Around the room, people also lifted their glasses and many said, “Here, here!”
Candace drank and then put her glass down on the table, afraid to look Tamara in the eye.
“You didn't tell me Josh's parents were famous!” Tamara said.
“It wasn't my secret to tell,” Candace said quietly.
Waiters appeared with trays of food, which they set down at each table. Dinner consisted of soup, salad, appetizer, entrée, and dessert, all garlic-laced — except for the dessert. The food was delicious, and, for the most part, the garlic flavor blended subtly into the background.
Tamara was uncharacteristically quiet while she ate. Candace noticed though that after every other bite Tamara turned to try and get a glimpse of James.
As soon as dinner was over, James came back over and sat down next to Tamara. Moments later the two were deep in discussion. Candace got up and walked outside to get some fresh air.
Josh must have had the same thought because that was where she found him. She had to admit that he looked really good in a tuxedo. It was a change from the type of clothes that she normally saw him in. Although she saw him as a more relaxed kind of guy, the tux really did suit him and he wore it like he was used to it.
“James and Tamara were busy talking, so I figured it would be a good time to make myself scarce,” Candace said.
“I take it Tamara now knows my secret,” Josh said.
“Yeah. She won't tell anyone, though.”
“That's cool.”
“It's a great party,” Candace said.
“Yeah.”
“Speaking of, my parents have decided to have a game night New Year's Eve to break in their new board game.”
“That sounds like fun.”
“I hope so, because they're really insistent that I invite you.”
Josh smiled. “Whose team do I have to play on?”
“Dad tried to call dibs, but I told him he was out of luck. You and I are a package deal as far as game night is concerned.”
“I like that. Sounds cool. I'd love to come.”
“You sure it will be okay with your family?”
“Yeah. James has declared that what he wants to do is catch up on a bunch of the movies he hasn't seen.”
“That sounds like fun. I know you like movies, and I know how much you've missed him.”
“Yeah, but now that he's home, he and I can go to the movies anytime. How many opportunities will I get to help your family break in a new game? Sorry, gotta say it. The choice seems like a no-brainer.”
“I thought that was my line,” Candace said.
“I'm not above stealing good lines.”
They were quiet for a minute as they took in the beauty of the night. It was always so easy to be with Josh. They could talk for hours or just be quiet, and it was okay either way. She thought about Tamara and James back in the restaurant and wondered how things were going. She had never seen Tamara so smitten before.
“I'm sad that Christmas is over,” Candace finally admitted. There was so much more that she wanted to say, but somehow that was all she could find the words for.
“You know, Easter's not that far away,” Josh said.
“In your world, all the holidays live next door to each other, don't they?” Candace asked.
“Wouldn't have it any other way. So, seriously. You gonna work at The Zone over spring break?”
“I'll still be recovering from Christmas break,” Candace said. She had meant it as a joke, but it didn't seem funny once she said it.
“Come on, it'll be fun. The chocolate eggs, the Easter pageant … can't miss it.”
“Not even you can talk me into it this time, Josh.”
“But I'll bet someone can.”
“I doubt it. Besides, I think I've now passed out every food item with candy in the title. That's it, I'm done.”
“Come on. I can think of other candy things. What about candy buttons?”
“Nope, I checked. We don't sell candy buttons at The Zone,” she said, a little thrill of victory running through her.
“Candy cigarettes?”
“What? They don't even make those anymore,” Candace said, jolted out of her melancholy. “And even if they do, The Zone wouldn't sell them.”
Josh leaned close. “Okay, you win that one. But I know for a fact we sell candy apples.”
Candace groaned. “I completely forgot about the apples!”
Josh smiled and leaned back. “That's okay, they didn't forget about you.”
“Great, it's going to be me, spring break, and the candy apples. What more could a girl want?”
He gave her a strange look and said softly, “That remains to be seen.”
Read an excerpt of
The Spring of Candy Apples,
Book 4 in Sweet Sessions.
Candace couldn't believe how nervous she felt as she headed for The Zone and her first shift at the Candy Counter. In some ways it was just as bad as getting her first job there. Unlike the other jobs she'd had at The Zone, this one didn't come with a built-in expiration date. She was there until she quit. Or at least until they fire me, she thought ruefully.
She arrived at the park and made her way toward the store. She had just reached it when she spotted Josh, jogging toward her with a camera in hand.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
He grinned. “Just wanted to get a picture of Candy's first day at the Candy Counter.”
She didn't want to, but she couldn't help smiling back at him. “Fine, but just one picture.”
“Okay, now stand under the sign,” he instructed.
She positioned herself under the Candy in the sign and struck a pose.
“Beautiful,” he said as he took the picture.
He moved to show it to her on the screen. She laughed when she saw herself.
“Oh yeah, this is going to make a great addition to The Zone Yearbook,” he said.
“What?” she asked, the laughter dying on her lips.
“The yearbook. Comes out at the end of May each year.”
“You're kidding,” she said.
“Nope.”
“I've never heard of a Zone yearbook!”
“Candy, there are lots of things here you've never heard of. Still, you're going to be pretty popular in the book this year.”
“Give me the camera.”
“So you can delete the picture? I don't think so. Besides, isn't it time for your shift?” he asked.
“Fiend.”
“That's friend,” he corrected.
She rolled her eyes and stepped into the store.
“Surprise!”
Candace jumped backward as dozens of people shouted in unison. Behind her, Josh put a hand on her shoulder and shoved her forward.
Bewildered, she took in the scene. Balloons floated from every hand, and huge banner said Happy Birthday & Welcome Aboard! Everywhere she looked she saw familiar faces of friends and coworkers.
“What's going on?” she asked.
“Well, someone let slip that your birthday is coming up,” said Martha. “And then you became a regular non-seasonal employee, and it just seemed like a good excuse to celebrate.”
“You guys! Wow, thank you!” she said, humbled and overwhelmed.
“So, I take it you didn't see the sign on the door that said Closed for Private Party?” Becca asked.
“Nope, she was too busy trying to get me to delete her picture,” Josh said proudly.
She turned on him and pounded him in the chest with a fist. “You big faker. I knew there wasn't a yearbook!”
“Oh no, there's a yearbook,” Pete, the crazy train engineer, spoke up. “I'm guessing you're going to be all over it this year.”
“Great,” Candace said with a shake of her head. “Okay, so who actually works here?” she asked.
Several hands shot up around the room, and soon Candace's newest coworkers were making their way forward to introduce themselves. Names and f
aces blurred by for a minute, and Candace realized that she was never going to remember them. Oh well, there'd be plenty of time to get to know everyone later, she decided.
Once the introductions were finished, Becca wheeled out a cake. On top of it her nickname, Candy, was spelled out in a variety of different candies. She smiled, blew out the candles, and received the first piece. It was strawberry cake and amazingly good.
Candace gradually made her way around the store, trying to thank everyone. She finally bumped into Roger.
“Happy almost birthday,” he said.
“Thanks. How are you doing?”
“Pretty good. It looks like I'm going to get a sports scholarship to college.”
“Roger, that's amazing!” It really was. When she first had met Roger he had been the klutziest guy in the park. Their team had won the summer Scavenger Hunt though, and it had given Roger the confidence he needed.
“So, Roger, I hear there's a talent show coming up. How about getting the team back together?” she asked.
He squirmed slightly. “I'm sorry, Candace. That would be fun, but I'm trying to get a job at the Muffin Mansion. If I get it, I'll be on their team.”
“Becca told me they almost never have openings.”
“One of the ladies, Sally Lunn, is retiring.”
“Wow, really?”
“Yeah. She's seventy. So that means there's going to be an opening, and I want to be the one to get it.”
“So you can spend more time with Becca?”
He nodded.
“Good for you! I hope they pick you.”
“Me too,” he said.
Muffin Mansion referees did all the park activities together. It was a very close-knit group. They were fiercely competitive and completely loyal to each other.
“Hey, stranger,” Sue said.
“Hey!” Candace said, giving Sue a quick hug.
“I've been meaning to hunt you down. I'm having a slumber party for my birthday next Friday night. Do you think there's any way you could come?”
It was a long shot, given Sue's brother and sister, but it never hurt to ask.
“I'll see what I can do. A couple of parents owe me some sleepover favors.”
“That would so rock!”
“So has anyone told you about the talent show yet?” Sue asked.
“Just found out about it,” Candace admitted. “Have you got a team yet?”
“Yeah, Pete, Traci, Corinne from food services, and I signed up last week.”
“Oh,” Candace said, unable to hide her dismay.
Sue smiled. “We put down your name too, just in case.”
“You guys are the best,” Candace said, hugging her again.
“Pete had a sneaking suspicion you'd be back. I knew you'd be the last one to hear about the talent show.”
“Well, you were both right,” Candace said. “What's our talent?”
Carter House Girls Series
from Melody Carlson
Mix six teenage girls and one ‘60s fashion icon (retired, of course) in an old Victorian-era boarding home. Add boys and dating, a little high school angst, and throw in a Kate Spade bag or two … and you've got the Carter House Girls, Melody Carlson's new chick lit series for young adults!
Books 5–8 coming soon!
Pick up a copy today at your favorite bookstore!
Visit www.zondervan.com/teen
A Sweet Seasons Novel
from Debbie Viguié!
They're fun! They're quirky! They're Sweet Seasons—unlike any other books you've ever read. You could call them alternative, God-honoring chick lit. Join Candy Thompson on a sweet, light-hearted, and honest romp through the friendships, romances, family, school, faith, and values that make a girl's life as full as it can be.
Book 4 coming soon!
Pick up a copy today at your favorite bookstore!
Visit www.zondervan.com/teen
Forbidden Doors
A Four-Volume Series from
Bestselling Author Bill Myers!
Some doors are better left unopened.
Join teenager Rebecca “Becka” Williams, her brother Scott, and her friend Ryan Riordan as they head for mind-bending clashes between the forces of darkness and the kingdom of God.
Echoes from the Edge
A New Trilogy from
Bestselling Author Bryan Davis!
This fast-paced adventure fantasy trilogy starts with murder and leads teenagers Nathan and Kelly out of their once-familiar world as they struggle to find answers to the tragedy. A mysterious mirror with phantom images, a camera that takes pictures of things they can't see, and a violin that unlocks unrecognizable voices … each enigma takes the teens farther into an alternate universe where nothing is as it seems.
Beyond the
Reflection's Edge
Book One
Softcover · ISBN: 978-0-310-71554-2
After sixteen-year-old Nathan Shepherd's parents are murdered during a corporate investigation, he teams up with a friend to solve the case. They discover mirrors that reflect events from the past and future, a camera that photographs people who aren't there, and a violin that echoes unseen voices.
Eternity's Edge
Book Two
Softcover · ISBN: 978-0-310-71555-9
Nathan Shepherd's parents are alive after all! With the imminent collapse of the universe at hand, due to a state called interfinity, Nathan sets out to find them. With Kelly at his side, he must balance his efforts between searching for his parents and saving the world. Will Nathan be reunited with his parents?
Book 3 coming soon!
Pick up a copy today at your favorite bookstore!
Visit www.zondervan.com/teen
The Shadowside Trilogy
by Robert Elmer!
Those who live in lush comfort on the bright side of the small planet Corista have plundered the water resources of Shadowside for centuries, ignoring the existence of Shadowside's inhabitants, who are nothing more than animals. Or so the Brightsiders have been taught. It will take a special young woman to expose the truth—and to help avert the war that is sure to follow—in the exciting Shadowside Trilogy, the latest sci-fi adventure from Robert Elmer.
Trion Rising
Book One
Softcover · ISBN: 978-0-310-71421-7
When the mysterious Jesmet, whom the authorities brand as a Magician of the Old Order, begins to connect with Oriannon, he is banished forever to the shadow side of their planet Corista.
The Owling
Book Two
Softcover · ISBN: 978-0-310-71422-4
Life is turned upside down on Corista for 15-year-old Oriannon and her friends. The planet's axis has shifted, bringing chaos to Brightside and Shadowside. And Jesmet, the music mentor who was executed for saving their lives, is alive and promises them a special power called the Numa—if they'll just wait.
Book 3 coming soon!
Pick up a copy today at your favorite bookstore!
Visit www.zondervan.com/teen
Other Books in the Sweet Season Series
The Summer of Cotton Candy
The Fall of Candy Corn
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Debbie Viguié, The Winter of Candy Canes (A Sweet Seasons Novel)
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