Page 23 of Extra Witchy

“I think we’re getting off track,” Margie pointed out.

While Leanne enjoyed gossip in general, she did regret talking about other members of the coven behind their backs, so she accepted the reproof. Vanessa mimed zipping her lips as Margie went to the restroom, and Leanne laughed.

The other witch leaned forward. “Tell me straight up—there’s something special about this dude, or you wouldn’t be ready to move him into your condo.” Vanessa held up a hand. “Don’t even play. You can front for Margie about your mom and the city council election, but I refuse to believe you’d consider this if there was nothing else in it for you.”

Biting her lip, she considered for all of two seconds before admitting, “I do like him. And the sex was good.”

“Good? Really? We heard you in the bathroom. I’m just putting that out there.”

“Surprisingly awesome,” she muttered.

Vanessa smirked. “There it is. For what it’s worth, you have my stamp of approval. If you can get some and get the job done, why wouldn’t you? We’ve got your back when the time comes. What are we looking at, logistically speaking?”

“I can work for another month or so, but after that, I need to give notice and start campaigning for city council. Really, I should do it sooner, but I need to collect a couple more paychecks while I still can.”

“You won’t earn enough as a council member,” Vanessa cautioned.

“I’m aware, but I can’t keep working for the mayor either. Rutherford’s been seated forever, and he plays golf with my boss. Dunno if this qualifies as a conflict of interest, but Anderson would definitely snoop and try to keep me too busy to challenge his buddy.”

After sipping her wine, Vanessa said, “Try to lock in young voters along with the seniors. I think I read both those age groups tend to vote in a block.”

She nodded. “See, this is why we’re friends. I was planning to go for the lower and upper age brackets. But would it be unethical to use certain…advantages?”

Leanne spoke volumes with her eyes. Clem and Danica could do all kinds of fun things on the internet to ensure her message went viral. Leanne herself could influence crowds using magic, and Ethel could help with divinations to determine which speaking engagements would prove most beneficial in winning hearts and minds.

The other witch laughed as Margie walked up. “What’s so funny?”

Vanessa said, “Leanne’s wondering if she should run a regular campaign.”

Using that word wouldn’t set off any alarm bells, but Margie got the gist. She smiled too. “Why would you do that? I say use every advantage at your disposal. Your opponent will.”

“That’s what I wanted to hear. Because if I play, I aim to win.”

***

A few days later, Trev had everything packed.

There was no need for him to invite her over to return the favor, pretending in front of his parents. From now on, Tanner could bask in the spotlight with his perfect family, freeing Trev to breathe for the first time in ten years. He still couldn’t believe it, but Leanne had texted him the pass code to her condo and said a gate pass would be waiting for him this afternoon with the security guard. His life certainly had taken a wild turn since meeting her at Danica’s party. Sometimes he considered sending Titus’s girlfriend a thank-you card. Part of him had feared he’dnevermove out of his parents’ basement, and yet here he was, carrying boxes up the stairs.

His car looked like it belonged to a college student moving out of the dorms, because he had no furniture, just clothes, books, bedding, and games. Some of his stuff, he had a hard time picturing in her elegant condo, but he could buy a trunk or hide it in the closet. Everything about this was weird, but normal had screwed him over and left him licking his wounds for years.

“You’re really moving out.” His mother’s voice boomed loud and strident behind him, nearly making him drop the carton he was carrying.

Trev turned around.Damn. I was hoping to be gone before she got back.“I told you I was the other night at dinner.”

The less he had to think about that nightmare of a social occasion, the better. His brother was practically pathological with his need for attention. When Trev mentioned he had a girlfriend, Tanner interjected to talk about an impossible surgery he pulled off. Then Trev tried to tell the family that he was moving out, and Tanner announced that he and Amelia—his wife—had decided to try for another baby. Like, why did that need to be shared over spaghetti and meatballs? He could’ve lived without knowing they were focused on procreative sex.

“Dad and I thought you were joking. Tanner said—”

“I was entirely serious,” he interrupted, wedging the box in the back seat.

Mom followed as he went back down to continue loading the car.Good times.Now that he was leaving, she wanted to talk.

“I see that now. But is this a good idea? We haven’t met her, and you can’t have been dating long. It seems rash.”

Irritated, he stopped on the basement stairs. “How do you know?” he asked. “You and I haven’t had a real conversation in six months. I do the laundry when you chuck it down the stairs. You ignore me otherwise.”

Barb sucked in a sharp breath, pressing a hand to her sternum as if he’d hurt her. “That’s not fair. And it’s not true either.”

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