Page 4 of Lila

“What are you doing downstairs?” Minnie asks. “And how did you get Wes to let you out of his sight?”

She giggles. “I snuck out when he went to check on the quiche. He thinks I’m in bed.”

“Aren’t yousupposedto be in bed? Do I need to call him?” The question sounds like a threat and based on the woman’s wide eyes, I’d say it is.

“I’m going stir-crazy up there, okay? It feels like I’ve been pregnant forever.”

“When are you due?” I ask her.

Groaning, she rubs her huge belly. “Any day now. I can’t wait for these babies to be out.”

“Wow. Congratulations.”

“Thank you!” she beams at me. “I’m Amber by the way. You must be Lila. Lavender’s told us so much about you.”

“She has? You have?” I tilt my head, staring at my best friend.

“Of course, she has. She never shuts up about you,” Minnie grins.

“Maybe I missed you a little? It’s not like I told the whole town about you,” Lav grumbles.

“Awww, I missed you too.” I bump my shoulder into hers and smile.

“Whatever. Just order a drink already,” she huffs.

“Oh, right. Ummm. I’ll have a peppermint hot cocoa.”

“Excellent choice!” Amber starts to waddle around the counter.

“I’ve got it, Amber. Go sit down before one of your guys murders me,” Minnie tells her, snatching the cup out of Amber’s hands.

“One of her guys?” I murmur.

“Yeah, Amber has three mates. So does Minnie,” Lav says.

“Threemates? Is she a shifter?” I whisper as the two fight over who’s going to make our drinks.

“Amber is… kind of. Minnie’s a witch. It’s just a Silver Springs thing, I guess. There are so many women in town with three, four, even five mates. It’s crazy, but I’m secretly hoping to get hit with a mate spell someday,” Lav sighs.

“They’re together because of aspell? That doesn’t sound good. And you want that? You want a bunch of guys that only want you because some spell makes them?”

“That’s not how it works,” Amber says and I snap my head back to her. I completely forgot about them. Shit. “It’s okay. I thought that when I was first spelled too. But it doesn’tmakesomeone love you. It simply attracts your mates to you like a magnet. The mate bond is 100% real. Some people just need the fiery rope of magic connecting them to realize what’s been there all along.” She gives Minnie a meaningful look and she scowls in response.

“Yeah, Julian may not always know what he’s doing, but I guess his spells mostly turn out okay,” Minnie says.

“You both found your mates because of a spell?”

“Yup. Stick around, maybe you’ll join the club.” Amber winks at me.

“Yeah, no thanks. I’m good without a mate. Three of them? Sounds like a nightmare.”Sounds pretty good actually. I could see the benefits of having multiple partners. But still… It’s not for me. Maybe Lav.

“Whatever you say, Lila. It’s on the house. Welcome to town,” she says as Minnie sets two to-go cups on the counter.

“Thanks, Amber. Get some rest!”

“Nice meeting you both. Thanks for the warm welcome,” I say holding up my cup. “Where to next?” I ask as Lav leads the way to the door.

“You’ll see…” she sing-songs.

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