Page 51 of Offsides Attraction

I think leader is the term you meant to use.

“Better leave your shoes at home,” Maggie said. “Go do your seven-step skin care routine and come back over when you’re done.”

Penny rushed through her routine, and then carefully locked the apartment doors behind her. Maggie was in bed, surrounded by several piles of papers, and two steaming mugs sat on her battered nightstand. Penny grabbed a mug while Maggie stacked the piles. “Program options?” Penny asked, and Maggie glared at George.

What? If you’d wanted it to be a secret, you wouldn’t have left them on the island. I did you a favor.

During Maggie’s crisis, George had toppled a stack of bakery boot camp classes, and now Harper, Elspeth, and Penny knew her plan. “Yes, lots of options to choose from, if I decide to go. But enough about me. Tell me what’s going on with you, and I want the truth.”

Penny told her everything. From walks around Tumble Falls, to the museum opening, to when she took him to the animal shelter for the first time, to watching him work at Get Lost when she was sick, to freaking out after the last moon bath and showing up on his doorstep demanding attention.

“You really like this guy,” Maggie said, raising her arm and snapping her finger. The light extinguished. She’s been practicing. Maggie was the weakest of the witches. A few months ago, she would have needed more recovery time to magic the lights after what she’d shown Lucas in the kitchen. He’s good for her.

“I think I really do.” Penny nestled further into the bed as she heard Maggie yawn.

“But how? I mean, the chemistry between the two of you was always obvious, but you’re more discerning.” Maggie sounded as surprised by Penny’s admission as she was.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Men flock to you and Elspeth. Why pick someone arrogant and rude?”

“Flock is a gross exaggeration. And he’s not arrogant and rude, not really. Not when you get to know him. He’s reserved. And socially uncomfortable, which is why he asked me to help him.”

“But why did you agree to help your Mr. Darcy?”

“Because he’s a challenge I need to overcome. And when I do, my powers will increase.” Maggie rolled toward her.

“He’s a magical challenge? How?” George moved closer to them.

“Promise not to tell anyone?” Penny asked.

“Yes.”

Get the knives and do a blood oath.

“What is wrong with you?” Maggie asked George. “Seriously, only PBS Kids from now on. Jeez, you’re a piece of work.”

Piece of work. Cat. Both the same. He shrugged his furry shoulders.

Maggie groaned at the cat and asked, “What did I just promise not to tell?”

“That when I first met Bash, I could read him. I didn’t dive into his thoughts, but I could read his mood, which was always dark and anxious and nervous.”

“So? That’s your gift.”

“But then one day I panicked, and I kissed him—”

“You kissed him?”

“Yes, to scare him off, and poof, it all vanished.”

“What vanished?” Maggie asked.

“My gift. I couldn’t read him.”

“You kissed him and then you couldn’t read him?”

“Yes.” Penny relaxed. It felt good to tell someone. Someone who would understand the importance of this and support her in the challenge. She felt the bed shake and then Maggie snorted. Is she laughing at me?

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