Page 32 of Extra Witchy

“But?” After stepping into the elevator, she moved to the back, a courtesy in case they stopped at other floors on the way down.

“I dunno. I can’t explain it, but I feel the most chill I ever have. Like if I’m holding your hand, you won’t let anything bad happen.”

Oh. Oh wow.

She hadn’t been holding his hand until that moment, but she reached for him instinctively, lacing their fingers together. Neither of them said a word until the elevator doors opened, and she tugged him forward. Though it was only five till nine, Danica was already parked out front with the engine idling. She waved with both hands, presumably one for Leanne and the other for Trev. While Leanne didn’t possess that kind of joie de vivre, it amused her. Danica was the bouncy puppy of the coven, always quick with a smile or a hug, while Clem was more of a hedgehog. She could’ve gone further with the animal comparisons, but she stowed their bags in the back then swung into the back seat instead, beckoning Trev to do the same.

“You’re making me your chauffeur?” the other witch joked.

“I should’ve told you to dress in black and white and to wear a jaunty hat.”

“Welcome aboard, Trev. I hope you’re going somewhere fun,” Danica said.

She felt Trev’s gaze lingering on her face, and when she glanced over at him, he smiled. “It should be.”

Leanne connected her phone to the car audio and selected a road trip playlist. Trev surprised her by singing along to all their in-group favorites, tapping out the beat on his knees. He was pretty good at harmonizing, and Leanne didn’t miss how Danica smiled at him in appreciation in the rearview mirror. The rest of the coven hadn’t liked either of her first two husbands, but it seemed like things might be different this time.

They made good time, and Danica dropped them off at departures. Trev grabbed their stuff while Leanne leaned into the passenger window. “Thanks for always being in my corner.”

“I can’t wait to hear the whole story.” Danica waved as she pulled away.

Leanne found Trev waiting by the automatic doors as people surged around him, but he kept his gaze locked on her. He had one hand on the raised handle of her small rolling duffel, and it struck her as sweet that he took it for granted that he’d manage her things. She wasn’t used to that sort of care, but…she liked it.

Five minutes at the kiosk, and she had boarding passes. With Trev keeping pace in long, easy strides, she led the way though security. His bag got searched while hers didn’t, and she waited for him on the other side. She’d booked business class seats, so they headed to the lounge. Trev seemed to be trying to play it cool, but she noted how his eyes widened as they got scanned in and found chairs in the corner, tucked away from everyone else.

“Wow, this is amazing. Do you usually travel this way?”

She shot him a wink. “First class all the way, sweetheart. Well, business anyway. But don’t be too impressed, I upgraded using points.”

He ducked his head with a rueful smile, another expression she found ridiculously adorable. “I’m pretending I have any idea what that means. Is that a credit card thing?”

“It is. Want something to drink? I can’t cook, but I can use coffee machines like a boss.”

“A latte or cappuccino?” he asked, seeming unsure.

“Coming right up. I’ll get some snacks too.”

He arranged their bags behind his chair, keeping them safe. Leanne smiled over that as she strode toward the drink bar. First she fetched their coffee, then she served two plates with a variety of fruits and pastries. They hadn’t taken time to eat breakfast; she’d figured they would eat at the airport, and Trev never questioned her plans. While some might disparage his easygoing attitude, she favored the faith it demonstrated.

“I never thought it would happen to me,” he said, obviously parodying one ofthosestories. “But here I am, being swept off my feet.”

***

Business class was way better than coach.

Trev hadn’t traveled much in the past ten years, but before that, family vacations had him wedged in with Tanner and Mom while Dad enjoyed an upgrade alone. This time, though, he sat beside Leanne on the aisle, and she smiled at him before taking his hand. The flight attendant asked if they wanted juice or water before takeoff, and afterward, they pulled the curtain separating the front of the plane from the back.

They had lunch in the air, and he watched a movie while Leanne took a nap. The flight took four hours, and soon, they were on the ground in Vegas. He grabbed their bags from the overhead and stepped back so Leanne could precede him, blocking those trying to press forward behind him. She shot him a soft smile and glided forward. Her walk was a force of nature, drawing multiple eyes as her hips swiveled.

And she’s with me.

That was the wildest part of all this. She took his hand again as they walked up the jet bridge to the airport proper. Harry Reid International Airport was clean and modern, and Leanne led the way as if she could navigate this place in her sleep. Soon, they joined the taxi line and got a ride to their hotel, a posh place that looked like a cathedral in Europe. Trev tried not to stare in awe at the frescoes on the ceiling and the gilt everywhere.

Leanne took care of check-in while he stood back, silently marveling that any of this was happening at all. Mom and Dad would be so surprised. Probably, he should feel bad about doing this in secret, but they’d written him off years ago. He did feel a bit guilty about leaving Titus in the dark, but since Leanne wasn’t telling her book club besties either, he’d roll with her desire to keep everything on the down low until it was too late for anyone to argue.

“All set?” she asked, tapping the counter with her nails to get his attention.

“Totally.”

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