Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22788 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22788 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
He pulled up the photos of the ink, along with the ones that were taken with his client. His client had insisted on introducing him to a couple of people. The man was a businessman and took his alcohol very seriously, and he had a lot of people who looked up to him.
He told Mae about every event, and that he had to check over the man’s ink, because he didn’t quite listen to the aftercare.
“That looked like a lot of fun,” Mae said.
“Yeah, it was.”
“Did you and Pete always want to settle here?” she asked.
“At Halloween Point?” Caleb asked.
She nodded.
“Pete did. I kept thinking about what we could achieve further afield, but with my dad sick and Pete not wanting to move, they both painted what we had, and I loved it. The truth is, growing up, I hated this fucking town.”
Mae laughed. “You did?”
“Yeah, I thought it was so lame. Honestly, I was sick and tired of seeing carved-out pumpkins and stuff. The people who were not locals constantly showing up, causing trouble. I hated it. It would drive me up the wall. I bet you loved it, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, I did. Come on, it is so fun to live here.”
“Granted, I’ve grown to love the place. Honestly, I have, and business is booming, and it hasn’t hindered our growth. We’ve got clients all across the world who are willing to visit. This past week is rare, just so you know.”
“What do you mean?”
“Being paid to go to a client. It’s only because he is loyal, and more often than not, he loves to come here. He happens to love Halloween. Clients were seeing the catch. They would come down, get some ink, bring their families, make a week of it. October is one of our busiest times, and that is not with the random drop-ins,” he said. “I didn’t leave because we’d left a few things unsaid, Mae.”
“I’m sorry,” Mae said. “I couldn’t believe the order when it arrived. Usually, they send me a couple of boxes at a time, and I’m able to get them into the back without a problem. This driver had not only delivered my own boxes, but had also delivered other shops’ boxes as well. He’d messed up, and when I called the supplier, they were not going to have anyone until the next day to come and deliver. They asked if I could keep them safe and secure until they stopped by. They did apologize, and I was not going to be difficult. The driver had even told me it was his first day, and that he was getting lost.” She shrugged. “I didn’t want to call you, but I had to get the boxes into my shop.”
“And you didn’t think to come and ask me?” he asked. “I could have helped.”
She winced. “You know, I didn’t think to ask. I’m so used to having to do everything at the shop. I’m sorry.”
He reached out and cupped her chin. “From now on, you ask me for help. You got it? You’re not alone, Mae, and I don’t want you to start thinking you are.”
“You’re right.”
She leaned in close and he took possession of her lips. Then, Mae groaned.
“What?” he asked.
“We can’t ... you know ... have sex.”
He laughed. “Baby, I love the way your dirty mind is going, but trust me, sex is the last thing on my mind right now after the night we’ve had, but for now, can I just hold you?” he asked.
“Absolutely.”
Chapter Nine
“You want to do what?” Pete asked.
Caleb looked from Emily to Pete, and back again.
It was Monday morning. He’d already dropped Mae off at her shop, after spending Sunday night, into the early hours of this morning, making up for the past week. He’d made love, fucked, and worshipped every single inch of her body, and it had only cemented in his mind exactly what he wanted to do.
“I want to propose to her in front of the whole town on Halloween night,” Caleb said.
Emily’s eyes went wide and Pete’s mouth formed a perfect O.
“What?”
“It’s just ... why the sudden change of heart?” Emily asked.
“This is not a change of heart. I want to marry Mae. What she wants, I want. I want the family and the house and the matching Christmas sweaters. I want to wake up in the morning with her by my side, and I don’t want to go to sleep without her,” he said.
“Why Halloween?” Pete asked.
The whole town is going to be there, and so are tourists. It’s my way of telling Mae I love her, and also showing her that there is no one else I want. There is only her.”
Emily’s mouth dropped open. “You love her?”
“I’m crazy about her. I have been for a long time. Hasn’t he told you?” he asked, pointing at his best friend.