Page 38 of Enchanted to Meet You

“Well, it’s understandable,” Billy went on. “The Hopkinses are kind of big deals around here. But so are the Walkers. Did you pass any signs on your way here from the city for Walker Hardware?”

Derrick shook his head. “Not that I recall.”

“You must have. Walker Hardware is my family’s company. That’s why our kids are Walker-Hopkins. We tried Hopkins-Walker, but Rosie thought it sounded like some kind of zombie. A Hopkins-Walker, you know?” Billy chuckled to himself. “Hey, we just got their new school photos. Do you want to see them, Jess?”

“Absolutely.” I couldn’t meet Derrick’s gaze. I knew he wasright. I should have mentioned that Billy and Rosalie were married, like I should have mentioned that I’d seen Billy at the high school. But so many strange things had been going on, how was I supposed to know which ones actually mattered? “How are Elizabeth and Billy Junior doing?”

“Oh, they’re great.” Billy had whipped out his phone again. “Billy’s big game against East Harbor Middle School is coming up this weekend. We’re all going to cheer him on. And Lizzie’s loving being a freshman over at the high school. Did you know she’s going to be a Harvest Princess?”

“No, I didn’t. What exactly is a Harvest Princess?”

“Oh, it’s a little something that Rosie dreamed up to get local girls more interested in the Tricentennial. The ones who get picked will serve as promotional spokeswomen for the town during the celebration. You know, they’ll walk around the square, handing out pamphlets and stuff. Here, check out the kids.”

“Aw.” I looked down at the photos of mini Rosalie and Billy, posing for the camera in their school uniforms, and didn’t have to fake my smile. I was genuinely happy for Billy. He’d gotten what he’d wanted most in life. For that, I was grateful to Rosalie. She’d given Billy what I never could—or, more accurately, never wanted to—give him. “They look great, Bill.”

“Thanks. They’re amazing.”

Billy gazed at the photos a few seconds more—long enough for me to glance in Derrick’s direction, and see him narrow his eyes at me. I could tell exactly what he was thinking:Why didn’t you tell me?

But there was nothing I could do about it now, so I shrugged and looked away.

“Anyway, thanks for the offer,” I said, “but now is not the best time for me to go vehicle shopping.” The thought of wanderingaround Hopkins Motors and possibly seeing Rosalie again made me feel queasy. “I have to get back to my store.”

“I can drop you off there, Jess,” Billy said, eagerly. “That’s no problem.”

“That’s generous, Billy.” Derrick’s eyes were as bright and as shiny as twin diamonds. “But I’m going in that direction, anyway. I’ll take her.”

Billy looked concerned. “Hey, bro, no offense, but your car isn’t looking that great, either. I don’t know if I’d risk driving that thing. Your windshield is—”

“It will be fine,” Derrick said in a tone that caused Billy to quickly change the subject.

“You know, Jess,” he said, looking around the living room, “I really like what you’ve done with the place since your parents moved out.”

“Um. Thanks.”

What was happening? I’d told a seemingly down-and-out Derrick he could stay with me—merely because he’d been living in his rental car and there was a supernatural menace threatening my town which he’d sworn he could help us fight—and now he was appointing himself my chauffeur?

And what about that kiss?

Because it was one thing to be pretend-dating a handsome stranger you were mildly attracted to.

But it was quite another to be pretend-dating someone whose kiss made you feel as if you were being caressed all over by gentle waves of rain-scented lightning, and whose lips you now wanted to feel over the rest of your body.

Was this part of the curse—or whatever it was—on West Harbor? Would it go away as soon as the Bringer of Light and I broke it? Would Derrick?

Probably. Which was fine, because the last thing I needed right now was a romantic relationship.

“Well, we’d better go, then, Derrick, since I’m running late as it is,” I said, and lifted the tote I’d brought with me to the school and started toward the mudroom, where I intended to swap it out for something that did not contain crumbs from the now dented brownie container. “It was great seeing you, Billy.”

“Oh.” Billy looked crestfallen. “I’ll walk out with you.”

I managed a smile. “Great. Let me just go get my other bag.”

Unfortunately, I’d hardly been in the mudroom for a minute before I found myself with company.

“Why didn’t you tell me Rosalie Hopkins married your ex-lover?” Derrick kept his voice low enough that Billy, out in the living room, wouldn’t be able to overhear him.

“Why didn’t you tell me that you were going to tell Billy that we’re dating?” I whispered back. “And he’s not my ex-lover.”