I loved it.
“What are you smiling at?” Gideon asked.
“I was an only child,” I explained. “Big families always fascinated me.”
“And? What do you think?”
I noticed he didn’t try to say they weren’t his family. “I thought it’d be loud and chaotic and…” I shrugged. “Exhausting, maybe? But being here is, I don’t know, rejuvenating? I like it.”
“It worked, guys. We fooled him.” Sable laughed and held her hand up to the guy sitting next to her. He high-fived it.
“They’re on their best behavior today. Don’t expect it to last.” Gideon shook his head, but he was smiling.
My phone pinged, announcing a text.
Unknown number:This is Paula. Meet me at Lily’s. On my way there now.
I looked up at Gideon, who was watching me. “Paula wants to meet at Lily’s.”
Everyone around the table groaned. A few muttered, “Poor you.”
“Hey, Lily’s concoctions aren’t that bad,” I said.
“Yes, they are.” Sable shivered. “When she first opened, I tried her sweet and spicy latte. I don’t think my taste buds ever recovered. Pureed strawberries and jalapenos do not belong together in a coffee.”
I snorted. “Well, I don’t need any more coffee this morning, so I should be safe from her strange and unusual creations.” I eyed the mess of empty bowls and plates scattered across the table. I couldn’t believe we’d actually finished all the food. “But I need to get this cleaned up first.”
Gideon shook his head. “We cooked, so they clean.”
Everyone hopped out of their chairs and started clearing the table. No one even complained. As they passed me, they allthanked me for a delicious breakfast and begged me to do it again. I promised I would.
“Okay. Let’s see what Paula found out,” Gideon said, holding his hand out to me.
We made it as far as the door before someone rushed in.
“Alph–I mean, Gideon…” The stranger tilted her head to the side, like she was exposing her neck to him. “I need your help.”
Gideon glanced at me.
“Do what you need to do,” I said, squeezing his hand. “I don’t think this will take long. Paula probably wants to meet at Lily’s so she can grab a coffee and head straight to work. Although, depending on what Paula has to say, I might stick around and ask Lily some questions. She might have seen something the night of Winston’s murder.”
Gideon brushed his lips over mine. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“I’m just going over to Lily’s.” I patted his chest. “I’ll be fine.”
I smiled all the way to The Witch’s Brew. Nothing was wrecking my mood today. The bubbly sensation in my chest that I was starting to suspect might be connected to my magic fluttered through me.
At the end of the street, vendors chattered to one another as they hauled more merch to their stalls at the festival site. Birds chirped overhead. The sun warmed my face. And the taste of Gideon’s kiss lingered on my lips.
I felt ready to take on the world.
Maybe I’d even give another of Lily’s brews a try.
Sure, I’d had a lot of coffee already, but I could always drink more.
I yanked open the door to Lily’s coffee shop and inhaled deeply. The rich aroma of coffee swept over me. There was a slightly floral or leafy smell, too. It reminded me of a spring morning.
The fluttery feeling expanded to skitter up my spine. That was new, and I wasn’t sure I liked it. Hopefully, it was temporary, like magical growing pains. I wiggled to make it go away.
