Page 20 of Hers to Keep

A few hours later, Mari was trying to figure out how to open the door to the media room while her arms were full with a giant jug of margaritas and cups.

Nova approached from behind her and pushed the door open.The copper snakes sprouting from her head wriggled in greeting as Mari walked by.

“Thanks!”Mari said with a smile.“I’m so glad you decided to join us.I never get a chance to talk to you.How are you doing?”

“Good.Willow is keeping me busy with party planning, and when Cisco heard us talking about spreadsheets, he asked if I could help him with some business stuff too.”

“Oh, that’s great.I knew right away that folks would have things for you to do once you said you were good with numbers.Willow has been trying to teach Cisco spreadsheet stuff, but he’s so busy with managing all the different aspects of the business that he hasn’t been able to dedicate himself to figuring it out.”

“Yeah, he thinks there’s quite a bit I can take off his plate once we start getting into it.”

Mari situated herself in the middle of the couch and set about spreading blankets.“I’m so glad.He’s got a lot to handle, and that’s way beyond what I can help him with.”

Tilly burst in and her feathered arms overflowed with tubs of popcorn that seemed in danger of becoming unbalanced at any moment.Pricilla came up behind her, using magic to sweep up the wayward kernels that cascaded from her arms with every step.

“I have the perfect movie picked out,” Tilly announced, as she handed one tub to Mari and another to Nova.

Mari huffed, trying to hide her amusement.“Car crashes again?”

Tilly’s eyes lit up.“Motorcycles.”

Pricillaharrumphedas she sat down.“As long as there are just as many naked men as women.”

They all laughed and looked expectantly at Tilly.

The harpy looked shifty.“I’m not sure I can guarantee that.”

“We demand equal objectification for all,” Nova said in a serious tone.

“I don’t know if that’s a realistic expectation,” Mari said amid her laughter.“After all, I think the vast majority of people who enjoy watching fast vehicles crashing are probably also people who prefer looking at naked women.”

“Everyone doesn’t enjoy boobs?”Tilly said incredulously.

“Everyone in this room does,” Pricilla countered.“But I think that doesn’t necessarily match the entire movie-going public.”

“Well, that seems like a character flaw to me.”Tilly grabbed the remote and pressed a few buttons.“Anyway, there’re definitely boobs.I don’t know if there’s anything else.”

The rest of them laughed again.Mari started pouring margaritas and passing them around.

When she handed a cup to Pricilla, she asked, “How’s everything with you?I talk to you all the time but never about anything besides work.Anything fun or interesting going on for you?”

Tilly leaned in.“Yeah, Mari isn’t the greatest at sharing juicy stuff, so I need someone else to give me some vicarious sex life details.”

Mari rolled her eyes.“You can ignore her.It doesn’t have to be about sex.”

“I’m really not up to much aside from your training and associated research I’m doing with Willow.”

“Have you thought about whether you’re going to stay in Las Vegas once things settle down?”Mari asked as a follow-up.

“I’m tempted to.Lots of interesting magical stuff going on here just now, and I don’t have anything tying me to New York.I was thinking about a change already when Esmé called, which is one of the reasons I packed up so quickly and came.”

“Okay, that definitely sounds like some yummy ex gossip,” Tilly added immediately.

When Pris paled visibly, Mari knew that was exactly what it was.“Just because you’re wrapped up in ex drama doesn’t mean everyone else is.”

Nova pounced, coming to Mari’s aid with flawless poise.“I think whatever she’s up to now with Samar ismuchmore interesting.”

Pris recovered quickly and waved an idle hand.“Oh, that’s just really casual.Both of us are in a place where we’re partnerless at the moment.”

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