Page 15 of Love By the Book
“Trust me, one bite and you'll plot your way to marrying into the family just for the recipe. Unfortunately, Ethan is an only child.”
“A shame,” Eli whispers, like it’s a secret joke just betweenthe two of us. My heart flutters and I find myself in the strange position of being at a loss for words.
Our energetic vibrations brush together, soft and electric, like the crackle of static before a storm. His aura mingles with mine in that quiet, unmistakable way that happens when two energies align just a little too well.
But it doesn’t matter.
It doesn’t.
I’m the matchmaker. And I’ll find someone who sparks with him even better. Someone open. Someone brave. Someone who doesn’t flinch at the thought of love.
I’m about to pray desperately for any intervention when, as if on cue, Ethan emerges from the back, his apron flour-dusted. His eyes light up when they land on me. “Rhianna! And you must be the newest resident. Eli, right?”
Eli shakes his hand and there’s a little spark of magic recognition—the tiniest flicker that passes between magical beings. It’s like a secret handshake, but with more sparkle and less awkward finger movements. I notice the moment Eli realizes he’s shaking hands with a shifter—when the magic becomes apparent. His eyes widen slightly but to his credit, his smile doesn’t falter, and he only bobs his head.
We settle into a cozy booth, and I pull out my new notebook. I’ve already covered it with stickers of books and cats, because apparently, I never outgrew my middle school aesthetic. I flip it open to reveal a list of names that would make Santa’s naughty-or-nice roster look brief. My head hurts from the brainstorming—and from the mental gymnastics I’ve been doing to avoid considering the one name that keeps popping up anyway: mine.
“All right, let’s get down to business.” I tap my pen against the page. “I have several suggestions that would make Cupid himself jealous.”
Before Eli can respond, a familiar voice cuts through the air like a sugar-coated knife.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t our love guru and the town’s newest resident.” Zoe saunters over, carrying two glasses of milk and a plate piled with gooey, icing-dripping cinnamon rolls. “Or is this a date? Please tell me before Mia. She’d be so jealous if I brought the tea home first!”
She’s twisted her purple highlights into what can only be described as a pastry-chef-chic messy bun, and her apron looks like it’s been through a sprinkle-war and back. Typical Zoe. I grin.
“Zoe! Do you have no filter? This is my new coworker, Eli. I had to introduce him to The Whisk’s cinnamon rolls.”
“Zero filter.” She winks at Eli as she slides the pastries between us. “coworker, sure. You’re in for a treat, newbie. These rolls are so good they’ve been known to cause people to fall instantly in love.”
Heat spools across my cheeks. It would really not hurt my feelings if this town could get a little less interested in my romantic life. I’m about to interject when Eli, charming smile in place, replies, “Love-inducing pastries? I knew I should have read the fine print better before moving to Magnolia Cove. Is there a return policy on small-town magic, or am I stuck here forever?”
Zoe laughs. “Oh, let’s hang onto this one, Rhianna. He can keep up.”
I shrug. “It looks like you’re stuck here now. Sorry, Eli, I don’t make the rules.”
“Damn.” His eyes are a different color in every single light and that’s the only reason I’m staring at them so intensely.
Zoe smirks at me, and I clear my throat and grab for the glass of milk. I don’t even like milk, really, I just need something to do with my hands.
“Well, I think the pastry case needs to be cleaned.” Zoecontinues grinning like a cat that found a dish full of cream. “Let me know if you need anything else, Sugar.”
“Thanks,” Eli says, either missing the silent conversation Zoe was burning into me with her eyes or choosing to politely ignore it. He leans forward. “Before we dive in”—and I don’t know if he means the food or the conversation—“can you tell me about the Blue Moon Festival I keep hearing about? Something about an Elvis impersonation contest?”
Oh for the love of moon pies. Of all the things for him to experience as his first major Magnolia Cove event it would be the corniest one of the year. Well, maybe they’re all corny. “Ah, yes, the festival. There may or may not be an Elvis theme.”
“May or may not be? That’s cryptic. Are you preserving the mystery or denying your involvement in said festival?”
I snort. “Oh, there’s no denying it. If you were born here, or even visited at the right times of year, you’ve attended the Blue Moon Festival. Elvis has as much of a starring role as the moon itself, if not more.”
“Well, The King is classic for a reason. His music is timeless.”
“His voice was timeless. His hips were timeless. His songwriting? Nonexistent.”
Eli’s eyebrows shoot up. “Ouch. Tell me how you really feel about Elvis.”
I lean in and lower my voice conspiratorially. "Let's just say if I had to choose between listening toLove Me Tenderon repeat or dealing with an overtired toddler and a melted popsicle, hand me the diaper bag.”
Eli grins. He hasn’t looked away from me for so long it wouldn’t surprise me if a dozen other people had walked in and I’d missed them. “I guess he had great charisma and charm and loved sparkly clothing. I can see why people would be into that.”
