Page 99 of A Little Tempting

“I’m not taming anyone,” I argue.

“No, but youaretempting him to settle down, and from what I heard? No one on campus thinks they'll ever see the day.”

“Which is the terrifying part,” I mutter.

With an understanding nod, she watches me from over the rim of her cup but doesn’t say anything else. And a speechless Finley? Well, it’s about as unnerving as a hurricane warning.

I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

* * *

Fun fact.My mom and her friends are a little crazy. They also killed it when it came to brainstorming and decorating. Give three sad women an opportunity to throw a party, and it’s all hands on deck, people.

And boy, does it show.

Finley and I arrived early to help my mom, Aunt Mia, and Aunt Kate set everything up. Aunt Kate is Finley’s mom. She’s in town with my Uncle Mack for the foreseeable future. It’s mainly to stay close and support Aunt Mia and Uncle Henry after Archer’s passing. However, I doubt they haven’t already recognized the benefits of being near their kids, too, despite raising such independent hellions. Thankfully, they have a cabin in the mountains about a half-hour from campus, so it hasn’t been too much of a headache for them to relocate.

I’m not going to lie. It's nice hanging out with everyone, and it's exactly what I need. My muscles are sore from all the lifting and decorating and icing, but it’s a good sore. A comforting sore. The kind of sore you feel from hard work. Or at least, it’s what I tell myself. I’m not stupid enough to think my bruised tailbone and sore cheek are from hanging battery-powered candles from my parents’ ceiling, but still. The distraction is nice. Really nice.

Once the glowing candles hang along the ceiling of my mom and dad’s house, I stretch my arms over my head and walk into the kitchen. Uncle Mack made a smorgasbord of Harry Potter-themed food, and Aunt Mia found a sorting hat, themed cloaks, and wands for every guest. Oh! And let’s not forget their fake British accents, the giant spider stuffed animal, and the custom dog collar Aunt Mia purchased for her German Shepard to make him look like he has three heads instead of one.

It’s corny and ridiculous, and I love it way more than I ever guessed I would.

“So, what do you think?” my mom waves her hand around, indicating the kitchen and family room turned banquet hall.

I bite back my grin. “I think you’re crazy.”

“Crazy awesome or just crazy?”

“Obviously, the answer’s crazy awesome,” Aunt Mia interjects. She wraps her arm around me and squeezes all the air from my lungs. “Thanks for giving your mom the idea to throw this party.”

“Pretty sure you can thank Reeves for this little nugget, but you’re welcome.”

“Yeah, Reeves is a real peach.” She gives me one more squeeze and lets me go. “Now, when is everyone else supposed to get here? I want some butterbeer.”

“Speak of the devils,” my dad says from the top of the second-floor stairs as the front door swings open, revealing Mav, Ophelia, Jax, Everett, Finley, and Griffin. Each of them takes turns hugging everyone and gushing about the decorations. Rory arrives a few minutes later with her dad, Henry, and their dog, Kovu. As soon as Aunt Mia sees them, she rushes toward her fluffy dog and slips on the three-headed dog collar, earning cackles from the rest of the group. Well, everyone but Rory, who’s apparently too cool for her mom’s whims.

Aunt Blakely and Uncle Theo turn up shortly after. They are in full-blown Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall attire—enough to make any fan gush—and I find myself grinning from ear to ear as I hug them.

A few minutes later, I give into my own curiosity and ask, “Where’s Reeves?” I haven’t seen him since we talked on the couch. I assumed he’d tag along with the rest of the group. But with him missing, I can’t help feeling…anxious.

“He’s coming,” Maverick answers me. “Had to wrap up a few things.”

“He’s such a cutie,” my mom adds.

“Mom.” My eyes bug at her in a silent attempt to say, “Zip it,” without actually voicing the words aloud and drawing more attention to our conversation. I may or may not have caught her up on a few things during decorating—while leaving out the jacking-off-in-the-shower portion—and she’s yet to stop grinning.

She lifts her hands in defense. “What? I’m not allowed to say he’s cute?”

“No pressure from us, babe,” Aunt Mia interjects, giving my mom a look mirroring my own.

She nods back at her best friend, then turns to me. “Aunt Mia’s right. Take your time, girlie. Seriously.”

“There’s no time to take,” I remind her, “but thanks.”

“So, who’s ready for a tour of Hogwarts?” my mom announces.

“And who’s ready for some beverages?” Aunt Kate chimes in from the kitchen. “The polyjuice potion is for adults only, but the pumpkin juice and butterbeer are kid-friendly.”

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