“Are you going to tell me who was really on the phone?” I asked her, deciding redirection would be a better tactic than trying to rid myself of my jumbled nerves—a task that no amount of magic could tackle.
“Point made,” she conceded, jabbing her spoon at me before setting it on the counter. “When you’re ready to really talk about things, I’m here.”
I arched a brow at her. “Likewise.”
Chapter7
Oakley
“What do you think?”
Pulling the black lace so it sat flush against her hip, I stared up at Jade, her eyes narrowing on herself in the mirror propped up against our living room wall.
The house was bustling, witches from the street all in various states of dress. Hazel was out in the garage, thumbing through the designs in my makeshift studio, coming in periodically with different outfits for them to try on for today’s photoshoot.
These pictures would be featured at the Moonlit Masquerade, and while I was so excited to be back in business again, I was equally terrified. This wasn’t the same Full Moon Emporium people had known. It had evolved.
And so had I.
Would the supernatural public be receptive to it, though?
“I think I’m in love.” Jade twisted her hips to see the bra and panty set with crisscross embellishments from different angles.
A smile ripped through my previous fears, the nerves within me simmering until they disappeared completely. She loved it. And from the way she was staring at herself in the mirror, it was like she’d put on a new layer of confidence.
Exactly what I wanted.
“You look incredible,” Ivy said, coming over to check out her friend. She was wearing a deep-blue nightie with a plunging neckline that stopped just above her belly button. “If Jacob saw you right now, he’d be whisking you away.”
“If he doesn’t, I volunteer.” Hazel threw us a wink. Pink smeared Jade’s cheeks, but she didn’t seem too opposed to the idea.
I cleared my throat, sending her off the platform before pulling Ivy onto it.
“Let me loosen the strap here,” I said, adjusting the material so the neckline fell at the perfect spot, caressing her curves beautifully. “Now the girls are really on display.”
Ivy chuckled. “They need all the showcasing they can get.”
“Everyone,” I called out, waiting a few moments for the witches to gather. “Thank you so much for being so amazing and doing this.”
Whoops and cheers echoed around the room, a few even clapping. Looking out among the crowd, it was the first time I truly felt like a part of this community here in Celestial Haven. I’d been so focused on moving and caring for Aspen and then Hazel’s disappearance, making friends, setting down roots, it all felt unimportant.
But these witches were my friends. My community.
My coven.
“And we may have left some favors for you on your way out,” Hazel added with a wink.
She pointed to the ten bags sitting on the counter, stuffed with goodies like pumpkin spice–flavored lube, carnelian crystals imbued with increased libido, and vials of my own homebrewed full moon elixir. I’d almost skipped out on making those since it reminded me of Aurora and what she’d done to Acacia, but if she hadn’t killed the mysterious witch, I honestly didn’t know if my sister would have ever been found.
The Goddess worked in mysterious ways.
Around the room, everyone’s eyes lit with excitement, shouting a ripple of thanks.
“You are so welcome. Thankyoufor being my guinea pigs.” They were all dressed in my designs, ready to go for the photoshoot, and they looked incredible.
I summoned the last few witches to me, making small adjustments to their lingerie.
“Let’s head out back,” I called to everyone once I’d finished the final tweaks. “Hazel set up some fun spots to shoot.”
