Page 50 of Boss Witch

Trevor blinked. “I mean…maybe? Because I could get on board if you’re looking for a low-­key, no-­ambition type to look after the house. I cook and clean, do most general maintenance as well. Ask Titus, I’ve got references.”

“As a handyman, not my third husband,” Titus clarified.

Danica slipped up beside him, kissing his cheek. “Are we letting this happen?” she whispered. “Leanne may destroy him.”

“Live and let live. He looks…intrigued, which is higher energy than I’ve seen from Trev in a while.”

Some of Clem’s initial nerves settled, and she guided Gavin toward the kitchen, intending to offer him something to drink, but Titus intercepted them. She’d only spoken to the guy a few times, and he was always bringing her stuff to eat. While she didn’t get the appeal at all, she understood that Danica was serious. Likely, this dude would be joining her family. She could get with the program or end up losing her cousin entirely. While they still had shit to work out, that didn’t mean she planned to torch a lifetime of sisterhood.

So she forced a smile when Titus put a bakery box in her hands. “Here, red velvet cupcakes. Hope you like them.”

Honestly, she had no idea why his thoughtful gestures irritated her, but it came off like the kid who followed the teacher around, offering apples. Like, settle down, Timmy. We get it, you want the teacher to like you. For Clem, it was too much, and it made her itchy.

She tightened her knuckles on the box, trying to force some enthusiasm. “Okay, you win. You’ve earned my seal of approval. Love my cousin and make her happy, but stop stuffing me with treats. They’re going straight to my ass.”

“Thanks for that,” Gavin said. “I’m rather a fan.”

She nudged him. Hard.

“Of my baking or Clem’s ass?”

“Both.”

At that, Clem stifled a chuckle, trying to stem the rising tide of her nerves. She caught Priya and a few others eyeing her skeptically, but at least Titus’s friends didn’t know how critical tonight was. Then Gavin distracted her when he leaned in for a kiss that curled her toes. She laced her arms around his neck and forgot all the reasons why tonight was stressing her the fuck out. They finally broke apart, and he leaned his forehead against hers, a move that secretly made her melty on the inside.

She surveyed the scene. It seemed like everyone was staying calm. If they didn’t stress their sigils, they ought to be able to pull this off.And then he’ll get orders to leave.

That’s the endgame.

Leanne slapped her own ass and then whacked the surfer guy on his butt too. With half her brain, Clem was curious about that conversation, but since the dude wasn’t crying for help, he’d be fine. Probably. A few minutes later, she broke away from Gavin to answer the door. It was a bunch of guys she didn’t recognize, must be Titus’s friends, as Gavin only knew old people from the coffee klatch. It’d be funny if Leonard, Howard, and Gladys showed up, though.

It surprised her when Titus stepped up as a host, facilitating the mingle magic. Danica didn’t notice certain behind-­the-­scenes necessities, but the baker did. And instead of leaving it to Clem, he helped. Which…she appreciated. Titus shepherded his friends around, making intros until the groups mixed on their own. Vanessa chatted with Cal while Dante asked Margie for advice on being a single parent. Miguel seemed to be offering recipes to Ethel, and everybody had a drink in their hands.

A while later, Gavin came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her in a classic back hug. “Having fun yet?”

She closed her eyes, savoring the sensation. “I am. What about you?”

***

Gavin buried his face in Clem’s hair, breathing in the delicate scent of her shampoo.

Mmm. Yes. Fantastic.

But he spoke lightly. “Nobody’s called the constable—­cops—­on us yet, so I feel like we could do better.”

“What did you have in mind?”

“Let me think on it. I can be a bit laddish, you know.”

“Do I even want to know what that means, English?” She seemed to be teasing him, but sometimes he wasn’t sure with her.

I fucking love that.

“Dance with me,” he whispered, discarding the idea of trying to make things rowdier.

The party could fend for itself. Her friends were nice enough, the few he’d spoken with, but he hadn’t come to socialize. At some point, he had to get clear and test the premises. He still had some lingering doubt about her shop name, her surname, and this would be the quickest way to clear it up. Unless he decided to follow in his grandad’s footsteps, he still had a job to do.

“Give me five minutes. I’ll circulate and be right back.”

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