Page 70 of The Neighborhood Witch

“This is important to me,” Hugo said. “Because it was important to Elizabeth. I want to make sure it continues. And I think it will go a long way to help patch things up. I’ve known Johanna for a while. I don’t want things to be awkward, especially if—”

“If what?” Alice asked.

“If whatever this is continues.”

Alice pulled back her hand and placed both hands on her hips. She gave him another glare of impending doom. She asked, “So, what is this then?”

Hugo sighed. He carefully considered his next words, knowingfull well the importance they carried. “This has been… heaven,” he replied.

Alice narrowed her eyes in a discerning, puzzled gaze. He touched both of Alice’s hands. She allowed him to hold and lift them.

“This past month and a half has meant more to me than anything you could understand. I want things to continue on our journey. I don’t want a neighborhood war to break out between two of the few people I still care about,” Hugo said.

Alice glanced down at the floor and then back toward Hugo. His mouth curled into a half smile. His eyes somber, yet hopeful. She glanced away again for a moment. She found his eyes once more and smiled.

“Okay. Okay. I’ll do this, but only for you,” she replied.

She pulled her hands away from Hugo and snapped her fingers. All the items in the kitchen returned to the places Hugo had assigned them.

Hugo wrapped his arms around Alice and pulled her closer. Alice blushed as their bodies pressed against each other. Her heart beat against his chest. He kissed her on the forehead.

“Perfect,” Hugo said as joy returned to his face.

He let go of her and marched to the kitchen, leaving her behind. Max followed. Galahad floated past Alice. It stopped and turned to face her.

“Oh, come on,” Alice said as she plodded past. “You can help too.”

Galahad circled around in excitement and followed everyone into the kitchen.

Alice stood next to Hugo. Their shoulders touched. She leaned into him. He soaked it all in—her presence, her breath, her aura. A sensation coursed through Hugo’s body. He smiled and winked at her. She placed her hand on top of his.

She tilted her head toward him and whispered into his ear, “Where do we start?”

A shiver ran down his back.

“First,” Hugo began as he analyzed the recipe. “We mix all the ingredients in the bowl.”

They read through the list and divided the items. Their hands smacked against each other as they took turns adding their assigned items to a large, glass mixing bowl.

“I didn’t realize baking was a contact sport,” Alice said.

Hugo leaned closer and whispered, “That’s what makes it fun together.” He gave a wink and then stood up straight. “Now we mix.” He focused on Alice, waiting for her to act.

“With what?” Alice surveyed the table.

“Do your thing. Mix it together,” he replied with a swirling motion of his finger.

“You said no magick.”

“Well, I assumed that’s how you mixed stuff.”

She bent down and opened a cabinet door. She pulled out a handheld mixer and stood back up. She dangled it in front of him. “You know what they say about someone who assumes. It makes an ass out of you—”

“I thought you liked my ass?” he interrupted.

“Right now, that’s questionable,” she replied as she shoved the mixer against Hugo’s chest.

He chuckled and took the mixer. He plugged it in and stirred the bowl, transforming the ingredients into dough. “Take the flour and spread some on the table.”

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