Page 101 of Witch Please

As Lucy filled the order, Maya processed Danica’s payment. “I hope she likes it here. She was so eager to get started.”

“Everything happens for a reason?” It was such a dorky thing to say that Danica regretted it immediately, but Maya nodded.

“I really think so. You want me to call him out briefly?”

She waffled. A good-morning kiss would be awesome, but she didn’t want to be needy. “Is he busy?”

To her embarrassment and the amusement of everyone waiting in line behind her, Maya shouted, “Titus! Your girlfriend’s buying breakfast. Want to see her?”

“Be right out!” he called back.

It was no more than thirty seconds, long enough for her to take back her card and step aside for the next customer, and there he was, all dressed in baker’s gear with the apron. He was dusted in flour, smelling utterly delicious.God, he’s so hot even in that hat.

“Hey, you,” he whispered, leaning down for a fast, steamy kiss.

“Morning. See you for lunch?”

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

Impossible not to be delighted with that response. “Meet me at the shop, okay? I’m giving Clem some time off. She had no choice but to cover for me while I was gone.”

Both times.

“Sounds good. See you then.” Another quick kiss, then he hurried off, the tips of his ears red, likely over the whispers and laughter from other customers.

Danica took her sandwich and coffee to go. If she jogged, she could make it by opening. She held her coffee with care and managed not to spill any of it, and at 8:59 she raced up to the front door. Nobody was waiting, as they sometimes were. Older people were often frustrated that all businesses didn’t unlock their doors at 7 a.m.

Though she didn’t usually open, she ran through the routine like clockwork. Then she ate her breakfast, savoring each bite of the flaky croissant.This could be my new normal. I see him quickly before work. Eat lunch together.That prospect didn’t feel like dating so much as entwining their lives, like trees that grew together from separate entities to one beautifully enlaced whole. Dreamily, Danica sipped at her coffee. Perfect, as always. But before she dove into the day’s repair work, she sent the promised message on group chat.

I promised to host a mixer. My friends, his friends. Just need to know what night is good for everyone. LMK!

***

It took a couple of weeks for everyone’s schedules to align, but after some back-and-forth, Titus hammered out the details with Danica.

He’d never done anything remotely like this. Never been in a relationship solid enough where his partner wanted to meet all his friends. In the meantime, he’d baked two batches of cookies for her cousin, and he’d bring these gorgeous red velvet cupcakes to the party later. He tweaked the decorations on top, regarding them with a critical eye.More red sprinkles? No, they look perfect.Sometimes he opted for red sugar dusted on top instead, but that had more of a Christmas vibe.

The best thing about his friends was thatnoneof them would rib him about showing up to a get-together with dessert. He was picking Trevor up in half an hour. Maya had said she might stop by, though technically she was his sister, not his friend. Arguably, since they had grown closer since Mom passed, she could be considered both. It was more likely, however, that she’d hang out with Lucy. She’d said she was inviting her girlfriend, Keshondra, over for dinner. Hopefully, she arrived before Titus headed out. That way he could meet her without it being awkward.

As luck would have it, a silver Honda Brio pulled into the drive as he opened the front door. The pretty Black woman he’d spotted outside the bakery hopped out. He didn’t know the protocol, but he didn’t want to make her nervous, so he smiled.

“Hey, I’m Titus, Maya’s brother. Good to meet you.”

Are we supposed to shake hands or what? A hug would be too much.

“Likewise.” Thankfully, she solved the issue by offering her hand, and they shook politely.

Whew, level cleared.

“Maya’s inside, go on in. I’m heading out now, but I left cupcakes in the kitchen for later. Hope you enjoy them!”

“Are you kidding? I’m obsessed with your desserts. That’s how I met your sister.” Keshondra’s brown eyes sparkled. “I have no idea how she stays fit working with you.”

“I’d say she has good genes, but that might come across as self-congratulatory since I share them.”

She laughed. “Okay, I like you.”

Titus waved as he set the box of treats carefully on the passenger-side floor. He’d learned the hard way—deer in the street, pastries slammed to pieces—not to leave anything delicate on the seat. Doris wagged her tail hopefully, and Maya came to make sure she didn’t chase him down the road. As he backed out of the drive, she kissed Keshondra and tugged the other woman into the house.

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