Page 47 of Upside Down Magic

Ijoined him at the door.Tomy surprise,Dorseywasn’t right outside, trying to listen in, but waiting at the bottom of the stairs ready to ambush me.

“Avery,” she snapped.

Ilifted a hand in warning. “Ican’t talk aboutCouncilbusiness.”

“Whatever.WhyamInot in theChristmasevent?”

OhgoodMotherEarth. “Inthe event?”

Shestomped her foot impatiently. “Yes!Theevent!Areyou hard of hearing now?”

“I’llgo get the car,”Iansaid before abandoning me like the traitor that he was.

Dorseyput one of her gnarled claws on my arm and dragged me down the hallway to the back door.

“Well?Whatdo you have to say for yourself,Avery?” she asked impatiently. “Whereis my event invitation?”

“Butyou’re not a store.”

“So?I’mstill a business!I’mpart of thePBOAjust as you are.”

Iopened my mouth, then closed it, then opened it again. “Butthis is not aPBOAevent.”

“DoesSoniaknow you’re intentionally leaving businesses out?”

“I’mnot doing such a thing!”Although, to be fair,Itotally was.Butreally, when hadDorseyindicated any kind of interest in my affairs?Shestill hadn’t paid for the tea she had run off with whenIfirst opened the shop!

“Good.ThenI’min.Ithink theB’n’Bwill be a great spot for the trading stage.”

Uh… “Whattrading stage?”

“Iwas thinking, see, that this sticker thing needs to change.”

“Changehow?”

“Youshould make some stickers rarer than others.”Shelicked her lips. “Makepeople fight for them.Thenthey can trade them in here, for a fee, of course.”

“It’saChristmasevent,Ms.Dorsey, not a card-trading game.”

“And?Nothingwrong with a little competition.Keepthat in mind.”

Ishuffled toward the front door. “Iwill.”Absolutelynot.

“Good,”Dorseysaid, satisfied. “Oh, andAvery?”

“Yes?”Iasked warily.Ihad made it halfway to the door—escape was so close!

“Ialso want in theSecretSanta.”

Imumbled my agreement and made my escape.Ianhad theSUVready to go, soIhoisted myself inside and told him to drive beforeDorseyran out of the bed and breakfast to invite herself to ourChristmasdinner.

“Thatbad?” he asked.

“Didyou know we’re doing aSecretSantathis year?”

Hischest rumbled with laughter. “Weare?”

“Oh, you’re definitely in this with me now,”Isaid gleefully. “Sinceyou’re not participating in the other event, you’ll be in charge of dealing with this one.”

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