Page 14 of Hallows End

“Great.” Giles clears his throat. He may be a rock nerd, but he’s kind of a sexy one, with messy, dark blond hair and a square jaw. I know she likely doesn’t mean for me to, but I notice that Breena swallows hard when Giles replaces his loupe with his black-rimmed glasses.

I browse through the moss agate and choose a few tumbles for myself. It’s my favorite. I also choose some black tourmaline and tiger’s eye.

My intuition tells me that I need a little extra protection.

The othersoohandahhover the amethyst geodes and Giles’s stock of super seven. I set my finds on the counter and walk to the window to stare out at Essex Street.

Tourist season is in full swing, with plenty of people milling about. As we get closer to Samhain, the town will swell to bursting, and I won’t have time to leave the shop because I’ll be packed with customers.

I know that my business thrives because of visitors to our city, but I savor these quiet moments when those of us who call Salem home can fully enjoy it.

By the time we’re all done shopping and have left a hefty amount of money in Giles’s pocket, it’s almost time for dinner.

“Pizza?” Breena suggests.

Before I can agree, I get goose bumps up and down my body, and the same awareness that moved through me earlier today when Jonas walked into my shop settles over me.

“I don’t think I can join you,” I say slowly. “I’d better head home to Nera.”

“And maybe Jonas?” Lorelei asks and smiles knowingly. “Go get ‘em, honey. Breena and I will just have to eat all the pizza ourselves.”

“I’ll see you guys later,” I reply and set off for home. It’s not far, and I don’t mind the walk.

The trees lining the streets are starting to turn color. In just a week or so, it will likely look like everything’s on fire with the riot of yellow, orange, and red leaves. This is my favorite time of year.

When I reach the house, I see that my one employee, Delia, has already closed up for the day. She comes in three times a week to take over in the afternoons for me.

I adore her.

Nera rushes over to greet me, and after I rub him down and kiss his head, I reach for my basket to gather flowers in the garden.

Maybe the feeling I had earlier was wrong.

But when I step outside, I see that it wasn’t. Jonas is standing at the garden gate, his hands in his pockets, waiting.

When I step outside, his eyes light up, and his lips tip into a half smile.

“You don’t have to wait out there,” I inform as I walk toward him, feeling that same pull to him that I did earlier.

“I do, at least until you invite me in,” he says.

“Are you a vampire?” I pause in opening the gate, waiting for his reply.

“No. Do you believe in such things?”

“Of course.”

“Well, I’ve never met a vampire, outside of a psychic one, and I’m certainly not one myself. I just believe in manners is all.”

I smile at that and then open the gate to invite Jonas in.

“I was about to make dinner,” I say, taken aback once again by the pull I feel to him. “You’re welcome to join me.”

“Thank you. I’d like that.”

He pets Nera and follows me into the house.

“Have a seat,” I offer, pointing to the barstool at the island. “You can chat with me while I cook.”