Page 8 of Witch Please

He moved to make way when he heard the engine rumble of a vintage truck, but the driver stopped on the road like Titus and his dog were an area attraction. Mr. Stevewell, the old man from the farm at the end of the road, called out to Titus’s dog like she might answer. “You’re looking good today, Doris!”

And, of course, she did—with a woof and a tail wag. Titus had adopted her a month after his mom died, and now it felt like Doris had always been with him.

“What breed is she anyway?” Mr. Stevewell asked.

“They weren’t sure, but they’re guessing Labrador and something else. I found a picture that makes me think maybe Bernese mountain dog. Look…” He paused, realizing he was like a PTA parent showing off his kid’s report card. “Sorry, you probably don’t want—”

“To see cute pictures of dogs on the internet? I’ve always got time for that!” Mr. Stevewell got out of his truck and came around to look. “Check out the ears on that girl. I agree, our Doris could be related.”

The dog had floppy ears, black fur with a white chest, a white stripe down the face, white tips on the paws, and a fantastic fluffy tail, similar enough to be Doris’s doppelganger. Puppelganger? Whatever. “They have DNA tests, but I haven’t gone that route.”

“DNA tests for dogs? Now I’ve heard everything.” Mr. Stevewell got back in his truck with a wave.

Titus continued his run.I can probably text Danica when I get home, right?

Chapter 3

Danica invoiced Sugar Daddy’s for the repair work, and Titus paid at once.

That concluded the professional portion of their relationship, but five days later, they were still texting. And shestillwasn’t sure if he was flirting. The uncertainty didn’t stop her from swapping memes with him and sending the worst jokes she could find since he seemed to have a taste for them. She decided it was totally cool to flirt with a mundane; flirting wouldn’t impact her magic or ruin her life. Whatever they were doing, it boosted her mood like good medicine and made her disregard Darryl’s noncommittal ass as if she hadn’t even dated him.

With Clem back, the shop operated like a well-oiled machine. Not that they oiled any machines. They just had to pretend they did.

Tonight, it was their turn to host book club—the cover for their coven—which meant Danica had a reason to be outside the bakery at 7:57 a.m., queuing for cinnamon rolls like a fangirl. The funny part was, she wasn’t even first in line. There were two women ahead of her, four behind, and the ones in front were nudging one another and giggling.

“Do you think we’ll see him today?”

“Probably not. But God, he’s so…” The older woman pantomimed biting her knuckles, and the other one shushed her.

She suspected they were mother and daughter, judging by the resemblance. Theory confirmed—the popularity of Sugar Daddy’s wasn’t simply because the pastries were delicious. Customers also came hoping for a glimpse of the elusive CinnaMan.

Can’t believe I told him about that nickname. What was I thinking?

She wallowed in that embarrassment for two minutes, and then promptly at eight, the same clerk as always unlocked the doors with a bright smile. Today, Danica made a point of reading her name tag, faintly embarrassed that she hadn’t done so before.

Maya, her name is Maya.

“Good morning, everyone. Come on in!”

As the first two women went inside, Danica asked, “Don’t you think we’re ridiculous, doing this for pastries?”

Maya shook her head. “Definitely not. When Titus got his driver’s license, we road tripped to Terre Haute to try those famous square donuts. And oh myGod, they are so good. The lady told me that they often sell out of the glazed ones by 9:00 a.m.”

Surreptitiously, Danica entered “Terre Haute” and “square donuts” into her phone’s browser and read things like “best donuts in the world” and “best I’ve ever had.”Huh. I should try those.As she headed for the counter, other customers looked at the display case, but she was ready to pay. She even had her wallet out.

“A dozen cinnamon rolls?” Maya guessed.

“You know me so well.” She paid in cash and waited while the clerk boxed her order.

As Maya handed over the mint-green bakery box, she lowered her voice. “I’m overstepping here, but my brother issoawkward. Titus wants to ask you out, but he can’t decide if you’d be receptive. Since I’m a good person, I’ll help. Green or red light?”

“Green,” Danica said at once, as if her mouth weren’t connected to her brain.

Slow your roll, he’s a mundane. Gram will end you. And she’shere. Nothing gets past her. Just imagine how disappointed she’ll be.

Danica waffled mentally, trying to decide if she should change her answer. But…one date would be harmless, right? No risk. Just a little fun. Self-indulgence was good for the soul every now and then. But Gram…and the promise Danica had made with Clem…

By the time Danica decided to retract her response, Maya was saying, “I’ll clue him in. Have a great day, and don’t forget us for all your sweet needs!”

---