Chapter 8

8

CROW

B efore I met Emma, I sometimes dragged my sorry ass into work wondering if I would make any money that day. Wondering if my shop would last more than two more years. Hell, sometimes I almost wished for a fire call so that I could have something productive and important happen in my day.

Now I’m going to look forward to coming in and grin like an idiot every single time I walk past the back room, picturing Emma’s luscious naked body spread out like a buffet for me. My gorgeous girl is so stunning that I honestly think I’m already addicted to her.

We’ve been chatting and texting steadily, but this morning I notice that she sent a couple of late-night emails to the shop.

My coffee mug is tragically empty, but I read the messages before going across the street to fuel up. Emma explains that she didn’t want to text and wake me up in the middle of the night, but she realized that my shop should participate in the Family Fun Friday event this afternoon. Apparently, she’s heard people discussing it in the café, and the road is going to be closed between two and six. Almost the entire block is taking part. She attached a blank copy of the application, and another version where she had already filled it out for me.

I saw last year’s event, and it was cute and all, but very family focused. I don’t think anyone’s going to want me to tattoo their kids. But Emma has a point – it would be great publicity. She’s convinced that doing face painting and marker tattoos on the kids would be terrific.

Just as I’m staring into space weighing the idea, someone taps on the door, and I rush to unlock it. It’s a young guy in skater shorts. “Hey – can I get one of those sick skull shirts in the window?”

“Sure thing.” I set him up with the shirt and tuck in a couple of free stickers as he looks around.

“Hey,” I ask as I hand over the bag. “If I was doing marker tattoos this afternoon at the Friday Fun thing, would you and your friends be down to come and get some?”

He grins wickedly. “For sure. It would freak out my parents. Plus, we’d get some great photos.”

Photos that could be tagged with the store’s socials , I can almost hear Emma whispering encouragingly .

The second he leaves, I send the application to the town, with an apology for my late entry. They respond almost immediately saying that I’m in.

Mug in hand, I walk over proudly to Charming Café. Emma’s pretty face lights up as soon as she sees me, then she bites her lip. “I’m sorry about all of that late night rambling,” she says quickly. “I was just in brainstorming mode. I’m?—”

“Brilliant? Yes. You are.”

“Really?” She fills my mug, then glances around to make sure no one can hear us. “My brain might’ve been racing because of…you know. Yesterday.”

“Yeah, that was pretty amazing.” I blow her a kiss. “I’d love to stay and chat all about that, and future plans, but apparently I need to find face paint for children. I have non-toxic markers, but little kids would want something glittery, right?”

“Probably, yeah.”

Desire comes out from the back, nodding as she sets out another tray of muffins. “Hi, Crow.”

“Hey, Charming One.” We’ve known each other for years, and although Desire is a bit trippy, she’s always been a great shop neighbor.

I turn toward Emma. “Plus I’ll need signs, and tables and chairs out front, and some tablecloths. I don’t even know what else. But?—”

My phone beeps with the ringtone reserved for the VFFT. “Shit,” I mutter, glancing at the screen. “Gotta go.”

Emma nods. “Give me your keys. I’ll go lock up for you and get you organized for this afternoon.”

I toss them to her, take a big swig of coffee and start to dig for cash, but Desire snaps her fingers. “On me. Go be a superhero!”

Thank goodness I drove the truck today: it rained overnight, and the roads might be sloppy. Tearing out of the spot in front of the shop, I zoom down the street and out of Cedarville toward an address halfway between us and West Stoneburg.

Even as I’m prepping myself for the call, I feel a deep sense of relief. Not only am I finally doing some proper marketing for the shop, it feels like Emma is a fountain of creativity and good ideas.

Maybe with her at my side, the town will really accept me back into its good graces. And maybe if we partner up on more projects, she’ll see that we truly belong together.