Page 77 of Secrets & Spells
Brooks shakes his head. “Not yet. We need time to digest first.”
Gwyn lays a hand over her full stomach. “Absolutely,” she agrees. “If you’ve not tried Dove’s pumpkin spice muffins yet, you really should—they’re so good.”
“I’ll let her know you enjoyed them. We’re going to make the rounds, but I’ll catch up with you later.” They wave us off as Jared and I meander through the crowd.
After what happened with Corbin we missed night two of the festival, which is when everyone wears their Halloween costumes. It’s one of my favourite parts, second only to the closing night dance, but I’m content knowing Jared and I will be able to enjoy it together next year. Tonight I’m so happy to be here with my mate, knowing the monster from his nightmares is gone and that our bond is finally complete, that nothing else matters. Jared squeezes my hand like he knows exactly what I’m thinking, and maybe he does. Supes who’ve been mated for a long time tend to have the ‘volume’ turned down on their mate bond as it can be distracting constantly feeling someone else’semotions, but for now Jared and I, like most newly bonded mates, are enjoying the full strength of our connection.
“Do you want to say hi to Dove?” Jared asks.
I nod. “Sure.”
Hunter’s Moon still has a temporary bar set up off to the side, and the diner and Sweet Dreams have their stalls on the opposite side of the square for anyone feeling peckish. I watch as Dove takes off her chef’s jacket, revealing a beautiful pastel-pink halter neck dress underneath. She tucks the jacket behind the stall and hands an apron to Audrey who’s ready to tap in. Dove never wants anyone to miss out on the fun of the last night of the festival, so she makes a schedule where everyone, herself included, works for an hour. Spotting me and Jared, she smiles widely and waves enthusiastically.
“Hi, you both look amazing,” she gushes.
“You too,” I tell her. I’m clearly not the only one who thinks so. Giles sits at a nearby table with a perfect view of Dove’s booth, his glass of whisky paused halfway to his lips as he stares at her.
Oblivious to Giles’s admiration, Dove smiles up at Jared. “I saved you the last pumpkin spice muffin. They’ve been super popular, so thanks again for being my taste-tester.” She turns to me. “Don’t worry, there’s a chocolate and cherry cupcake with your name on it too. Just go up to the stall and ask whenever you’re ready.”
“Thanks, that’s very thoughtful of you,” Jared replies, trying not to grimace.
“No problem,” Dove chirps. “The least you two deserve is something sweet after everything you’ve been through.”
“I think we’re going to mingle a bit more first, but we’ll make sure to stop by and pick them up later,” I promise.
“Great. Well, I’ll leave you to it. I’m off to see if I can find someone to dance with.”
“You could ask Giles,” I suggest, unable to resist.
“Oh, um, well, I’m… no. I don’t think he’d—” She blushes furiously. “Never mind. Have fun you two!” She rushes off before I can say anything else.
Jared’s lips brush the shell of my ear. “You’re meddling.”
I tilt my head, giving him my best innocent look. “Me?”
“Yes,” he deadpans.
“Fine, yes, but only a little. It’s obvious he likes her and after that,” I wave my hand at the spot where Dove was standing, “it’s clear she feels the same.”
“Maybe, but they need to figure it out on their own.”
My fringe flutters in the wake of my sigh. “I know. Now let’s get away from here before I turn into Cordelia and you’re forced to eat another one of those muffins.”
Jared’s face falls. “I’m going to be stuck eating those damn things every year now, aren’t I?”
“Yep. Unless you want to break the heart of the sweetest person I know.” He groans, letting me lead him away from the stall.
We say a quick hello to Garrett who’s behind the bar when we go up to grab a drink. Afterwards we run into Cordelia, who looks stunning in a figure-hugging peacock-blue dress and strappy gold heels. We all sit down, and she chats with us for a few minutes before rushing off to check in on the couples she’s set up on dates for this evening.
The band starts playing one of my favourite songs and Jared immediately stands, holding out his hand for me to take. “Dance with me?”
“I’d love to.”
We join the crowd of gently swaying bodies in front of the gazebo as the notes of the ballad permeate the night air. Jared’s warm hands wrap around my waist as I rest mine lightly atop his shoulders.
“Are you having fun?” he asks softly.
The lenses of his glasses reflect my bright smile. “Tonight’s been perfect.”
