Lizzy shook her head. “I need to stop telling people where I’m going.”
“Come to Cupid’s Confections. Both of you!” Lydia looked at us excitedly.
“What for?” Lizzy asked.
“We have something special planned!” She said in a singsong voice. “Plus, Dad is there. We don’t want to disappoint him.”
I was pretty sure this was shameless manipulation, but Lydiawasshameless.
Lizzy turned apologetic eyes to me. “I think we’re on.”
I gave a shrug. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 6
Lydiachattedtousall the way to Cupid’s Confections. Apparently we were to partake in some skit. Acting wasn’t my forte, unless I counted how hard I was trying to act like I wasn’t in love with Lizzy. But I’d already agreed to go along with it, and fae were bound to their word, so there was no backing out now.
As we approached the bakery, I first noticed the oversized bay windows filled with hovering heart-shaped sugar clouds that drifted in gentle loops, releasing the faintest sparkle as people passed by. Each cloud occasionally formed whimsical shapes—interlocking hearts, cupid arrows, even the silhouette of two figures dancing—before dissolving into shimmering mist.
We walked into the shop, which was just as decked out for Valentine’s Day. Enchanted pastries floated above their trays, rotating slowly so customers could admire every side. Some treats sparkled. A few blew tiny, harmless kisses of glitter.
A sign above one display said:“No love spells added without permission. — Management”
What had I gotten myself into?
“I insisted we add that,” Lizzy declared when she saw me staring at the sign. “Oh, come away from the tree.” She grabbed my arm and pulled me from the small tree sitting by the door, whose pink petals were beginning to glow. One drifted down and dissolved into a sweet-scented sparkle that flared up and chimed before it hit the ground.
“What is that?” I asked.
“It’s a mini cherry-blossom tree that blooms nonstop throughout the month of February.”
“I charmed it into sensing romantic tension.” Lydia gave a mischievous grin. “So if two people standing next to it secretly like each other, the blossoms glow a soft pink. Mom pretends she doesn’t watch it constantly.”
I considered requesting that Lizzy move toward the tree again. I’d sworn I’d seen something, but she pulled me farther into the shop. The tables had been rearranged so that a small space to the right was left open with a mic. It most likely would be where we were to perform.
Mr. Bennet sat at a table. He looked pale and haggard and wore a large woven blanket about his shoulders. Lizzy walked up and offered him a hug and a kiss on the forehead.
“Lizzy, my dear, I can’t wait to see this lovely performance you’re going to put on. It might help you both recognize your true heart’s desire. At least according to your very meddlesome sisters.” He gave her a wink.
“I don’t understand why you’re making all this fuss,” Mrs. Bennet said. “Lizzy has no fondness for the man. And besides, he’s much too silent and stuck up for us, insulting my Lizzy.”
“Mom, that was a long time ago,” Lizzy countered.
“Not that long ago, I’m sure.” Mrs. Bennet pulled a light shawl tighter around her shoulders and harumphed. “I guess I have a better memory than most, which is good; otherwise, I’d letcertain peoplestep all over me.”
Lydia met up with Wickham, who handed her a stack of papers. She came back and gave each of us one. “Here’s your script.”
“Script?” Lizzy said incredulously.
“Yes, of course. Wickham and I wrote it.”
I read the title.Love at Last: The Romance We Always Knew Was Coming. “What are we acting out?” Anxiety twisted inside me, but I looked at Lizzy’s father sitting in his seat, excitement in his otherwise tired expression.
“Yours and Lizzy’s love story, of course.” Lydia turned as the door to Cupid’s Confections opened. “Oh good, Jane and Charles have arrived.”
Lizzy glanced at me with concern. “This is silly, and you guys know it,” she said to Lydia and her family. “Darcy doesn’t want to be part of this—”
“I don’t mind.” My heart beat a little faster. That wasn’t exactly true. This was far too close to telling Lizzy the truth about how I felt, and I doubted she was ready to hear it. Although this was a low-risk way to see how she reacted to me and our history. If she viewed it as positive, maybe there was hope.
