Page 43 of The House on Haven Way

“Ah, but when you do know, you know. And there is nothing else like it,” I say, cutting a slice of the heavenly-smelling pumpkin spice cake and plopping it on a plate.

“Fine, I’ll believe you. God knows I don’t know anything about that right now.” She moodily stabs the cake and looks at me with a pout. “And you’re going to go back to school to... Do what?”

“I’m slowly finding my love of architecture again, but not the architectural firm rat race. There’s a job opening up in the permissions and planning office in Pine Ridge, and I applied. I start training with the man who’s retiring in December, and they’re totally happy I’m taking a business course because they work closely with the Chamber of Commerce.”

“That couldn’t have been any neater if it came to you tied up with an effing bow!” Honey cries.

I think back to the first three weeks of moving into the house on Haven Way, meeting Johnny, hating him, falling for him, loving him, losing him... “Yeah,” I force a smile, “super neat.”

“How’s my sweetheart? Ready to go to the ball, princess?” Johnny calls from the front door.

“He, uh, has a key,” I explain to Honey, racing to him.

Honey follows, just in time to see Johnny bend me backward in a kiss that proves my spine is as good as new.

“Johnny. Honey,” I gasp when I can breathe again.

“Nice to meet you!” Johnny keeps his hands on me, which is great, because shaking hands with anyone else would be a dead giveaway—if that person could even see him.

“Hi,” Honey says in a breathless voice. I know she has boyfriend envy, and she should. “You sure all of his brothers are unavailable?” she hisses as we part.

“Extremely,” Johnny chuckles. “But this is a great town, Honey. You might find your Prince Charming at the ball.”

Honey doesn’t find a prince, but a troll. Hugo. I don’t think they’re a love match, but his innocent charm and enormous stature are keeping Amber’s cousin happy. Which is good, because now that I can move around in my spirit bottle, I want to see the world with my girl.

Right now, we’re bopping along to the music, twirling in a beautiful ballroom at the White Pines Estate. Monsters, humans, costumes, no costumes, we’re all together.

“I think Honey will be fine for a while,” I whisper in Amber’s ear. “I want to show you something. Blue Moon Lake. The Pine Walk.”

“Ooh?” Amber smiles up at me.

“The old kissing spot,” I whisper.

“Ooooh!” Amber’s tone changes, and so do her eyes, lids lowering, lashes sweeping those beautiful cheeks that make up the heart-shaped face I adore. “I’ve never been to a lovers’ lane.”

“I have lots of firsts in mind. I walk past Manny, and he nods, nice and subtle.

I give him a thumbs-up, and we saunter outside.

“We should take the car.” I steer Amber to the mass of vehicles in the parking area and find her little car.

“We can’t be too long,” Amber protests, but she trots along into the driver’s seat while I simply slide through the car door and land beside her.

“Go up towards the woods. We’re going to go to the lake first.”

“How romantic. But also—it’s Pine Ridge. And Halloween. Are we going to be safe?”

“Oh, yes. This is a BYOM special.”

“Bring my own what?”

“Monster,” I say, running a possessive hand over her leg.

“Someone’s feeling beastly?” Amber winks.

“Moonlight and beautiful women do that to me.”

Blue Moon Lake is large and silent. Tranquil. It might be a popular spot, but not tonight. The rest of the crowd is in the giant 1920s mansion at the lavish ball.