Page 49 of Extra Witchy

“To be honest, I told Vanessa and Margie that we’ve come to a mutually beneficial arrangement,” she said.

He let his arm straighten so her hand slid out of the crook of his elbow. “Then they know I’m not your real husband?”

She shot him a reproachful look and grabbed hold of him again. Trev didn’t resist as she towed him outside toward her car. “Watch what you say,” she cautioned, glancing around. “And how are you not real? We eat together, sleep together. We have sex. We spend leisure time together. Doesn’t that tick all the boxes?”

Somehow he swallowed some of his unhappiness. Trev couldn’t even say why it bothered him, imagining the convo with her book club friends. What would she have said?I found some loser and—suddenly, her fingers were on his chin, and she was kissing him, not gently either. She shoved him back against the car and curved her hand around the nape of his neck. Leanne leaned into him as she bit his lower lip and swept her tongue against his. Her body felt fierce and urgent against his, and he got hard immediately.

“It might not betraditional,” she said against his mouth. “We didn’t do things like everyone else, but don’t ever say it’s not real. Hear me?”

“Yeah, but…” With her gaze locked on his, he couldn’t bring himself to voice his doubts. That this likely had an expiration date and when she reached her goals, she’d discard him like a pair of shoes she’d worn out. Yet, even if that was true, he still chose to stick around because at least he’d have these precious memories when it was done.

And the knowledge that someone like Leanne had wanted to be with him, even briefly.

“But nothing. Let’s work on your self-esteem. How about some affirmations?” she said, rounding the car to open the door for him.

Little details like that were so freaking charming that he didn’t know what to do with himself. He probably wasn’t supposed to like it when she took the lead, but he did. Just as he enjoyed cooking for her, making sure the house was clean, and supporting her quietly from the sidelines. His old man wouldn’t approve of any of it, but that wasn’t news. Trev hadn’t made him happy since he quit baseball in fourth grade.

Trev got in the car. “What kind of affirmations?”

“Repeat after me.” Leanne flashed him a teasing smile. “‘I am a valuable human being.’”

“I am a valuable human being,” Trev said.

She started the car and put it in gear, then drove toward the other side of town. “You don’t sound like you believe it. How about this one…? ‘I deserve to be happy.’”

Stealing a glance at her profile as she drove, he wished he could believe that. While he didn’t know if he deserved it, per se, he did feel incredibly content. Jubilant, even. “I deserve to be happy.”

“Maybe this one will work better for you… ‘This cock is a gift to humanity.’”

Trev almost repeated that on automatic, and then he burst out laughing upon realizing what the hell she’d actually said. “I’m not saying that.”

“I suppose me declaring it will have to be enough.” She glanced at him sideways, her smile growing into a ridiculous grin completely at odds with her political persona.

He adored seeing her like this, loved putting that glint of mischief in her gaze. “You’re ridiculous. What am I supposed to do with you?”

“I’d help you figure it out, but we’re expected for a double date. I hope we play games. Do you think Titus hasMario Kart? No, I bet he’s a board game guy, am I right?”

He snorted. “Spot on. Sorry in advance. At least the food will be delicious. He’s a better cook than my mom. I learned from watching him.”

Leanne touched his knee. “Nothing to apologize for. All jokes aside, I want to get to know Titus. He’s your BFFandDanica loves him, so he’s someone I value on principle. People who are important to you matter to me, hon. End of.”

How am I supposed to react when she’s so freaking sweet?Three words came to mind, but he feared she wouldn’t want to hear them.

Instead of those, Trev settled for saying, “Thank you, Butterfly.”

Chapter 17

On the way out of St. Claire, Leanne stopped at the garden center.

Trev got out of the car with her, glancing around in apparent bafflement. “What are we doing here?”

She’d never visited Titus’s house before, and it seemed impolite to show up empty-handed. Since she didn’t know if he was a drinker and she had to drive home afterward, it didn’t make sense to bring her usual gift of box wine. Judging by the way he appeared to enjoy nurturing others—he lived with his grown sister, and he’d taken in his stepsister as well—Titus would probably like looking after a plant.

For ten minutes, they wandered, looking at various shrubs while Leanne checked the type against whether they were toxic to dogs.

“This one?” Trev asked, about a green plant with pointy leaves and purple blooms.

“Nope,” she said.

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