Skylar smiled at her gratefully, and Gabby nodded slowly.
“It could work,” she said. “We could tell people to bring thermoses, and flasks, and those little heat-pocket things that you put in your gloves.” She was getting more and more excited. “It’ll be like maple-sugaring parties! Except no adults! And no horse-drawn carriages!” She looked off into the distance, still scheming. And then a smile grew wide across her face. “We could have it at the Haunted Woods,” she said. “Do you know about them? Out by the new mall?”
Every nerve on Em’s body went on alert when she heard Gabby mention the mall. She hated even thinking about that place. For the thousandth time she found herself thinking about those red seeds, how gritty they’d tasted, how Ty had watched her swallow them. She began to tune out again, refocusing her attention on the sleet and the wind.
“There have been some pretty great parties out there,” Gabby continued. “They call it the Haunted Woods, but it’s really only haunted by awesomeness. Wouldn’t you say, Em? Remember that one time—”
Skylar cut in. “My aunt said they really are haunted. By three women . . . three witches who burned in the woods, like, a thousand years ago. They’re the ones doing the haunting. That’s what my aunt says.”
Em’s attention suddenly became very focused. “What? What three women?” Her voice was thick, and she had to clear her throat.
“Earth to Em,” Gabby said, shaking her head in mock disappointment. “You zone out, it’s not our job to catch you up.”
“I was just saying,” Skylar explained after swallowing a mouthful of whipped cream, “that my aunt Nora—that’s who I’m staying with—told me a crazy story about the Haunted Woods. I’m not sure I want to throw a party there.”
“Don’t be silly,” Gabby interjected. “It’ll be legendary! We’ll invite literally everyone.”
“What’s the story?” Em asked again, laser-focused on Skylar.
“Oh, I don’t really know much about it,” Skylar answered nervously. “My aunt is just all into the supernatural, and she told me that there were three witches in those woods who were burned there a really long time ago. And supposedly they’re the ones haunting the place.” She rolled her eyes. “Crazy, huh?”
Em felt her heart rising into her throat. “I’ve, ah, I’ve never heard that one,” she said. “Do you remember any more of it?”
“No, that’s really all I can remember.” Skylar laughed. “But hopefully they don’t show up to my party!”
Three women in the woods—three wronged women haunting the woods? It hit too close to home, and Em started feeling itchy. She checked her watch and glanced again at the hail hitting the window. “I have to be home by ten, and I’m a little worried about the roads,” she said, clicking the cap back onto the moisturizer she’d been using. “Thanks for letting me crash girls’ night,” she added as she got up to put on her socks and stretch her legs. “Gabs, save the Chinese for a study date tomorrow?”
“It was so nice to meet you,” Skylar said with a little wave.
“Wait, wait, wait,” Gabby said, running ahead of Em into the hall and pulling a Burberry coat from the front closet. “You are not leaving the house without a coat, young lady. I don’t care how absentminded-professor you are these days.” She thrust the tan coat at Em. “And I am going walk you to the car under the trusty protection of my dad’s enormous golf umbrella,” she said, brandishing the umbrella as she spoke. “I do not want you getting sick. Plus your hair looks fantastic right now, and you might be able to maintain it overnight if you don’t get it wet. So. Let’s go.”
God. Gabby was like drill sergeant of kindness. It was worthless to even bother protesting. Em threw a hand to her forehead and mock-saluted. “If you say so, captain.”
As they shoved their feet into their boots, Gabby twisted around to ask Skylar, “Want to come? There’s room for all of us under that thing. It’s like a tent.”
“To the car?” Skylar looked confused, and Em had to let out a little snicker. Clearly, she hadn’t been enrolled long enough in the School of Gabby’s Whims.
“Yeah, just to the end of the driveway! It’ll be a fun little adventure.” The Doves had a very long driveway. Their big house sat on top of a small hill.