Page 53 of Autumn Ritual

“Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself, Rory Gilmore.”

Ivry chuckled, probably loving the fact that I recognized her favorite TV character.

After breaking the hug, I placed my order with her. “One frost on the pumpkin, please. Extra caramel.”

Ivry slid her hands to my shoulders and gave me a serious look. “Should you have espresso?”

I jerked back. “What?”

She rolled her eyes. “Your mom told me!”

“Oh,” I laughed. “Well, who else did she tell?”

Ivry tipped her head back and forth. “Just a few people.”

“So, the whole Cove knows?”

“No!” Ivry whispered. “Just your friends.”

“Okay. That’s…okay.” I grinned. “And yes, I intend to continue the vice. We’re Italian, Ives. Espresso runs through our veins.”

“True!” She gave me another hug, then dashed behind the counter to begin the drink.

I paid before going to wait near where she worked. “How have things been?”

“Oh! I got engaged.” She flashed the rock on her finger before tipping the container and squeezing a generous amount of gooey caramel into my cup.

“I’m blind!” I’m stunned. “Wait? The guy you wanted me to come to dinner and meet? The one who tried to kill Don Lucian? Why am I blanking on his name!”

I almost rubbed my forehead, remembered I had paint on it, reached to adjust my glasses instead, and then realized I’d opted for contacts. I dropped my hand to the counter’s edge, my attempt at fidgeting defeated.

Ivry cackled. She brushed a hand over her pixie haircut. “His name is Demyan, and he’s staying at the Airbnb next door until we tie the knot. I’m thinking a snowy wedding. So as soon as those flakes appear, you’ll need a bridesmaid dress!”

That was the problem with being a hermit writer. Everyone else’s lives went on, and when I resurfaced, I realized how much I’d missed. I made a mental note to come into town on Saturdays to catch up. Besides, I missed the quaint atmosphere of this place. There was nowhere else like San Pietro Cove.

Ivry once said the town was like Stars Hollow if it was run by psychopaths. She couldn’t have been more spot on with that analogy.

“You going to any Halloween parties tonight?” Ivry asked as she handed me my drink.

I shook my head. “Nope. I’m trick-or-treating.”

“Good for you! Brush your teeth after you eat all that candy,” she called out as I began to walk to the door.

I tossed a wave over my shoulder—and nearly ran into a customer barreling through the door. “Oops! Sorry—Lucian.”

The name was bile on my tongue.

The don gave me a frigid look, moving to hold the door open.

I stepped through but then stopped to let out a menacing threat. “If you ever meddle with my life again, I’ll make you the villain in my books.”

Lucian’s nostrils flared. “Sara, I—”

“Save it.” I held up a hand. “Cam and I are together. You need to be happy for your friend…or else.”

His voice turned strangled. “I am happy. I just…fuck, Sara, he’s different. Are you really sure you want to spend the rest of your life with the guy who pulls the trigger around here?”

I took a deep breath. “That’s what people like you don’t understand. Cam has layers. Deep down, he’s not a cold-blooded killer. Any blood he spills comes leaks out of people who deserve it.”