Page 4 of Hex and the Kitty

THREE

Molly’s mouth fell open. The spelled frosting never lied—it reflected true feelings, not superficial interest. And right now, it was broadcasting Warrick Shaw’s apparent attraction to her across the entire center.

Her stomach swooped like she’d missed a step going downstairs. The frosting glowed so brightly it might as well have been screaming, “The fire chief thinks the baker is hot stuff!”

His eyes widened as he glanced down at his chest, a flash of surprise—and something that looked suspiciously like confirmation—crossing his features. When those golden eyes met hers again, they held a heat that had nothing to do with his firefighting career.

“Well, that answers that question,” Tabitha stage-whispered from nearby.

Daisy snorted with laughter, not bothering to hide her glee. “The frosting has spoken!”

“I am so sorry,” Molly stammered, her cheeks burning. She reached out instinctively to wipe the frosting away, then hesitated, her hand hovering inches from his chest. “My frosting isn’t usually so... revealing.”

The golden glow pulsed brighter, refusing to be dismissed. The room erupted into good-natured laughter.

“That’s quite a party trick, Ms. Hues,” Warrick said, his voice a touch huskier than before. A hint of color had risen to his tanned cheeks, but he didn’t look displeased—just slightly embarrassed at having his interest broadcast so publicly.

“Molly, please,” she insisted, fighting the urge to fan her face. “And it wasn’t supposed to be so obvious. The enchantment got a little enthusiastic this morning.”

Like her heart rate right now, which refused to slow down despite her best efforts.

From across the room, Elsie Blackwood—Whispering Pines’ notorious matchmaker—nodded approvingly. “That’s the strongest reaction I’ve seen from moon-frosting in decades,” she announced to no one in particular.

Molly caught her exchanging a significant look with Celeste, and groaned internally. Tomorrow, the entire town would be discussing the baker and the fire chief.

“Let me help you with those,” Warrick offered, smoothly taking the heavy trays from her arms despite the glowing evidence of attraction still stuck to his uniform. His fingers brushed against hers during the transfer, sending electric tingles up her arms that had nothing to do with magic and everything to do with the intensity of his gaze.

“Thank you,” Molly said, flexing her tired fingers, trying to ignore how her skin still tingled where he’d touched her. “And again, I’m sorry about your uniform.”

He shrugged, the movement highlighting his broad shoulders. “Hazards of the job. Though usually it’s ash, not magic frosting.”

The corner of his mouth quirked up again, revealing an unexpected hint of humor behind that serious exterior. Something warm bloomed in Molly’s chest at the sight.

Stop it, she scolded herself.One magical mishap doesn’t mean anything.

But as Warrick carried the cupcake trays to the dessert table, she couldn’t help noticing how gracefully he moved for such a large man. Or how his uniform fit perfectly across those shoulders. Or how the sunlight caught in his dark hair, highlighting strands of silver at his temples.

Whispers rippled through the crowd. Small clusters of people gathered, shooting speculative glances between Molly and the chief.

“That,” Daisy declared, appearing at Molly’s side, “was spectacular. When’s the wedding?”

“Very funny,” Molly hissed, straightening her dress. “I know you all planned this.”

“Please,” Ellie joined them, her hazel eyes dancing with amusement, “we merely facilitated the introduction. The frosting did all the heavy lifting.”

“That frosting ought to be classified as a truth serum,” Tabitha added, peering across the room at Warrick. “Though I must say, your taste is impeccable.”

“I have no taste,” Molly protested. “I mean, I wasn’t even looking?—”

“The frosting never lies,” all three women said in unison, then burst into laughter.

FOUR

“My frosting malfunctioned,” Molly insisted, though her eyes drifted to where Warrick now stood talking with Sheriff Reed. “It’s been a chaotic morning.”

“Chaotic enough that your magic revealed what you’re trying to ignore?” Daisy raised a knowing eyebrow. “Face it, Molly—the universe just gave you a very obvious sign. That man is interested.”

“And gorgeous,” Tabitha added helpfully.

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