Page 35 of Brews and Banishments
Her smile could be heard over the phone. “And I love you more, Daisy.”
Daisy lowered the phone and set it back down on the receiver. Making her way back towards her bedroom, she wrapped her arms tightly around her body. A chill of excitement lingered within her still, blending alongside a constant blur of nerves. She took every last bit of it. To experience her date with Ethan, she’d take it all. Even if it did turn out to be a product of the spell that ominously loomed over her.
Tessa flung around when Daisy entered the room. A stunning red dress was held up in front of her. The bottom half came down to her knees, spreading out slightly as it tapered up towards her waist. From the waist up, the dress was form fittingand sleeveless, hugging her chin like a turtle neck. Despite its simplicity, it felt oddly scandalous, a far too attractive dress for a woman like her to wear.
Daisy blushed. “I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
“What’s inappropriate about it?” Tessa pulled it back to look over it again before shrugging. “Looksperfectto me.”
“I-I haven’t worn it in years,” Daisy said next, though her argument felt flat and Tessa obviously wasn’t buying it. “I doubt it still fits.”
“Perfect reason to try it on.”
Daisy sighed, but took the dress from her outstretched hands. Slipping within the walk-in closet, she threw off her robe and shimmied into the dress. While it felt far too snug to reach over her hips for a moment, it fit like a glove in the next. The zipper came up all the way with ease. The skirt reached her bony knees. Daisy crept out from the closet, stepping into the frame of her mirror cautiously.
“Blessed be,” Tessa breathed, a hand over her heart. “If only the world realized that women over fifty could look like you do right now.”
Daisy covered her face but peeked through her fingers as she watched herself sway in the mirror. The confidence trickled into her slowly, like the beginning of rain, before it washed over her completely, the downpour fully falling over her. Daisy had never seen herself look so beautiful.
“How fast can you do my hair and makeup?” Daisy asked.
Tessa beamed, already grabbing onto the things she needed. The next ten minutes were spent in the midst of intense concentration. Tessa worked brilliantly across Daisy’s face, leaving the makeup to a minimum while highlighting the natural beauty in her face. Her long brown hair normally flew all around her on a regular day, quite frizzy when Daisy couldn’t be bothered with it. Tessa pulled her long strands into a bun atthe back of her head, pulling a few long curls out to purposefully frame Daisy’s face shape.
By the time she was finished, Daisy stared into the mirror and wondered where that person came from. Suddenly she was a different woman, one that she never expected herself to be. Not that she meant it in a bad, vindictive way, but rather a kind of future she thought to be impossible for her. Daisy touched the side of her face as if to make sure what she saw in the mirror was truly real life.
“Tessa,” she breathed. “I’m -”
Ring! Ring! Ring!
The musical doorbell rang through the house.
Daisy flung herself away from the mirror, frantically looking up at the clock and gaping at the time. “Blessed be, he’s here!”
“Breathe, flowers,” Tessa said giddily, a wide smile on her face. “Here’s your purse!” She shoved it into her hands. “And shawl,” she added while wrapping it loosely around Daisy’s shoulders. When she was finished, Tessa gingerly held the sides of her face. “No matter what happens,” she whispered, “youdeservethis.”
Daisy beamed and left the bedroom behind her. With every step she took closer to the front door, her belly hummed with anticipatory nerves, but she merely let them push her forward. Once she reached the front door, Daisy exhaled, determined to not let this moment slip between her fingertips.
Daisy opened the door.
“Hello, Ethan.”
11
Daisy
“When people mention lawyers, they don’t normally call themnatural comedians,” Daisy said as the live pianist transitioned to another song.
Reverie was the most popular and classy restaurant in all of Willowbrook. It had opened a few years prior, and had gathered attention from outside of town. Tourists came just for the elegant experience, not entirely sure why they felt at home the moment they entered. Daisy knew the true reason quite well. Reverie was witch and warlock owned. Small spells and gentle hexes were streamed constantly into the air, leading the patrons to always be at ease and enjoy the food even more than they expected.
The Witch Council Elders found themselves to be in a moral quandary in the matter of keeping the business open or not. On one hand, Reverie happened to be manipulating the emotions and feelings of anyone who walked through their doors without their knowledge. On the other hand, Reverieoffered pleasure and happiness, lifting stress and raising spirits. Either way, thebusiness was still standing and welcoming patrons with open arms.
Ethan sat across from her, his long hair pulled behind his ears. He wore a suit, though it was more on the casual side. A flower poked out of his pocket. A shadow of peach fuzz grew along his jawline. He was ruggedly handsome, and Daisy doubted he was even aware of it.
“Well, most people don’t knowme,” Ethan teased before laughing at himself. “Let’s just say that my clients tend to find me on the amusing side.”
Daisy took a sip of her chardonnay, leaning forward curiously. “I’d love to hear about them.”
“My clients?”
