Page 25 of Witchful Thinking

A stab of guilt hit Lucy’s gut, but she pushed on. She still had no regrets about running away, especially when there was a spell involved. “I really wanted to ride the Ferris wheel,” Lucy said.

Callie squeaked, offended that Lucy hadn’t heeded her warning, but she didn’t look up from her phone. Lucy went to apologize but then stopped.

Why was Marcus putting her name in his mouth? He could’ve called her instead of bothering Ursula with his problem.

“He just wanted to say hi. You’re both in our wedding party.”

“When did you talk to Marcus?” Lucy asked.

“He texted me. You got off the ride with Alex. Marcus also said you found your soul mate,” Ursula said in an astounded tone. Her eyes narrowed. “Is that true? Alex is your soul mate.”

No. No. No. Lucy’s mouth didn’t open despite her best efforts. Where was a purse-size crowbar when you needed it? She dipped her head in reluctant acknowledgment. The wish was completely out of hand.

Callie whipped her head up, invested now. “Lucy, you wicked witch.”

“You’ve been dreaming about him forever.” There was a slight tinge of wonder in Ursula’s voice. “It’s about time this happened for you.”

Defeated by the wish, Lucy couldn’t say anything negative but just pressed herself against the books. For a moment back in high school, she thought she might have felt that telltale click inside. If only Alex had been her true match. But he hadn’t felt anything other than friendship toward her.

“So, I assume he’s going to be your wedding date,” Ursula drawled.

“Maybe,” Lucy eked out, unable to scream the words “No way, baby.”

It took her an entire month to ask him to senior prom. How was she going to ask him to Ursula’s wedding? Ugh.

“That’s perfect. You don’t have to go far to pick up your date,” Callie said with a grin.

Ursula threw a questioning glance at Callie, and Callie told her, “Alex bought the Fortunato Cottage.”

Ursula clucked happily at this sudden news. Lucy gave Callie a pointed glare, but Callie was unfazed. “There are no secrets in the Grove. You should know that by now.”

“Perfect. I was just about to ask you about your plus one,” Ursula said. “We’re updating the guest list. The caterer needs a final head count for the menu.”

“Oh, okay now. What’s on the menu?” Callie asked.

“Um…it’s going to be a buffet. We’ve decided on a menu called King Triton’s Feast.”

Callie nodded automatedly like a bobblehead doll on a car dashboard. What the what? Lucy turned toward the bookshelf so Ursula wouldn’t see her stunned look. Ursula, the woman who hated sand with a passion and once tried to free the live lobsters at Uncle Mac’s Seafood Shack in Cape May, was having a beach-themed wedding. It appeared that Lucy wasn’t the only one whose wish seemed to be going out of control. A voice in her head warned her, If Ursula’s wish is acting up, what’s going to happen to you?

“Lucy?” Ursula’s voice interrupted her private freak-out.

She blinked her thoughts away and faced Ursula. “Hm?”

“Confirm if Alex is coming to the wedding. We need a final head count by mid-August.”

A rapid beeping sounded off. Ursula searched frantically for her phone in her bag. “That’s my alarm. We have the cake tasting at four. I’m heading out.”

“I thought you decided to serve red velvet cake.”

“No. It doesn’t fit the new theme. We’re thinking mango or pineapple-cherry sponge cake.” Ursula found her phone and swiped off the alarm.

“Are you serious about the pineapple sponge?” Lucy asked.

“This is my wedding cake! It’s not like we’re picking out something simple like a tea blend.”

Lucy glared at her. You wish.

Ursula blew a kiss. “Text me later. Love y’all.”

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