Page 32 of The Incubus's Angel
“Who knew Lucille could move like that?” I ask, still breathless from trying to keep up with the older lady’s dance moves.
Tilly stares at Lucille, her mouth pulling into an impressed line. “She’s very sprightly for a human her age.”
Calixta props an elbow on the counter and leans forward for a better look at the exuberant group on the dance floor. “Never underestimate a passionate creature. Lucille usedto go line dancing with Lochan before he passed. Those two were quite the pair.”
On the other side of me, Doc Calla hoists herself up onto a chair. “It’s been a long time since Lucille has gone dancing. Since we’ve all gone dancing. You have no idea how much this means to us. Thank you for organizing this, Maisie and Marisol.”
Marisol ducks her head in acknowledgment and brushes her hair behind her ears. “It was all Maisie’s idea. Just glad I could help with hosting.”
I shake a warning finger at Marisol. “Oh, no. I’m not taking the credit for this. I only suggested Ladies’ Night. You basically ran with the idea and now it’s turned into so much more.”
We may have started off the night with one or two songs, but thanks to them being such crowd favorites, everyone joined in and sang along—okay, shouted along. This turned into ladies flooding to the dance floor, some even getting on tables, which later became line dancing under Lucille’s skillful tutelage.
I totally underestimated the elderly bookstore owner. And for someone who hates being misunderstood, I’m kicking myself now. It’s my new mission to make more of an effort to get to know Starry Hill’s residents, and I’ll be starting at The Dancing Daisy to get to know Lucille better.
Doc Calla takes my hand and reaches across the counter for Marisol’s, her large earrings swinging with the motion. “Both of you worked hard to bring us all together and I want you to know we appreciate you. Annamae, Lucille, and I had so much fun getting ready together. This really is a special event and perhaps we should look into doing this more frequently.”
Marisol’s gaze turns soft, grateful. “Thank you for coming. We’d love to organize more events like this. We can do themed nights too.”
Excitement bubbles through me and my mind starts racing with ideas of themes and coordinating treats and drinks, imagining all the decorations we can cram into The Singing Seahorse.
What if we have a Halloween night? Maybe it could even spill into the rest of the town? Get everyone involved and dressed up. This time including the guys too.
I can just see the old pub transformed into a spooky paradise with decorations in purple, orange, and black. We can have floating candles, and Aunt Annamae can do creepy vines and black roses. I can make mini cakes shaped like pumpkins with swirls of cinnamon, and…
Tilly taps the counter excitedly and leans forward to place a hand on her mother-in-law’s forearm. “Ma, you should taste these mojito cupcakes Maisie made us today. It was the best thing I’veevertasted.” A second after the sentence is out of Tilly’s mouth, her eyes round and her entire face flames.
Calixta snorts a laugh and drawls, “You sure about that?”
Beryl buries her face in her hands and groans.
My gaze hops between everyone, trying to figure out what’s going on.
On my other side, Doc Calla presses her lips together, the edges quivering with suppressed laughter.
I finally settle on Marisol, giving her a what-the-fuck-is-going-on look. The isn’t-it-obvious arch to her brow helps me finally click that this is a sexual reference.
Oh. Oooh. Does that mean Bodin has flavored cum? Do all creatures have different flavored cum? What would Ren’s taste like?
Doc Calla clears her throat and we all quickly pretend nothing happened. Except Tilly—she’s still inspecting her toes. And Calixta, who’s elbowing Tilly’s side with silent laughter shaking her shoulders.
“Talking about cupcakes,” Doc Calla says, her large hazel eyes rounding intentionally as she looks at me. “I was meaning to talk to you tonight. I was wondering if you’d be interested in making a birthday cake?”
I nod eagerly. “I’d love to. Whose birthday is it?”
Looking shy for the first time ever, Doc Calla answers, “Mine.”
I take out my mental notepad to flip through cakes she’s bought from The Flowering Teapot. “Sure. What flavors do you like?”
Tilly tuts playfully. “What Ma means to say is that it needs to be quite a substantial cake. It’s going to be a huge party because my darling mother-in-law is turning one hundred and the whole island is invited. Plus she’s inviting some creatures from Cape Easton too.”
My eyes almost bulge out of my head. “Oh.” This is a big deal. This is huge. This can be career defining. Baking a cake for who I consider to be Starry Hill’s matriarch on such a big occasion would be the honor of a lifetime. I can’t wait to tell Ren! I just know he’s going to be so happy for me.
Before I go flying off the chair and hug Doc Calla for even considering me, I contain my excitement and only allow my toesto tap inside my shoes while my heart pounds away at a mile a minute.
Misunderstanding my reaction, Doc Calla is quick to reassure me. “I talked to Annamae and Richard already and they said they’d be happy to take care of the other baked goods, but I wanted to talk toyouabout the cake. The one you made for Tilly and Bodin’s claiming ceremony was so special and I was hoping you’d be interested in making something for me too.”
My whole body tingles and my heart feels full that I’m actually getting the opportunity to live my dream.
