Page 10 of Hex Appeal

He shakes his head, but there’s no hiding the smile now.

“So?”

“We’ve gone on a couple dates.”

“With the same woman?”

“No.”

“Ah.” That sounds more like Beau.

“Yeah.” He blows out a breath. “They’ve all been… fine. Nothing soul-stirring or Earth-shattering. But I’m getting out there.”

“Look at you.”

“Fuck off. It’s more than you can say.”

I laugh.

Beau’s had shit luck when it comes to relationships. At some point, he decided he was cursed. I’ve told him that’s ridiculous. Mostly.

“So what’s next?” I ask.

“Another date tonight.”

“Impressive.”

He gives me the finger.

“Where are you taking her?” I ask.

“That new cocktail place.”

I stop with my cider halfway to my mouth. “Spellbound?”

“That’s the one.”

Interesting. “I met one of the sisters.”

Beau looks at me. “Oh?”

“The redhead.”

“Oh.”

I don’t like the way he says that. “What?”

“Nothing.” He shrugs.

I take a drink of cider.

Unfortunately, saying her name—or not saying her name—is enough to bring Serena immediately to mind.

That hair. Those green eyes. Those curves.

The way she planted one hand on her hip when she got pissed at me. The way her entire face lit up when she talked to her customers.

The way she called after me to have a magical day after I accused her candles of setting the town on fire.