Page 3 of Extra Witchy

“It’s where the heart is,” Junie said cheerfully.

“And I’m your heart?” She didn’t mean to sound so skeptical.

“Of course you are. You’re my little LeLe Moonbeam.”

Please, no.

For the first time ever, she asked her mother for advice, mostly because Junie was here. “What would you do if a man made you feel grubby as hell just by looking at you? He’s such an awful, arrogant son of a bitch.”

“Find some way to make him sorry,” Junie said promptly. “You could hex him?”

“I don’t want to be that witch. It’s not like he wronged me in the Victorian sense, but he’s such a gross chauvinist. Ugh.”

“If it’s a matter of disrespect, take something that belongs to him. I once hot-wired this asshole’s Toyota, but I magicked myself to look like someone else during the theft, and I only drove it for half an hour because I didn’t want to get arrested. I wouldn’t do well in prison.”

Apart from grand theft auto, that was…surprisingly on point—and in line with Leanne’s own thinking. She needed more time to ponder, but the seeds of an idea were already germinating, and in the meantime, the cocktails were delicious. Leanne had one, then two, and giggled with her mom while figuring out what to wear to the party later.

If she couldn’t escape Junie’s influence, maybe she’d lean into it.

***

Trevor Montgomery was nervous.

Apart from his best friend, Titus, everyone had stopped talking to him years ago. Like his parents, they’d given up on him after Sarah left. Titus was the only one who didn’t drift. Even the guys they hung out with—Calvin, Dante, and Miguel—were more Titus’s friends than his, though nobody ever askedWhy are you inviting that loser?he still felt it keenly, that sense of displacement. Of being the add-on, the guy nobody would include as their first choice.

Now he’d gotten invited to an actual party. Not poker night or beer with the guys. It had been so long that he’d settled into the awkwardness of not remembering how to talk to people. He’d be meeting Titus’s girlfriend and all her friends, and he acutely didn’t want to bethat guyanymore. Not that he knew how to shake off the reputation—it was easier to wash out the scent of weed, and that skunky shit lingered. He liked being baked, maybe a little too much, but he could relate to those who hated the stink.

Thankfully, Titus didn’t give him shit when he picked Trevor up, because he’d dug deep into his closet for an outfit that didn’t sayHey, I live in my parents’ basement and my main hobbies are video games and quality Kush.He kept tugging at the collar of his polo on the way over. It’d been years since he wore anything but a T-shirt.

“It’ll be fine,” Titus said.

“Easy for you to say. Your girlfriend flew to Arizona to get you back.”

I’m such a fuckup. I can’t believe you invited me to meet people who could be so important to you.

His knee jittered, and he wished he had something to take the edge off. Anxiety might eat him alive before the night ended. Drinking until everything went blurry sounded good, but he couldn’t let himself do that either. Not when Titus trusted him to make a good impression on Danica’s friends. Trev’s palms went sweaty as they pulled up in front of the house. At least, he figured it must be the right place by the number of cars parked outside. After he swung out of the car, he rubbed his palms against his cargo shorts then followed Titus up the drive. In college, he’d attended house parties, so he shouldn’t be this freaked, but it had been years.

Is it possible to forget how to socialize?

He froze by the door, overwhelmed by the laughter and the music, but Titus towed him into the mix, introducing him around. Trev immediately forgot all the names he heard, and he couldn’t make eye contact with anyone either. He tried to control his breathing, but with every fiber of his being, he wanted to dash for the door and keep running, on and on, maybe until his heart exploded.Because I’m such a tool, I can’t even—

“I’m Leanne. Want to be my third husband?” Those utterly unexpected words cut into his near panic attack with surgical precision, leaving him too stunned to be anxious. To mess with his head even more, they’d been spoken by the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

Bombshell. That was the only word for this curvaceous redhead. She was gorgeous from head to toe, and she honestly seemed to be talking to him. If he hadn’t made a point of coming to this shindig sober, he would’ve sworn he was high.

Trev blinked.Nope, not hallucinating. She’s still here.

Before he even thought about it, he blurted, “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.”

Great, way to go. That’s not how flirting works. You sound like you’re genuinely applying for a job.

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

The woman laughed, as she was likely meant to. She chatted a bit with Danica and Titus, then they moved off together, leaving Trev staring at the ridiculously beautiful redhead. Broad forehead, wide cheekbones, pointed chin, and she had big eyes that didn’t know if they were blue or gray, framed by thick lashes. And her mouth—

Unexpectedly, she flashed him a wide, bright smile, indicating she intended to continue the conversation.How does she have perfect teeth too?Part of him couldn’t believe she was eventalkingto him. If he’d spotted her at O’Reilly’s, no way in hell would he have worked up the courage to approach. Trev couldn’t even imagine that he was her type. Then she stepped closer, and he understood. Judging by the smell and the glint in her eyes, she’d been pregaming, so she was already working with beer goggles. A few drinks in, and he became a decent option. Disappointment deluged him, though he didn’t let his smile falter.

At least I’m talking tosomeone, even if she’s drunk.

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