Page 38 of Extra Witchy

“I’m into it. I’ll put on my bikini.” She wrapped up in the hotel robe and slipped on some flip-flops.

The pool was outside, and there was a massive stretch of people sunning themselves on rows of lounge chairs. A few families were in the water, but there was still plenty of space to swim. Leanne dove in without hesitation, a clean slice through the water. Magic tickled over her skin as she broke the surface, and she skimmed the pool area, trying to pinpoint her fellow witch. Impossible without doing a little spell work of her own, and she didn’t care that much either. Pretending she hadn’t noticed, she cut toward Trev in a brisk breaststroke.

“You’re an incredible swimmer,” he said. “I thought you’d be a toe-dipper.”

“What’s that? Sounds vaguely offensive.”

“You know, someone who perches at the edge of the pool, slathers up in sunscreen, maybe puts a foot in, and eventually decides to work on their tan instead.”

“Are you judging me for how I look?” Leanne asked in a neutral tone.

“A little, I guess. Should’ve known better.” Instead of apologizing, he splashed her, and she went back at him hard. “Okay, but seriously, how is your face still perfect? What brand of cosmetics do you use? The world needs to know your secret.”

She tossed her head, slinging water everywhere. “I’ll never tell. Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s…”

“Witchcraft,” Trev said.

Leanne froze, then she forced herself to laugh. “That’s not how the ad slogan goes.”

She ducked under the water and swam through his legs like a seal, lifting him up as she passed. He tried to grab her, and they spent a glorious hour horsing around, until well past the point when her skin was shriveled up like a prune. Eventually, she stretched an arm out, staring at her wrinkled fingers in disapproval.

“Time to go?” he asked.

“I think so. I need time to get myself together for the wedding.”

The hotel robe was delightfully absorbent, so she didn’t drip water all through the halls. Back in the room, it was odd and quiet after the silly, playful pool outing, and she kept stealing looks at Trev as she gathered her toiletries for a long shower.

Finally, he said, “Something on your mind?”

“You’re not saying much… If you’re having second thoughts—”

“Not even slightly,” he cut in.

“I’d understand if you were. It’s a big step, and maybe you’d rather hold out for the perfect person or the perfect moment.”

With a faint, melancholy smile, Trev shook his head. “Perfection is a lie. It’s just hitting me, that’s all. We’re really doing this. No matter the reasons, I’ll legally be your husband in like two hours. That’s wild.”

“I was thinking about that,” she said. “Do you mind if I take a hyphen?”

His eyes widened. “Why would I? I haven’t even thought about the name-change stuff. Leanne Vanderpol-Montgomery is quite a mouthful, though. Have you imagined the signs?”

She grinned, loving that he was already picturing her political ambitions. “It sounds fancy, doesn’t it?”

“Sure does. Do whatever you want. I wasn’t expecting you to take my name at all.”

Impulsively, she hugged him, wrapping her arms tightly around his shoulders. “It’s a good-faith gesture. I’ll take the first shower.”

“No problem. I’ll watch some TV in this badass bathrobe.”

She washed up properly but didn’t linger, aware that he was waiting for a turn in damp trunks in an air-conditioned room.He’s probably freezing.Trev seemed like the kind of person who would always go second, never putting himself first.Maybe I need to nudge him in that direction. Wait, no. I’m thinking like this is a normal relationship instead of a mutually convenient arrangement.Even Leanne occasionally lost track of why they were together, so maybe it was confusing for him too.

She stepped out of the shower and wrapped up in a towel. “All yours,” she called.

He ambled into the bathroom and pulled her close, brushing a kiss against the wet hair at her temple. “Thanks, Butterfly.”

“What?”

“Just an endearment I’m trying out. I noticed the face you made when I called you babe. How’s it working for you?”

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