Cassidy.”
“I think everyone in Blackstone Bay is aware of my intentions regarding Cassidy,” Nick said. “I think Cassidy is aware, too, and that’s why she’s hiding. I stopped by her house twice today. I stopped by the school. She called in sick. She’s literally in hiding.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault, Mad. It’s mine.”
“If you don’t want to break up with her … .”
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence,” Nick said. “I want to break up with her. I want … to move on. I’m stuck until I can see her in person.”
“Well, she’ll probably show up at the fair this weekend,” Maddie said.
“I’m hoping I can find her before the fair tomorrow. I’d really rather not break up with her in front of hundreds of people.”
“I understand.”
“If I have to break up with her in front of hundreds of people, though, I’m going to do it,” Nick added. “I’m just … done. I can’t keep doing this. She needs to move on with her life.”
“Well, you can hide here if you need to,” Maddie said. “Maude isn’t scared of pitchforks.”
Nick snickered, lifting his head when Maude noisily clomped into the room. “Speak of the devil.”
“You were talking about Edna Proctor?” Maude deadpanned.
“We were,” Nick said, playing along.
“Well, I have an idea about that,” Maude said, focusing on Maddie. “When she comes to your booth, and she will come because she knows it bugs me, I want you to tell her she’s going to die of the herpes.”
Maddie rolled her eyes. “I’m not going to tell her that. You don’t die from herpes.”
“How do you know?” Maude asked, narrowing her eyes.
“Yeah, Mad, how do you know that?” Nick teased.
Maddie poked him in the ribs. “You’re on thin ice, buddy.”
“Then tell her she’s going to die of Chlamydia,” Maude said. “I’m not particular.”
“First of all, I haven’t even decided if I’m going to run a booth,” Maddie argued.
“You told Catherine you would.”
“I did not,” Maddie said. “You two ambushed me and told me what I would be doing. I never agreed to it.”
“Well, you’re doing it,” Maude said. “I’ll look bad if you back out now.”
“I’m not sure I’m comfortable with it,” Maddie said.
“What kind of booth do they want you to run?” Nick asked.
“They want me to read tarot cards for people.”
“Olivia did that for a few years,” Nick said. “She had a good time. She was popular.”
“That’s because people liked my mother.”
Nick sighed and brushed his hair off his forehead. “People like you, too.”
“No, they don’t. They always stare at me. I can feel their eyes on me. They all think I’m … odd.”
“You are odd,” Nick said. “You’re also amazing and magical. Stop getting down on yourself. I thought you were going to work on your self-esteem?”
“I am. That doesn’t mean I’m oblivious to people staring at me.”
“They’re not staring at you because you’re odd anyway,” Nick said.
“Oh, really? Then why are they staring at me?”
“Because you’re beautiful.”
Maddie froze, embarrassed pleasure climbing her cheeks. “I … .”
“He’s right,” Maude said. “You just need to get over yourself. You’re a beautiful girl. Men stare.”
“Women stare, too.”
“Because they’re jealous,” Nick said.
“You’re making that up.”
“No, I’m not,” Nick said. “You just need to suck it up. Most of the people in this town see you for what you are: sweet and gorgeous. You’re the only one who doesn’t see that.”
“What about Marla Proctor?”
“Tell her she has the herpes,” Maude suggested.
“She probably really does,” Nick said, grimacing. “Now, she’s the devil.”
“Her grandmother is the devil,” Maude corrected. “Marla is just the heir apparent.”
Nick snickered and then turned serious. “I think it would be good for you to do the booth,” he said. “You need to put