Page 63 of The Neighborhood Witch

“Although, I guess a broomstick and a fireplace don’t necessarily go together.” They laughed. “Everything go okay with Ez today?”

There was a pause. Alice closed her eyes. “Why do you like me?”

Hugo took a sip before answering. “Is this another test? I was warned by you… well, your reflection… that there are always tests.”

“No test.” She opened her eyes. Her head slid down his chest as she repositioned herself to lay in his lap. She wanted a better view of his eyes. “I want to know. Why do you like me?”

“Well…” Hugo failed to continue in that moment. “You’re optimistic. Compassionate. You’re fun to be around.”

“It feels like you’re holding back. Tell me.”

“Sexy…”

“That goes without saying.”

Hugo sipped his wine, then set his glass down on the end table. “Honestly?”

She locked onto his eyes. “Always.”

“You accept me with all of my faults. You know I’m broken, and you accept it.”

A tear fell down her face, and Hugo wiped it away.

“Why do you like me?”

She blinked a few times to hold back the tears welling in her eyes. “Because you defend me. I’m broken too, and yet you still accept it.You accept me for who I am, and you don’t use that to your advantage.”

Hugo smiled. “That’s us. Two perfectly broken people.” He bent down and kissed her on the forehead. “So, how do you change the channel on this fireplace?”

Chapter 16

The Unusual Table

Red ribbons adorned the tops of green wreaths that decorated every lamp post. Orangish-white lights illuminated the town center. Holiday shoppers entered and exited the stores carrying brightly colored packages and bags. A light snow fell on the area, enough to cover the ground and provide a festive touch to the surrounding buildings. A stark contrast to the foreboding, nighttime sky above as the clouds swirled and stewed, and the snow fell.

Hugo and Alice strolled in unison down the sidewalk. Their pair of steps left temporary impressions in the blanket of snow. She wrapped her arm around his torso, leaning into him. Her head and brimmed wool hat rested on his shoulder. Hugo was between her and the traffic on the streets. His arm wrapped around Alice’s body, drawing her closer to him. They received the occasional odd glance, but were mostly greeted by smiling, welcoming faces.

They continued through the town center until they arrived at their destination, Antonio’s Italian Ristorante. They hesitated outside the door and below the red, green, and white awning. Their colors matched the festive atmosphere in the town.

“Are you sure about this?” Alice asked. She lifted her head and found his eyes. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to. We can always go someplace else.”

His gaze focused on the table in the window’s corner. Empty. Waiting. He responded, “I’m sure.”

He paused for a moment to gather the courage. He wanted to continue.

He smiled at Alice to remove the worry from her face. The fear faded as she smiled back. He opened the door, motioned with his head, and held it.

“Ladies first,” he said as he waved her to go in.

Alice entered with a smile, her nose turned up to the sky. He followed behind.

Antonio’s Italian Ristorante bustled with activity. People ate dinner as the night settled. Hugo and Alice approached the host standing at a podium.

“Hello, and welcome back to Antonio’s Italian Ristorante. How many will be joining you tonight?” the host asked.

“Umm, just the two of us. Reservation under Dodds,” Hugo replied. “The usual table this time, please.”

“Right this way,” the host said as he grabbed two menus.

---