Page 64 of Sweetwater and the Witch

“Technically we’re not engaged. Not yet.”

She stared at him in disbelief. “After those headlines in theCurtain, everyone—including both of our families, I might add—will assume we’re engaged. It’s practically an announcement.”

“You will notice that there is no ring,” Ethan said. It was as if he had just pointed out the answer to a mathematical equation. QED.

Once again she could not find the words, so she ate some of the crisp fish. She was amazed to discover she had an appetite, given the situation. True, she hadn’t had time for breakfast. Still. Stress eating, probably.

“You’re looking at this from a skewed perspective,” Ethan said.

She narrowed her eyes. “That sounds like mansplaining.”

“Just pointing out an obvious fact. So what if everyone thinks we’re on the brink of announcing our engagement? Engagements can be terminated just as easily as a casual dating relationship.”

“No,” Ravenna said. “A formal engagement implies that a Covenant Marriage is expected and intended. Ending an engagement is a very big deal.”

“Not really,” Ethan said, munching a fry. “There are no legal consequences. Some minor social embarrassment, maybe, but no career-destroying repercussions. Besides, we won’t actually be ending an engagement. We’ll be terminating an almost engagement. After the shock wears off, everyone will say it was a good thing we figured out our mistake before it was too late.”

Ravenna ate another fry and thought about that. He had a point. Maybe she was overreacting. Maybe the situation could be managed. Maybe.

“What about our families?” she said. “Right now our fake match is just local news, but it won’t be long before my parents and yours hear about it.”

“Zora called me already,” Ethan admitted. “Wanted to know what was going on.”

“What did you tell her?”

“The truth, more or less—that we hadn’t made a formal announcement and that we were holding off until after I met your family. She understood.”

“Huh. No formal announcement until after we meet each other’s families.” Ravenna gave that some thought. “Okay, I guess that line works. For now.”

“Your enthusiasm is a little underwhelming, but never mind. One step at a time. Meanwhile, I have an update on Spooner.”

Ravenna perked up. “What?”

“He’s on his way back to his company’s headquarters in Frequency.”

“He’s going to get away with the murder of that prospector, isn’t he?”

“Looks like it. Arcane will keep an eye on him. Meanwhile, we know for sure he didn’t get control of the Glass House Antiquity, and everyone involved seems to think that achievement is a very, very big deal.”

“Still. Spooner is getting away with murder.”

“Yeah.”

Chapter Thirty

“I’m trying not to look too far ahead, Sybil.” Ravenna put the phone on speaker, set the device on the counter, opened a cupboard door, and took down a bottle of brandy. “I just want to get through this big family gathering thing before I decide what to do next.”

“You’re stalling for time.”

“Well, sure. What would you do?”

“Stall,” Sybil admitted.

It was almost eleven. Two hours earlier Harriet had disappeared into the green shadows of the Dark Zone for her nightly round of partying. Ravenna was in her nightgown, robe, and slippers. She had finished packing an hour ago. She knew she ought to get some rest. Ethan was picking her up early in the morning. It was a long drive to the Silver Lake resort. The anniversary gala, which would kick off with a barbecue in the late afternoon and conclude with a midnight ball, would be exhausting.

But she was too restless to sleep, so she was in the kitchen preparingto drink some therapeutic brandy. She needed to talk to someone. Fortunately, Sybil was a night person.

“I understand,” Sybil said. “But we both know showing up at your grandparents’ anniversary party with a Sweetwater who is a sort-of fiancé is going to be messy.”

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