Page 15 of A Second Roar for Love

Ellie buried her face in her hands as the others cackled with glee.

“In all seriousness, though,” Celeste said, her voice softening, “I’m so happy for you two. After everything you’ve been through, you both deserve a second chance at happiness.”

Ellie smiled. “Thanks, Celeste. It feels... right. Like coming home.”

“Speaking of cookies,” Daisy piped up, “Molly, didn’t you say you had a new batch for us to try?”

Molly leaped up, her eyes sparkling. “I almost forgot. Let me go grab them.”

She dashed into the kitchen, returning a moment later with a plate piled high with golden, glistening cookies. “I call these my ‘Futures Forecast’ cookies. They’re supposed to give you a glimpse of your future.”

Daisy eyed the cookies warily. “Molly, the last time I ate one of your vision cookies, I spent the afternoon convinced I was going to marry a talking tree.”

Molly waved a hand dismissively. “That was just a fluke! I’ve refined the recipe since then.”

Celeste, ever the brave one, reached out and plucked a cookie from the plate. She took a big bite, chewing thoughtfully.

“Well?” Daisy leaned in, her eyes wide. “What do you see?”

Celeste’s brow furrowed. “I see... I see...” Suddenly, her eyes went wide, and she let out a yelp. “I see myself chasing a dozen little wolf pups around the café! They’re running amok, knocking over tables and chairs!”

Molly clapped her hands in delight. “A dozen? My, my, you and Kade are going to be busy.”

Ellie and Daisy exchanged a glance, then burst out laughing. The image of Celeste, usually so poised and put-together, chasing a pack of unruly wolf pups was too much.

As the laughter died down, Ellie reached for a cookie herself. “All right, my turn. Let’s see what the future holds.”

She took a bite, letting the buttery flavor melt on her tongue. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a flicker, a flash of an image.

She saw herself and Reed, hands clasped, faces glowing with love. They were standing in front of a small cottage, a sold sign planted in the lush front garden.

Ellie blinked, the vision fading. A slow, wonderstruck smile spread across her face.

“Well?” Celeste prompted, leaning forward. “What did you see?”

Ellie looked around at her friends, at these women who had become her family. Her heart felt full to bursting, brimming with love and hope and the promise of a future she’d once thought lost.

“I saw... happiness,” she said softly. “Pure, unfiltered happiness.”

Molly reached for the plate of cookies. “I think it’s Daisy’s turn for a glimpse into the future.”

Daisy, her cheeks already flushed from the cocktails, grabbed a cookie with gusto. She took a giant bite, chewing with exaggerated relish.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, Daisy’s eyes went wide, her jaw dropping open. “Oh. My. Ghosts.”

Ellie leaned forward, excitement thrumming through her veins. “What? What do you see?”

Daisy blinked rapidly as if trying to clear her vision. “I see myself... I’m in the Phantasm Pharmacy... but it’s different. It’s bigger, brighter... and there’s a line out the door!”

Molly clapped her hands, bouncing in her seat. “Ooh, business is booming!”

“Wait, there’s more.” Daisy held up a hand, her brow furrowed in concentration. “I’m behind the counter, and I’m... I’m wearing a crown? No, wait, it’s a tiara... made of ectoplasm?”

Celeste snorted, nearly spitting out her cocktail. “A tiara? What, are you the Ghost Queen now?”

Daisy’s eyes suddenly flew open, a look of horror dawning on her face. “Oh no. Oh no, no, no. The ghosts... they’re calling me... they’re calling me the ‘Ectoplasmic Empress’!”

The room exploded with laughter, Ellie and Celeste collapsing against each other in a fit of giggles. Molly, tears streaming down her face, reached over and patted Daisy’s knee. “All hail the Ectoplasmic Empress!”

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