Page 2 of Hex and the Kitty

She spun around to find the piping bag hovering midair, quivering with mischievous energy.

“Get back here!” She lunged for it, missing as the bag zipped past her ear.

It swooped through the kitchen like a caffeinated bumblebee, squirting mocha frosting across the shelves, walls, and ceiling. Rich coffee scent filled the air as Molly chased after it, arms outstretched.

“This isn’t funny!” she called out, though part of her wanted to laugh at the absurdity.

Her phone rang again. She snatched it up, breathless. “What?”

“You sound stressed,” Daisy chirped. “Need help with those cupcakes?”

“Unless you can wrangle a possessed frosting bag, no.” Molly ducked as the bag darted toward her head.

“Sounds entertaining,” Daisy laughed. “But seriously, you’re staying for the whole social, right? Ellie says you always drop off your baking and disappear.”

“Because I have a business to run,” Molly protested, grabbing her wooden spoon and pointing it at the rogue frosting bag. “Settle and sweeten, that’s enough of that!”

The spoon warmed, glowing softly. The piping bag froze mid-flight, then floated down to rest in her palm.

“Was that a spell?” Daisy asked.

“My frosting was staging a rebellion.” Molly surveyed the chocolate-spattered kitchen. “Why’s everyone so insistent I stay for this particular social?”

“Because your single status is becoming legendary,” Daisy replied bluntly. “Even Jasper Moon—who’s been dead for a century—has a more active love life.”

“He’s dating the ghostly librarian from Hollow Creek,” Molly said defensively. “I can’t compete with century-old romance.”

“You could if you’d stop hiding in your bakery. Even your cupcakes have more romantic encounters than you do.”

TWO

Molly snorted. “My cupcakes don’t have trust issues.”

“All the more reason you need to stay today,” Daisy insisted. “Matchmaking isn’t just for the youngsters, you know. Forty-two is prime time for a witch.”

“I’m hanging up now,” Molly said, reaching for a towel to wipe frosting from her hair.

“Wear something pretty!” Daisy called before the line went dead.

Molly shook her head, but couldn’t suppress a small smile. Her friends meant well, even if their methods bordered on harassment.

With renewed determination, she cleaned up the mess and started fresh. Soon, two dozen perfect cupcake shells cooled on racks by the window, their chocolate-coffee aroma filling the bakery.

She piped fresh swirls of enchanted frosting onto each cake and finished with a dusting of edible silver sparkles—actual moonlight captured in sugar.

A glance at the clock shattered her moment of pride. The social started in twenty minutes.

“Crap baskets!” She raced upstairs, changed into a clean, gemstone-blue dress that brightened her eyes, and hurried back down to pack the cupcakes into special carrying trays.

“Preservation and protection,” she whispered, adding a stasis spell. The cupcakes glowed briefly before settling into a gentle shimmer.

With the trays balanced precariously, Molly nudged open the bakery door with her hip and stepped into the crisp morning air. The cobblestone streets bustled with activity as townspeople made their way to the community center.

Kade Blackwood stood in the doorway of the Lone Wolf Café, wiping his hands on a towel.

“Late as usual, Molly?” he called with a grin.

“Some things never change.”

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