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I'm surprised to find that Ivy has also refreshed the store’s offerings, which range from home decor to themed dish sets to colorful tarot decks.
My gut reaction is outrage at the modifications, but I suppress my anger.
It's her store.
I breathe deeply.
As the door closes behind me, the bell tinkles. Ivy is behind the counter, a wide smile on her face as she swats at her mate. Conall’s hands are currently on Ivy's waist, holding her close as he nips at her chin.
He pulls back at the sound of the door, and Ivy's smile dies when she sees that I'm the one darkening her doorway.
"I'm sorry, Randy, we're all out of gold dust today," she says, anticipating my usual reason for shopping in her store.
I clear my throat. "Actually, I'm here to talk about this." I hold up the flyer advertising the movie night.
Conall rolls his eyes, and Ivy stiffens as though bracing for a fight.
"Laz said it was fine. If you're here to argue, he said you can talk to him," Ivy says stiffly.
"Oh no, I'm not here to argue about it," I assure them.
Conall's eyebrows raise halfway up his forehead, but Ivy's narrow at me.
"Why are you holding the flyer in my shop then?" she asks.
I shift from one foot to the other. "This will run off electricity, right?"
Before the adjustments in the protection wards, electricity only worked in short bursts. Now that they've been stabilized and altered, it works more reliably and for longer stretches.
"Yes," she snips, clearly unsure if I'm spoiling for a fight.
"I need electricity, but I'm not sure how to set it up. Can you help me?" I reluctantly ask, the words scraping their way out.
I don’t ask for help. Despite Will’s assurances, a deeply ingrained instinct expects her to turn around, imprison me, and steal my gold like the old stories warned.
Instead, she cocks her head in surprise. "You need help with something that requires electricity?" she asks.
I explain my crude, half-formed plan, hoping it's feasible. My idea for the pumpkin.
By the time I'm finished, Ivy's hands are on her hips, her gaze full of amusement and mischief, which I don't appreciate.
"Well…will it work?" I wonder anxiously.
"Oh yes, I can set that up easily," she assures me, and I sag with relief.
"Good luck." She turns back to the inventory on her counter. Conall smirks and wanders farther into the store to tidy up.
"Wait! What? Good luck? But I don't know anything about electricity or wires. I need your help!"
Her sharp eyes pierce mine, and I realize how much harm I’ve caused her. I’ve damaged her pride and her sense of belonging.
Before she can hand me my ass, I speak.
"I'm sorry."
Conall drops something at the back of the store and curses while Ivy blinks at me.
"You're… for what?" she asks.
