32. Chapter 32

Chapter thirty-two

Silas

I keep away from Fenella when she's not working for me for my own safety/sanity. And because she told me to.

In her words, Fenella said, "I don't want you to see it until it's all ready."

It's three days before her party, and I have no idea what the first floor looks like. Nor am I going to tonight, because it's the annual pumpkin carving evening at The King's Hat.

Prince Kalle and Edie have been hosting this for years: any of the storekeepers in Battle Harbour are welcome to come to Kalle's pub a few days before Halloween and carve one of the pumpkins that Edie's father donates. And then everyone puts their jack-o'-lantern in front of their door to make the downtown more festive.

Fenella is closing with me today. "What needs to be done tonight?" I ask as she wipes the counter.

For an indulged billionaire influencer, or whatever she's called, Fenella has turned into a pretty good employee. Sure, there are times she's on her phone and a customer is standing patiently waiting for her, but she's polite and cheerful and always ready to laugh at herself if she doesn't know something.

The customers have fallen in love with her as quickly as she gains followers.

It's hard to believe she hasn't even been here for two weeks.

Twelve days, and another four to go. And after that…

"I don't have anything to do," Fenella says happily. "I'm buying the alcohol tomorrow, and my lights should be in tomorrow as well. Lots to do tomorrow night, but tonight is wide open."

"Do you want to carve a pumpkin with me?"

"Well, that's definitely a first," she teases.

It's so easy with Fenella. We're comfortable, like an old shirt that's been worn and worn until it's almost worn through. But that doesn't mean there isn't a spark.

Or, I think there is. I still haven't convinced myself that kissing Fenella would be a good idea.

I know it would be—parts of my body tell me that. But the rest of me is worried that kissing her would lead to other things, and then with her leaving in days—

I don't like thinking about it. So I don't.

I invite her to carve pumpkins instead.

"Edie's father brings in a truckload of pumpkins from his fields. Did you know he used to be the groundskeeper of the castle?"

"Edie is the daughter of a groundskeeper, and she's eventually going to be the queen of Laandia?" Fenella's arched eyebrows almost disappear into her hair. "That wouldn't happen in most royal families."

"Laandia's royal family isn't like most royal families," I point out.

"I was with you on the dance floor when the king and Duncan did duelling guitars, so I'll have to agree with you. Tell me more about why you're carving pumpkins."

"We get pumpkins, and a group of us get together and carve them, and set them out in front of the stores to decorate for Halloween. Kids around don't go trick or treating from house to house, they come into town and go to the stores, and then there's a party in the square for the older kids."

"That sounds fun."

"It is. It's one of my favourite holidays."

"Halloween always gets mixed in with my birthday, so I never really think of it as a holiday," she muses.

"Feel like going with me tonight?"

Instead of answering, Fenella steps forward to wrap her arms around my waist. She's hugged me several times, and each time, thanks to her footwear, she's a different height. Today she wears flats, so I'm able to rest my chin on the top of her head.

"I want to do as much with you as I can," she says into my chest. "While I still have time."

I tighten my arms around her and hold on for as long as I can.