Needing You Close (Ex-Con Duet 2)

The girl’s face lights up. “Sure!”

Grabbing her supplies, she dips her brush in the black paint. Carefully, she paints whiskers on Gemma’s cheeks, then a pink upside-down triangle on her nose. When the girl is done, she grabs a mirror and shows Gemma.

“You’re the prettiest cat here!” she compliments, and Gemma laughs.

“How much do I owe you?” Gemma unzips her crossbody purse, but I’ve already got my wallet open and cash ready.

“Six dollars,” the girl says.

I hand her a twenty and tell her to keep the change. She holds it, and her eyes go wide. “Really?”

“Yeah! Consider it a tip for being an amazing painter.” I grin.

“Thank you so much.” She’s so excited that she nearly squeals.

When we leave, Gemma loops her arm in mine. “That was really sweet of you.”

I glance over at her and how adorable she looks with whiskers. “She did a good job, and I think she’s right. You are the prettiest cat here.”

“Maybe I can have her to teach me how to paint.” Gemma snickers, then leans into me.

We continue viewing the different fall themed items—plastic pumpkins, wreaths, candles, pretty much everything a person could imagine. At the end of the block, a photo booth is set up, and it seems to be a popular area because the line is long.

“We should check this out,” I suggest, and she nods.

“Yes! We totally should, so we have photos to remember our first date.” She winks. Right now, in the middle of the street, all I want to do is kiss her, not caring who sees, but I don’t.

“First of many,” I admit. She tucks her bottom lip into her mouth, and I’m tempted to pluck it free. After we wait in line for ten minutes, it’s our turn to walk inside. After I pay, she gestures to the props if we want to use them. Gemma places a wizard’s hat on my head and hands me a wand as she grabs a sign that reads “All Tricks” and a crown. The photographer moves us in front of a backdrop of a haunted mansion.

“You get five poses,” the photographer explains.

“Perfect.” I give him a thumbs-up, and he counts down. We make silly faces and laugh our asses off for another. Next, I wrap my arm around her and pose like high schoolers at prom. For the last two, I place my hands on her cheeks and kiss her, something I’ve wanted to do since we arrived.

“Those turned out great,” the guy admits, directing us to where we can get our photos.

“Can we pick them up later?” Gemma asks, seeing how many people are already waiting.

“Yep, we close at nine! They’ll be in an envelope waiting for y’all.”

After we leave, my body buzzes from being so close to her.

We pass Disney princesses, Marvel characters, and the occasional devil and vampire.

“I’ve always loved Halloween,” she admits.

“I remember,” I say, interlocking our fingers as we enjoy being together.

In the middle of the square is a big stack of wood where the ceremonial bonfire will be lit at dark. I glance over and see a stage where a band will perform at seven. Purple and orange lights are strung from poles, creating an area for a dance floor. I make a mental note for us to come back later, but we still have a few hours before sunset.

Gemma and I play a few games, and she randomly takes out her phone and snaps selfies of us. As we pass people on the street, I wonder if news has fully spread about Gemma and Robert’s breakup. We have no reason to hide anymore, though it’s a little awkward with so many wandering eyes. Honestly, though, I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks. For the first time in a long ass time, I’m happy. I won’t let town rumors and whispers ruin a good thing.

“We should do the hayride.” Gemma points across the way where a tractor is pulling a trailer of hay. When it comes to a stop, the kids hop off, smiling like they had the time of their life.

“Deal.” We make our way over and climb aboard. I sit on some hay with Gemma on my lap. The trailer quickly fills with children and chatter. Gemma and I are nothing but smiles as the tractor takes off and drives us up and down the streets. I wrap my arms around her waist and hold her as she grins wide. We pass all the decorated businesses, the haunted maze filled with zombies, and the pumpkin patch. Most people look like they’re having a good time, and the weather couldn’t have been any better. I’ve never really cared about any of the town activities and always skipped them, but doing things like this with Gemma might be one of our new traditions.