Page 74 of The Sasquatch and the Hairdresser

“Hosting a bigger book festival or fair would also be wonderful,” Jayden suggests, clearly warming to the idea. “We can bring in outside authors, and we can have a whole part of it dedicated to children’s books and family-friendly reading-related events.” His voice radiates excitement. “The school’s library, along with the public library in town, would no doubt get on board.”

We continue spitballing ideas for a while, and Emrys takes notes the whole time for our meeting minutes. I’m pleased we’ll have a record of everything because Skylar’s ideas have really fired everyone up for future event planning in town. Throughout it all, I watch my boyfriend shine brightly as he shares his ideas, energy, and commitment to this town with our whole committee. By the end, everyone has voted in favor of Skylar officially joining our ranks, and he is elated.

As we’re heading out, Skylar planning to return to the salon for a few more hours, I pull him aside for a second.

“You impressed everyone in there, me included. I hope you know that. You also may have found a working solution for our town’s biggest problem—for a while, at least. That makes you a real hero in my book.”

He rakes a hand through his hair, looking adorably flustered. “I just shared some of my ideas, but I’m happy they liked them. And if a mage can really help with our magic problem, I’m all for it. I love this town and want to stay here just as much as you do.”

By the Light, he’s dangerous for my heart. Right now, I want to kiss him like there’s no tomorrow, but it isn’t the right moment. I’ve got to make this romantic, by golly! In other words, I need to enact Operation Ask-Him-on-a-Date before I lose my nerve.

It’s now or never, Hal.

I step back and give him a courtly bow. “Would you do me the honor of going on a date with me this evening?”

“Hell, yeah,” he blurts out, grinning, then clears his throat. “I mean, it would be my honor, my good sir.” He gives me a little bow in return, his grin still in place.

I take hold of his hand and place a feather-light kiss on the back of it. “Be home by six and leave everything to me this time.”

I can only hope no more portals open during our romantic rendezvous.

Or at least not until I finally manage to kiss Skylar for real.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Dear Journal (NOT a fucking diary!),

I went to my first Harvest Festival planning committee meeting and just fucking went for it, telling them all my ideas. Dr. P’s advice helped a lot. She keeps telling me to believe in myself and not let my insecurities hold me back. A bit hokey, I know. But fuck if she wasn’t right. I can already picture the smug look on her face when I tell her that, and it makes me want to laugh. She’ll probably be sure to remind me about this on a regular basis now.

Anyway, they loved my business promotion ideas, and we’re talking about putting a few of them into action. Even more importantly, my suggestion about hiring a mage went over like gangbusters. After the Community Gathering meeting, I kept thinking about what we could do until Astraea’s son finally shows up. No lie, he’s kinda on my shit list right now.

At first, when I had the idea about hiring a mage, I was worried they’d already considered it and it wouldn’t work. I’m no expert on mages, but I’ve seen a few of them at work in the city before. They know their magic, as far as I can tell, and my quick research at the library made me think they could do something for us too.

Some of them are super fucking cool too.

Turns out we need to find a mage with some specific abilities, so we’re just waiting. Baxter’s not hopeful, but he’s got a stick up his ass over a bad breakup with a mage from way back. Of all people, I get it, exes can suck, but one mage being an asshole doesn’t mean they all are. Anyway, I have confidence in Astraea’s mojo. Her ad in A.S.S.E.S. will work and we’ll make this the best Harvest Festival yet AND keep the town safe.

Look at how optimistic I’ve become. Can you even fucking believe it?

—Skylar Wright’s Personal Journal

Skylar

It’s dark when I get home from the salon, and I’m still riding high on the vibes from the committee meeting earlier. However, I draw to a slow halt when I reach the steps leading up to the porch. The railing now has LED fairy lights woven through it, and the arch of the doorway is decorated with strands of some kind of green stuff I think might be garland. I’m guessing this is some of Hal’s seasonal decorating for the B&B.

But that idea gets blown out of the water when the door opens and Hal’s standing there in an apron with a tuxedo design on it, holding a huge bouquet of flowers.

My heart stutters and my fingertips go all tingly.

Hal shyly thrusts the bouquet toward me. “I picked these for you from my garden. To me, you’re so beautiful inside and out and deserve beautiful things in your life every day.”

Forget about stuttering, now my heart’s squeezing so hard in my chest that it’s difficult to breathe.

With a shaky hand, I take the bouquet. “No one’s got me flowers before,” I say, my voice raspy.

“Do… you like them?” Hal asks, expression anxious.

“Yeah. I fucking love ’em.”