Page 24 of Howling for Cupcakes

A beat of silence and then the table collectively groaned at the terrible pun. Mari buried her face in Arden’s shoulder, her own shaking with mirth.

“Oh my god, that was awful,” Sera declared, chucking a wadded napkin at Lark’s head.

He caught it easily, bowing with a flourish. “Thank you, sweetheart. I’ll be here all week. Try the fried pickles, they’re divine.”

“So, wait,” Reed interjected, fighting a smile, “what happened with the evil chicken?”

“Oh, I’m getting there, hold onto your britches.” Lark dropped back into his seat, expression turning sly.

“So this devil bird’s got me cornered by the window box, and I’m thinking this is it. Death by possessed poultry. The indignity!”

Arden watched Mari completely invested in the ridiculous story.

“When who should appear like an avenging angel wielding the Hose of Justice, but Gideon Frosty Freeze himself!” Lark clutched his chest dramatically.

“I have never been so grateful to see a man in tartan pajamas and bunny slippers in my life. He turned that spray on Feathers the Furious and bam! Chicken soup for the intrepid explorer’s soul.”

Mari completely lost it, peals of laughter spilling from her lips. He loved that. Loved that she had been able to relax and enjoy the moment.

Arden slipped his arm around her waist, his thumb tracing circles against her hip. “Okay there, beautiful?”

She wiped her streaming eyes, letting her head fall to his shoulder. “More than. I haven’t had this much fun in...”

“Too damn long,” Sera supplied, raising her glass in salute. “But you’d better get used to it. This here’s just your average Tuesday here. Especially with this one,” she laughed and leaned in to kiss Lark.

“Goddess, I needed this. I feel like I haven’t laughed in years.”

Arden twined their fingers together under the table, marveling at how perfectly they fit. “Get used to it.”

Ellie then regaled them with stories of baby Asher’s antics, her and Reed playfully bickering over who could scoop him up fastest when he summoned.

“I’m telling you,” Ellie insisted, “I’ve got the advantage. Mama knows best, and Mama has magic.”

Reed snorted. “Please. Kid wants his dad, and Dad has tiger reflexes. I’ll beat you to the nursery every time.”

“Speaking of magic,” Sera interjected, arching a brow at Mari. “How’re your lessons with Luna going?”

Mari smiled, a hint of pride warming her expression. “Really well, actually. Luna and Celeste are incredible teachers. I feel like I’m finally starting to understand my own power.”

Ellie reached over to squeeze her hand. “You’ve got two of the best in your corner, Mari. And the rest of us witchy types too. We’ll make sure you can blast Victor’s smarmy ass into next week if he tries anything.”

Emotion rippled across Mari’s face too quick to catch, but Arden felt it in the minute trembling of her fingers against his. Gratitude, relief, and a tentative unfurling of confidence.

“I don’t know what I did to deserve you all,” she said thickly, “but I’ve never been more grateful.”

“Hush that talk,” Sera said firmly. “You’re one of us. And we take care of our own.”

Arden’s eyes met Mari’s, an unspoken promise passing between them. No matter what the future held, she’d never face it alone. Not anymore.

“Hey,” Celeste yelled from the front counter, “don’t you all forget girls’ night tonight.”

Mari raised her brows. “That’s tonight?”

Ellie chuckled. “Yeah. That means Reed will stay with Asher while I hang with the girls.”

“I’m starting to get jealous of all the fun you have at girls’ night,” Lark mumbled. “Why don’t we ever have a spa night with good food?”

Reed shrugged. “Because nobody wants to set it up and we’d rather sit at the brewery and drink a beer and eat burgers.”

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