Page 105 of De-Witched

“Tia’s not exactly rational when it comes to Henry.” Emma gnawed her bottom lip. “But he’s Bastian’s friend. Puts me in an awkward situation.”

“Whereas it’s fine for the human to kick the all-powerful warlock out?”

Emma just shrugged.

“Fine. I’ll go over there. But you owe me.”

“I’ll pick up extra shifts volunteering this week.”

“Done.” Leah looked back at the booth. “Seriously, what do you think they’re talking about?”

“What song they’re going to sing together?”

Leah let out a snort of laughter as Take That man finally finished and the next ballad cued up for a drunken twosome. She’d heard the friends arguing about whether to brave the stage or not earlier. Now, three drinks in and buzz firmly on, they wrapped their arms around each other’s waists and belted out an Adele number.

Emma winced, tried to hide it. “I never get why anyone would do that,” she commented. “Even drunk.”

Leah nudged her hip against the bar as an idea formed. She considered the men, then turned to her friend. “I bet I could get Gabriel up there.”

Emma scoffed. “Not even you can get Gabriel Goodnight to do karaoke.”

“All I’ll have to do is ask. He’s a marshmallow when he cares about someone.”

“I don’t believe it.”

“Bet you a dollar.”

“A dollar?”

“And whoever loses has to kick Henry out.”

Emma’s gaze was full of pity. “You’re biting off more than you can chew.”

“Have you ever known me to fail?”

Doubt flickered briefly before she nodded. “No, I’m calling it. There’s no way. We have a bet.”

They soberly shook hands.

Leah reached up, tugged the band out of her hair so her curls fell loose across her shoulders. She slipped the band over her wrist and shot a cocky grin at Emma. “Watch the master work.”

“Uh-huh.”

With Emma’s skepticism powering her, Leah moved around the counter toward the booth. Purpose drove her steps. It might seem like a bit of silliness, but for Leah, it began and ended with revealing Gabriel’s sweet side. While her friends had accepted she was sleeping with him, they didn’t like him. And worse, Gabriel didn’t expect any different.

After the story he’d told her a couple of nights ago, she understood why he kept himself apart; he was used to being judged or rejected. Better to reject everyone first, to act like you didn’t care.

She refused to leave it like that. He deserved to be seen for all his facets. Especially when she was...gone.

Emma would be the first domino to topple in Leah’s campaign.

When he noticed her approaching, he slid out of the booth to stand. Society manners, she supposed. She couldn’t say she hated it.

“Hi, men,” she greeted, halting at Gabriel’s side. She wished she could lean into him, wrap an arm around his waist. Even though he’d assured her that he wasn’t ashamed of their relationship, she knew it wouldn’t be smart to openly claim him in front of Henry. Still, she wished.

Bastian sent her a two-fingered salute as Henry nodded in acknowledgment.

“Couldn’t stay away?” she directed at the latter in an arch tone.

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