Cade was a Normal—a person born into a supernatural or magical family, but for some reason, doesn’t inherit the magical gene or abilities themselves. He’d moved to Mystic Cove to work as a paramedic and had been dating Crystal for a while.
“I’m not sharing my cat bed,”Savage shouted from the living room.
I rolled my eyes and told Crystal what Savage had said.She laughed and took another sip of her wine.
I carried the charcuterie board into the living room and set it on the coffee table while Crystal followed with a three-tiered tray of fancy French desserts I’d picked up at the local patisserie.I was not a cook. Or a baker. If it weren’t for Alfred making me breakfast every morning and feeding me dinner at least three nights a week, I’d probably starve to death.
“This looks wonderful, Kara,” Crystal said, setting down the tray.
A knock sounded at the front door, and I nearly squealed in glee. This was my first official Galentine’s Day party, and as silly as it sounded, I was excited. I’d never really had girlfriends to celebrate with.
“That’ll be the twins.” I waved my hand in the air and used my magic to open the door.
Bettina and Zahara stepped inside, each carrying gift bags in their hands.
“I’m out of here, Valkyrie,”Savage said.“Too many females for my taste.”
“Happy Galentine’s Day!” Zahara cried.
“Come in.” I said, ignoring Savage as he strolled outside into the cold night. “Set the gifts by the fireplace and grab a glass of wine.”
My goal tonight was simple. Fellowship with girlfriends, a small gift exchange, and lots of food and wine. And laughter. Lots and lots of laughter.
“I saw headlights when getting out of the car,” Bettina said, setting down her bags. “I bet it’s Ashlyn.”
Ashlyn Coleson was Trey Wells’ long-lost daughter. She worked for PADA as a culinary consultant when they had cases that involved enchanted food. In her spare time, she helped libraries and supernaturals decipher old recipes and spell-laced cookbooks.
As the twins each grabbed a glass of wine, another knock sounded. I waved my hand in the air, and the door opened again. Sure enough,Ashlyn stepped in next. Her cheeks were pink from the cold, and she had gift bags looped over her wrist. After brushing off the wet snowflakes, she hung up her coat on the rack near the door and hurried over to where we were gathered around the sofa and coffee table.
“Hey,” she said, setting down her gift bags. “It’s getting cold out there.”
“Wine or mulled cider?” I asked.
“Wine,” Ashlyn said.
Ipoured a glass and handed it to her. After taking a sip, she sat down on the floor. I was sitting in the armchair next to the fireplace, while Crystal and Zahara sat on the couch, and Ashlyn and Bettina sat on the floor.
A trickle of soot dropped from the chimney, and a few seconds later, Lily popped out of the fireplace.Her pixie wingsglowed purple and pink, and she looked adorable in a pink snowsuit. I knew that most of Link and Lily’s winter clothes came from the twins’ Barbies they had as little girls.
“Hey, Lily!” we all cried.
Link and Lily had gotten married over Yule, and they both now lived in the tree stump in my front yard. Because Lily was so tiny, I’d had her give me her presents earlier in the day so she wouldn’t have to carry them. I’d tried not to laugh when she’d handed me five teeny-tiny gift bags earlier tonight.
“Mead?” I mused.
I knew she and Link loved hot milk and honey, but when they had an adult beverage, they preferred honey wine.
“Sounds wonderful.” Lily settled onto my armchair as I leaned over and poured her a thimble of mead.
“I hope everyone is hungry and thirsty,” I said.
“Starving.”Crystal snatched a caramel-and-nut stuffed date from the board.”Oh, these are good.”
I handed Lily her thimble of mead. “I found them on Witchagram. It’s supposed to be like the latest craze.”I sat down and took a deep breath. “Speaking of crazy things. I have something to ask you all. I want you guys to stand up with me on our wedding day. I know—”
Squeals filled the room, and I couldn’t help but laugh. I’d hoped the girls would respond that way, but I didn’t have much experience in this area.
“All of us?” Crystal mused, laughing and shaking her head.
