Page 53 of Outlawed

“Okay, have fun.” I grin as he bounds away, completely rejuvenated.

I add a few of the spare bottles from under the table to the top, filling in the now-empty spaces where people have purchased things, and smile at the young woman heading my way. The closer she gets, the younger I realize she is. I don’t recognize her, but then I don’t tend to hang around high school students, so there is that.

“Hey, can I help you with something?”

“I was wondering if you have a love potion?” she asks quietly.

I feel my shoulders drop, but I keep my smile in place. I think back to Sarah, and when I thought she wanted a love potion, only to find out she wanted a repellent. My lips twitch. Turns out all she needed to repel that slime ball was a six-foot-four bearded beast of a man in her corner. I could sit and watch him watching her for hours, in a totally non-creepy way, of course.

“I don’t make love potions, I’m afraid.”

She nods sadly, like she expected me to say that.

“Tell me about who you want it for.”

She bites her nail and looks around before leaning closer. “He’s my best friend. We’ve been friends since we were in diapers.”

“And how old are you now?”

“Eighteen today.”

“Well, happy eighteenth birthday.”

“Thanks.” She tucks her hair behind her ear and smiles shyly.

I spot someone watching her from the next stall over. “So this guy, what’s he like?”

Her whole face lights up when she starts speaking. “He’s funny, and kind, and really fricking hot, like way out of my league, hot. Every girl in school wants him. And I’m just me, the best friend. I don’t think he’ll ever see me as anything more than that.”

The guy eases closer. I keep my eye on him while I keep talking. “Have you asked him? I know it’s hard, but sometimes you have to put yourself out there first.”

“And what if he’s not interested? What if I ruin our friendship altogether?”

“If he stops being your friend because you love him, then, honey, he was never your friend. He doesn’t have to reciprocate your feelings, but if he’s a good guy like you say he is, he won’t be a dick about it.”

“I’m scared,” she admits. The guy is right behind her now.

“This guy you’re in love with. What does he look like?”

The guy’s head whips around at my words, but the girl is oblivious.

“He’s about my height, lean but strong from helping his dad on the ranch. He has a cute dimple in his chin, and his eyes always sparkle like he knows a joke nobody else does.”

“Messy blond hair, little dusting of freckles, has a whole cowboy-come-skater-boy vibe?”

“Yeah. How did you know that?”

“Lucky guess. Here, drink this. It’s on the house.” I hand her a little pink bottle, and without hesitation, she pops the cork and drinks it all down. I shake my head. Kids these days. Did Alice in Wonderland teach them nothing?

“What is it?”

“Next time, ask that first. You can never be too safe,” I tell her sternly.

“No, I know. I do, it’s just—it’s you, and everyone knows how protective you are of the women in this town. I knew you wouldn’t hurt me.”

I feel my face flush at the compliment before I focus on the kid behind her. “As I said, I don’t do love potions. But even if I did, you wouldn’t need one. All you need is a shot of confidence. What’s this boy’s name?”

“Brett.”