A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

"She actually scared the owner!"

"This is hilarious! Never seen anyone this good before!"

Off to the side, Norton grinned and asked, "So, wanna keep playing? If you're having fun, let's go another round. If not, we can just move on."

He already had his wallet half out, ready to pay for another game if Mavis said the word.

If she wanted to keep going, he'd pay without hesitation. But if she was done, he'd just take her hand and keep walking.

"I think that's enough," Mavis said, eyeing the arcade owner, who looked like he might burst into tears any second.

"These are just Nerf guns after all. Next time, let's do something a little more legit," she joked, handing the plastic blaster back.

"Honestly, yeah,” Norton agreed, laughing, "these toy guns just don't cut it. When we get back, I know this awesome paintball range out by the woods. It's a blast!"

"Deal," Mavis replied, handing the toy gun to the frazzled owner.

into her arms and stammered, "Thanks for going easy

call it a

said, accepting the stuffed

cute. She figured she'd give one to Callie, one to

their fun, and the prizes were already mentally divided

a giant stuffed bunny slung over his shoulder,

watched him struggle with all the

hotel," she suggested. "Let me carry something, at least. We can

all this? You just keep looking around, have fun, and if you want anything, just tell me. I've got

didn't seem bothered at all, lugging everything alongside

her feel good, always joking, always keeping things light. It was hard not to relax

letting him do so much, but the way he acted,

the crowd, Uriah watched, keeping his distance but never losing sight of Mavis

most. She'd always been the type to keep people at

she did, she learned early not to rely on anyone. She hated owing people. If she could do