Page 20 of Extra Witchy

“This is a better deal than I ever thought I’d get,” he said then.

“I’m glad you came around to my way of thinking. I’ve been married twice before, and each time, I thought I’d met the one. I don’t believe in that anymore, but that doesn’t mean I want to grow old alone.”

“Like your mom.”

Her eyes flashed, and she bit her lip, restraining her initial response. “Correct. When we start the next stage and you’re doing appearances with me, I’ll rely on your judgment.”

“You think I can help you? I mean, not just as a prop or set dressing, but you’re interested in my opinions too?” Surely, he’d stepped into a portal into an alternate reality at some point, because it felt so good hearing this that he couldn’t stand it.

Leanne’s bright smile took his breath away. “Definitely. We’re a team now, so I need you to stop questioning my acuity. I picked you, and that means you’re a valuable campaign asset.” She winked again and paid the bill before he could even think about getting his wallet.

It was wild. He’d never been with anyone who cared so little about his monetary situation. The idea that he could possess worth unrelated to his earning power was so foreign that he hadn’t adapted to her style yet. Hurriedly, Trev got up and rushed out the door after her.

“Thanks for lunch.”

“You drove, right?” He nodded, and she kissed his cheek then gave his butt a pat. “We’ll talk more later about the logistics. I’d start packing your stuff, though. The sooner you move in, the faster Junie will be out.”

While Leanne’s mom seemed nicer than his parents, he understood not wanting to live under the same roof. He’d been withering for years without having the wherewithal to remove himself from that situation. Until the solution appeared like magic in the form of an irresistible redhead sweeping him off his feet.

Since he was on the square already and there was time on his meter, he walked over to Sugar Daddy’s instead of going straight home. Downtown St. Claire was charming, though he rarely took advantage of the cool stuff they had going on. There would be a food festival soon, with restaurants offering samples at stalls all around the old courthouse, and he’d heard the city would be starting a community garden next year. Absently, he cataloged the minor changes: the hardware store had repainted the trim, and the Realtor had a new sign.

Hopefully, Titus had time to talk. Trev needed to tell someone, and Titus had been a loyal friend for most of their lives. Trev could admit he hadn’t made it easy the past few years. Maya was working the front counter as usual; she greeted him with a squeezy hug.

He patted her back in fraternal fashion. “All good, little Winnaker?”

“Why are you still calling me that?” she demanded.

“Habit. Can the big man come out and play?”

“I’ll ask.” She went to the galley door that led to the kitchen and cracked it enough to call, “Titus! Trev’s here. Do you have a minute?”

“Make him a coffee, and tell him I’ll be out in five,” Titus yelled back.

“I got that,” Trev said, taking a seat at the table farthest from the door.

The bakery was truly remarkable, a monument to a dream Titus had realized, thankfully before his mother passed away. Everything about the place was adorable, from the mint chocolate chip interior design to the white wrought iron tables. And the smell—he inhaled deeply to appreciate the mixed deliciousness of butter, caramel, coffee, chocolate, and cinnamon.

A minute later, Maya brought the drink to him. “Flat white. Did I get it right?”

He sipped. “It’s perfect. What do I owe you?”

“Please. I don’t know why you bother offering. Titus wouldn’t take your money even if you ate everything in the pastry case.” She smiled to soften the disparaging words. “You’re family, you jerk.”

“You love me.”

They bickered playfully until more customers came and demanded Maya’s attention. He nursed his drink until Titus came out, all geared up in baker’s togs. Taking the seat opposite Trev, he said, “This is rare. What’s up?”

“Before I tell you, you have to promise you won’t try to talk me out of this.”

Titus rubbed a hand down his jaw, something he did when he was unsettled. “Uh-oh. That’s a worrying start, you know that, right? Please tell me you aren’t joining the armed forces. I can help you find a day job.”

“Do you promise?” Trev persisted.

“Fine, hit me with it. I’m braced.” His friend gripped the edge of the table in a dramatic show of being prepared.

He rolled his eyes. No question, Titus was undeniably happier since he’d been with Danica, ups and downs aside.

But what’s the best way to frame this announcement?No way could he make it sound as reasonable and plausible as Leanne had managed, so there was probably no point in going at it from that angle, and he suspected she wouldn’t try to persuade her friends that their decision made sense either.

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