Page 13 of Magic and Muffins

Cross sent a text back to the group.

Moments later, my phone dinged with a different group message from Vena to Piper and Robyn, our college friends currently summering in Europe.

Vena: Hey, Piper and Robyn. Haven’t seen you in forever. How’s Europe so far? Where have you been?

I rolled my eyes, seeing through the motivation behind Vena’s message. Even if Piper and Robyn had been to the places mentioned in the book, would they even know what a portal looked like or how to find it? No. And even if they did, I wouldn’t put them in danger by asking them to search for something Vena’s grandparents had tried to find.

Annoyed, I sent Vena a private message.

Me: Don’t you dare use our friends to search for clues.

Vena: It’s like you don’t even know me. I would never use my friends like that.

Me: Like when you used a friend to investigate a lead on a fairy hoard under the ruse of a hike?

Vena: I’ve reformed. Did I tell you I love you and have put our name on the waitlist for Enticed?

Me: *eye roll emoji* Why a waitlist?

Vena: They’re booking out a few months. Sorry, bestie. I know you wanted to taste-test sooner for the bakery. But I’m honoring my promise.

I snorted and pocketed my phone. When I looked at the guys, they were both watching me with amused expressions.

“Vena?” Cross asked.

“Yes. We have friends in Europe. She asked them where they’ve been, and I warned her not to use our friends to hunt for clues.”

“Like she used you to search for treasure?” Cross asked.

“Exactly!”

He and Shepard chuckled.

“I remember when you showed up to work with that scratch on your cheek,” Shepard said.

“Same,” I said. “I thought I was in trouble.”

“Never.”

I smiled. “I’ll remind you of that when Vena gets a call back from the Night Club.”

Shepard’s humor faded.

“What are your plans for the rest of the day?” I asked to distract him.

“Spend some time with you in between whatever calls I get.”

“Did you want to go somewhere or do something?” I asked.

He leaned back in his chair. “Actually, it’s nice here. And I enjoy watching you in the kitchen.” He held up his hands quickly. “I’m not being sexist or anything. You just look really happy right now. It’s nice.”

I smiled at him and started wiping down the next emptied cupboard.

“I’m happy because I’m doing something I love…well, not cleaning the cabinets. And serving drinks at Blur was fun and rewarding, but it’s not baking. There’s something gratifying about creating confectionery that makes a person moan as soon as they put it in their mouth.”

Shepard made a choked sound. I turned to see Shepard with a beet-red face. Cross had a hand covering his mouth, but I could see the humor in his gaze.

“I’m glad Vena wasn’t here for that,” I mumbled.

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