When we reached the guest room, Blake sat on the bed and watched as I hurriedly repaired my make-up and fixed my hair.
"What are you doing on New Year's?" he asked as I dusted powder on my face.
I shrugged, my eyes meeting his in the mirror. "I'm not sure. Maybe a party with my friends. I have to work the day after New Year's so I can't get too crazy."
He nodded, his eyes skimming my back as I leaned forward to check my lipstick in the mirror. "Think you'll want some company?"
My eyes went back to his and I smiled. "I'd like that."
"Good." When I faced him, he looked me over one more time. "Ready?"
"Um, maybe you should go down first? Just in case my parents are around," I suggested.
Blake chuckled. "Ashamed of me?"
I shook my head. "No. It's just that I'd like a chance to introduce you to my parents like a grown up rather than getting caught sneaking downstairs together. Plus, there's the fact that my dad might try to put a nasty spell on you if he realizes what we've been up to."
He grinned. "Okay, okay. How about you go down first and then I'll follow in a couple of minutes."
I nodded and gave him a quick kiss. Before I walked out the door, I glanced at him over my shoulder. "No pawing through my underwear drawer," I commanded.
Shrugging, he replied, "I make no promises."
Smiling hugely, I left the bedroom and headed down stairs to where the party was in full swing.
No sooner did my foot touch the bottom step than my aunt grabbed my arm. "I've been looking everywhere for you, Candela. Where have you been?" she hissed in my ear as she tugged toward the living room.
"I, uh, I-I, well-"
"Never mind. It doesn't matter. You're here now. I have someone I want to introduce you to," she muttered, smiling and nodding as we walked past her guests.
"Fenella, you promised you wouldn't try to fix me up any more."
She waved a hand. "No, no, it's not like that. If you hadn't been doing...whatever earlier, you would have heard my announcement."
"Announcement?"
She pulled me to a stop in front of an elegant woman in her late forties without responding. "Patricia, this is my niece, Candela. Candela, this is Patricia Mason. She's my new business partner."
I took the other woman's hand. "Ms. Mason, it's lovely to meet you."
Her grip was firm and I could feel her power humming beneath her skin. She was definitely strong, but she also wasn't a witch. Something about her seemed familiar. "Call me Patricia, Candela."
I nodded. My eyes darted to the side as Blake appeared next to Patricia and put his arm around her waist.
"Aunt Patty," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
Patricia gave him a stern look. "Blake, manners."
He grinned at my aunt and took her hand, lifting it to his lips. "Fenella, you're looking radiant, as always."
To my utter shock, I watched as my usually poised aunt blushed. She also didn't introduce me, which was completely unlike her. She was very keen on good manners.
"And I believe you already know, Candela Lewis, her niece," Blake's aunt continued.
Blake's grin turned absolutely wicked. "Candy," he muttered.
I bugged my eyes out at him, telling him with my expression to cut it out.
