Page 13 of Upside Down Magic

“Leavea message,”Hutton’scold, curt prerecorded voice said in my ear.

Ipatted myVespain greeting, then opened the back gate. “It’sHope.Callme immediately, and donotcome to the shop?—”

Mywords trailed off asItook inAlexandShane,Ian’sshifter strays, taking a plastic-wrapped, comfy-looking, pastel green sofa out ofCavalierRepairs&Renovations’ white van.

Iended the call, pocketed the phone, and gaped at them. “Whatare you guys doing?”

Alexgrinned. “Presentfrom the boss, boss.”

“FromIan?”Iall but squealed.

“Yep,” saidShane, taking a better hold of his end of the sofa. “Keepthe door open for us?”

“Ofcourse.”Istepped back and held the gate open, watching in open-mouthed astonishment as they maneuvered the sofa through the opening and across the backyard.

Ianwas giving me a whole sofa?

“Needto open this one too,”Alexsaid cheerfully, nodding toward the back door of the building.

Irushed to hold it open for them as well, swallowing the emotions trying to overwhelm me.

Nobodyhad gifted me a sofa before.Nobodyhad really gifted me anything like this before.Sure, my mom and sister had sent me some kitchen stuff whenIfirst moved, but this was on another whole level.

“Goget the van,”Shanesaid once the sofa was crowding the hallway.

Alexcarefully placed his end on the floor, then ran outside to close up the van and the back gate.

“Goback to work, boss,” he said once he was back. “Wegot this.”

“Yousure?”Ieyed the steps going to the second floor. “Isit going to fit?”

Notthat it mattered, of course.Iwas keeping this sofa even if it had to stay in the middle of the hallway.

“Surewill.”Alexwinked at me. “Bossnever measures wrong.”

Igrinned. “Iguess he never does.”

Shaneshooed me away, andIreturned to the front, staring at my new beautiful sofa in awe.Oh, butIcouldn’t wait to test it withIanlater.

AlexandShaneshowed up with your present,Itexted him.BecauseifIheard his voice right now,I’dmelt into a puddle, andIstill had a curious witch to deal with.

Doyou like it?

It’sperfect.

Heanswered with a sparkling heart.Sparkling!

Lilianthe blood witch was still sitting at the counter, waiting for me.

“Goodnews?” she guessed at the obvious stars shooting out of my eyes.

“Thebest,”Ianswered dreamily.

“Youhave a good business going here, and you’re obviously capable.”

“Mmhmm.”Ah, the thingsIanandIcould get up to on that sofa.Andgreen too!Hetruly knew me like no other.

“I’mwondering?—”

---