Page 69 of Clean Out of Luck

I glance back at Ashlyn, who’s staring at her with wide eyes.

“Hey Gloria, you want to come in?” I ask.

“No, I’m not about to interrupt your girls night,” she says as she waves at the girls over my shoulder. “But you do know if you want them to come back you probably shouldn’t make them mop your floors?” she adds in a hushed whisper.

I bite my lip to keep from laughing. “Oh we just had a little spill.”

“Well, when I went to get an evening coffee, I saw you all heading downstairs together. I figured you girls might like something. I had them make some caramel mochas with an extra shot each,” Gloria says with a wink. “Girls’ nights are special, and I was so happy to see that you actually have friends.” She shoves the tray in my hand and turns to leave.

I call after her, “But Gloria! I already have you! I don’t need more friends! You’re the only friend I need!’

Gloria laughs as she walks to the elevator bank. “Of course I am.”

I close the door and set the coffees on the counter.

“Wow, I didn’t know my wishing powers were so strong,” Ashlyn says as she leans the mop against the counter and reaches for a coffee.

Wishes? She literally wished for coffee and then it appeared. I’ve had a strange number of wishes come truelately. Wishing Claire would break a heel. Wishing I could kiss Wade.

I pick up a coffee and take a long sip of the sweet drink.

The three of us stand in silence for a couple of minutes before I say, “Listen. This is going to sound so strange, so maybe it’s the coffee talking…but have you heard the rumors about The Serendipity having some kind of magic?”

“Oh yeah! That was all over our high school. Remember how everyone went on that kick of trying to kiss their crush on the front steps of The Serendipity?” Ashlyn asks.

“Please, of course I remember. That was horrible,” Lilly says as she makes a gagging sound. She was popular in high school, and it seemed like everyone pursued Lilly, much to her great frustration.

Ashlyn smirks. “It’s where I kissed Carson for the first time.”

“Do you think any of that could be true?” I clutch the coffee cup, realizing how ridiculous my words sound.

“Wait, you mean like the building is actually magical?” Ashlyn asks with a gasp.

I shrug noncommittally. “It’s weird because I’ve had a few things happen lately…things I’ve wished would happen, come true. And not just in the building—but while I’m mopping!”

Lilly laughs in disbelief. “Couldn’t it just be a coincidence?”

“Definitely.” I take a loud sip of coffee.

Ashlyn sets down her cup and picks up the mop. “I did wish for the coffee while I was mopping. Maybe we should all try it and then see if our wishes come true.”

The three of us giggle like we’re school girls. “It’s a great test.”

Ashlyn holds the mop. “I wish that my baby would sleep through the night.” She passes it to me. “Your turn.”

I hold the mop and try to think of an innocuous wish. “Iwish Claire at work would do something nice for a change.” I pass the mop to Lilly.

Lilly clutches the mop and makes a nervous face as she glances between us. “I wish Phoenix Fernsby would get his head—” she pauses and clears her throat. “I wish Phoenix would ask me out.”

We both grin. Ashlyn and I have known about Lilly’s crush on my brother, and it’s been a long time coming. Maybe when he gets home from Boston, he’ll see things with fresh eyes.

“So what wish did you make when it came true?” Lilly asks.

“I wished I could kiss Wade.”

My kitchen is filled with shrieks and demands to explain myself and I’m so happy I have friends like these.

Chapter Twenty-Two

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