearly starting to laugh because she has no idea what I have planned. “I can work with this, but first, I think we need provisions.”

We walk to the grocery store since it’s a block away. Blaire drifts down the candy aisle as I load cocoa and marshmallows into the cart along with everything I plan to cook for her for dinner. I carry six bags in one hand and walk with my arm around her back to the manor. After we pack our bags for an overnight stay, we climb into the Mustang and drive to the cabin.

The drive up is full of snow flurries against the windshield. I blast the heat, keeping her hand in mine. On a few of the switchbacks, snow is sticking. Blaire smiles the entire drive, singing along with the radio.

“Home sweet home,” I say, parking in front of the small structure.

Blaire leans her head back on the seat and looks at me.

“What?” I ask.

“I’m happy. I have everything I’ve ever wanted.”

“Yeah, me too.” I nod. “Come on. Let’s get the fire started and the hot cocoa going,” I say as the snow sticks.

When we’re inside, I put all the groceries where they go as Blaire works on starting the fire. Since there isn’t central air or heat, it’s a necessity.

She looks out the window. “Should we have checked the radar?”

“What’s the worst that could happen? We get snowed in?”

“Maybe have to eat ramen for a week?”

“As long as you’re with me, sign me up.”

I pull a pot from inside the cabinet and make cocoa on the stove with milk, making sure not to overheat it. I put a mountain of marshmallows in the bottom of a big cup, then pour the mixture on top. They immediately float.

I deliver the cozy concoction to the couch, where the fire’s crackling. She takes a long sip and comes up with a marshmallow mustache, and I kiss it off her before she can wipe it.

“Fireplace, check,” she says, holding up one finger. “Cocoa, check.” A second finger. Then she takes another dip, then grabs my sweater. “You know what’s next on that list?”