Page 5 of Hex and the Kitty

“And single,” Ellie supplied.

“And watching you right now,” Daisy whispered.

Molly’s head snapped up. Sure enough, Warrick’s golden gaze met hers across the room. He didn’t look away, and neither did she, caught in a moment that seemed to stretch between them despite the crowded hall.

Her heart performed an entirely unnecessary flip.

“Ladies,” Celeste appeared, grinning triumphantly, “I believe our work here is done. For now.”

“This isn’t over,” Molly warned even as warmth spread through her chest at the memory of those golden eyes. “My love life is not a community project.”

“Of course not,” Celeste patted her arm. “It’s a communitypriority. Now go arrange your magical cupcakes while we plan our next move.”

As her friends drifted away, still plotting, Molly smoothed her dress and took a deep breath. She moved to the dessert table, arranging her Moonlight Mocha cupcakes with care.

“They look delicious.”

She jumped at the deep voice behind her. Warrick stood there, the frosting stain on his uniform still faintly glowing.

“Thank you,” she replied, suddenly tongue-tied. Up close, she could see the subtle shift of amber and gold in his eyes—tiger eyes, mesmerizing and ancient. “They’re—um—they’re infused with a connection spell. Usually much subtler than what you experienced.”

He grinned. “I don’t mind.” He held her gaze for a moment longer than necessary. “Though next time, perhaps we could discover our connection over coffee instead of wearing it.”

Molly’s breath caught. “Are you asking me out, Fire Chief?”

“Warrick, please,” he corrected, mimicking her earlier words. “And yes, I believe I am. Unless the frosting was wrong?”

The directness of his question surprised her. No games, no hesitation—just straightforward interest.

Before she could answer, Sheriff Reed called Warrick’s name from across the room.

“Duty calls,” he said, regret flashing across his features. “But I’d like an answer when you’re ready.”

He turned to leave, then paused, looking back at her with those golden eyes. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think the frosting malfunctioned at all.”

Then he was gone, moving through the crowd with that fluid grace that marked him as a shifter.

Molly stood frozen, her heart racing, unable to process what had just happened. From chaotic morning to embarrassing collision to... a date offer?

She glanced down at her cupcakes, their enchanted frosting gleaming innocently on the display. The Moonlight Mocha’s magic had certainly worked today—just not in the way she’d expected.

Across the room, she caught Celeste, Daisy, Ellie, and Tabitha watching her, all wearing identical expressions of smug satisfaction.

What had started as a chaotic morning had somehow transformed into the beginning of something unexpected. Something that made her pulse quicken and her magic spark.

And despite herself, Molly couldn’t wait to see where it might lead.

FIVE

Warrick Shaw paused outside the Lone Wolf Café, studying the carved wooden sign depicting a stylized wolf paw. Morning sunlight caught the silver strands at his temples as he reached for the door handle. His mind drifted to last night—the banner falling, being tangled against Molly Hues, her green eyes wide with surprise, and that damned frosting revealing what he’d tried to hide.

“Focus,” he muttered to himself. “Coffee, not redheads.”

The aroma of fresh-brewed coffee and baked goods enveloped him as he stepped inside. Conversation stilled momentarily. The café’s interior matched its quaint exterior—warm and rustic with mismatched wooden furniture and softly glowing lanterns casting a cozy ambiance despite the morning light streaming through the windows.

A silver-haired woman sitting near the window waved enthusiastically. “Fire Chief, good morning.”

Warrick recognized Elsie Blackwood, Kade’s mother and notorious matchmaker according to town gossip. Before he could respond, a young man carrying a to-go cup nudged him.

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