Page 58 of Fairy Godmothers Aren't Cheap

He scanned my laptop where, earlier, I’d brought up info on local grants. Then he took out his phone and sent someone a text. Moments later, he got a ding and began typing on my laptop.

“Try this one.” He looked up at me and I came around so I could read the grant’s details over his shoulder. He shifted slightly, patting the small wedge of cushion beside him. I shoehorned myself into the space, embarrassed at the width of my hips. James didn’t seem to notice, even though his leg was resting against mine—nopressing. It was incredibly distracting. So was his voice. He was speaking quietly to me, saying how cool it was that I was going to make a park for the kids. His admiration was like a microwave set to high on my melting heart. He probably thought I was an unselfish saint, and I hoped that having a primary motivation of getting out of debt—even though I really did want to clean up the lot for the neighbourhood kids—didn’t reduce my much-needed big wave of cosmic energy, or whatever Estelle had called it.

“How’s it look?” James asked, referring to the grant.

I startled, realizing I’d been basking in his words and daydreaming about the warmth of his thigh against mine, noting that he had a small mole on the underside of his chin that I’d never noticed before. We were so close my breath caught in my lungs. I could easily shift my weight and fall into his lap, my lips upon his. I looked down, clearing my throat.

“The deadline, um.” I checked our spreadsheet. We’d already axed that one due to a few other requirements. “Is a bit late.”

Josie, still not looking up from her own work, held out a hand. “Gabby, give me a cookie or die.”

Gabby quickly handed the container to Josie. I scored one as it went by and took a big bite. So good. The cookie was soft, sweet, but still gingery. Just right.

“Hey, you have a hole in your shirt,” James said in a low voice like it was just the two of us on this couch cushion, an island lost in a calm sea, nothing else for miles. He gently touched the inch of skin showing through the blouse’s gaping hole.

“I know,” I said with a sigh, trying not to think too hard about how nice his touch had felt. How electric. It was like every cell was on high alert now, ready and waiting for more James.

But I’d destroyed my shirt. I should think about that, not how yummy he was. When I wore this one, I felt gorgeous. It hung in the right way to emphasize the drop from my generous chest to my waist, giving the illusion of super sexy curves, and the jewel tone made me look healthy and vibrant even when I was tired.

There. No longer thinking about James. Instead, I was thinking about the fact that I didn’t have a sewing kit to fix my beloved shirt.

His focus had gone back to his texts, and he angled his phone so I could see. “Try this one.” I typed the grant name into a search engine.

“Got it,” Tamara said, beating me to it. A moment later, she turned her tablet to face us so we could read about the local community greening grant.

I snatched her tablet, scanning the info. “This is amazing!”

“They meet once a month,” Tamara said, and I let out a gasp of excitement.

“James, you’re a godsend,” Josie exclaimed, leaning out of her seat to give him a high five.

I murmured my agreement.

“I think Clarisa used to be on the board for that one,” Samantha said, coming around the couch to peer over my shoulder. “Yeah, she quit because gardening was too hard on her manicures. I think she’s still a member, though. I’ll ask.”

“I wish she was still on the board, and could give us the grant,” I said wistfully. Tamara gave me a dark look. “What?”

“No wishing,” she said firmly.

I clapped a hand over my mouth. I hadn’t even noticed my absent wishing. It was such a part of my habits.

“Harsh,” James said, coming to my defence.

“I didn’t mean that wish.” I looked at the ceiling as though that might help cancel out what I’d said.

“You can wish all you like, Char,” James said. His leg was still against mine, an insistent pressing.

No, I really couldn’t. Not any longer. I sighed, surprised at my deep, echoing sense of loss. No more semi-charmed life due to buying my way out of sticky jams, thanks to my fairy godmother. I felt so…average and blah.

“Nope. Quit wishing and take action,” Tamara told James. “That’s the motto.”

“Only way to change the world,” Josie said feebly.

“You’re all weird,” Gabby stated, taking another handful of cookies.

“Apply for that one,” Samantha said, handing the tablet back to Tamara. She checked her smart watch for the time. “I have a date with an Irish hottie. Gotta run.” She disappeared into her room to get ready.

“Caleb?” James asked. I’d given him the rundown on Samantha’s unrequited crush on our downstairs neighbour a few weeks ago. I loved that he remembered me mentioning Caleb, and I wondered what other details about my life he recalled. Was there a chance he was hoovering up tidbits about me, like I was with him?

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