Page 6 of Dottie's Forbidden Wizard
My love life is as dry as a desert, a fact that has not changed since my time here ten years ago. Dating in Oz wasn’t easy as a human. I went out twice with a Quadling named Hayes, but we only kissed a few times, and he groped me over my bra once. I showed up at school the next day with a big smile, hoping we might go further that afternoon, until I saw his black eye. Hayes wouldn't tell me what happened and refused to speak to me again, but I knew it involved a run-in with the wicked witches and their underlings. They made it their job to torture me—physically and emotionally—until the day I left.
It was for the best. Hayes didn't exactly get my heart racing. To be fair, only one man has ever made that happen. And he barely acknowledged my pathetic human existence all those years ago.
"Stay away from the magic folk, Dottie. Especially with the election going on right now."
I startle at Leo's abrupt comment, wondering if he read my thoughts. Laughing awkwardly, I deflect it back to him. "I don't think you're destined to be with a witch, Leo, but there are a lot of women in Oz."
"Yes, the ladies are beating down our door." Nick's sarcastic comment is followed immediately by a loud bang at the front of the house, and he grins at the timing.
"Knock, knock!" Toto's sunny voice calls out as the front door opens.
I jump up. "Hi, friend." I breathe in her vanilla and sugar scent and give her a big squeeze. "Oh, my. I've forgotten how tiny you are!"
"Short, maybe. Tiny, not so much." Toto is barely five-two and has curves for days. She wraps both arms around me, laughing in delight when I won't let her go. "Well, this is certainly a better greeting than I expected! Have you forgiven me then?"
"Forgiven you for what?" Granger steps into the front entry behind Toto. At six-five, his tall, muscular figure is imposing. He's like a super-strong basketball player, but not as graceful.
"Oh, hi, Granger." Toto tucks a strand of dark, curly hair behind her ear as she tries to get out of his way. Granger moves at the same time, and they end up bumping into each other.
"Sorry!" Toto giggles nervously, scrambling to turn around.
Granger grins down at her and gestures for her to go first. When they both move into each other's path again, he finally pulls Toto under his arm and walks her to the small table where Leo and Nick are watching the scene unfold. Granger pulls out a chair, gesturing to it with an exaggerated bow. Toto sits, flustered and bright red.
"Hello, gorgeous!" Granger envelops me in a huge hug, swinging my five-eight curvy-assed frame in a full circle like I weigh nothing more than a feather.
I laugh, swatting him before sitting next to Toto.
Granger ambles to the kitchen and reemerges with five glasses of lemonade.
Feeding others comes so naturally to him. He's like a little Italian nonna. He passes out the refreshments and sits with us at the table. After taking a large gulp, he turns his attention to Toto again.
"Are you here because you can't live without my nuts?"
Toto chokes on her drink. "What?" she splutters.
I hide a grin despite my bewilderment at his obvious flirtation with her.
"The pecans I sold you the other day," Granger says innocently, but the look he's giving her is anything but.
It's more than that, though. If I didn't know better, I'd say he's looking at Toto like he's in love.
"She's here for Dottie," Leo interjects gruffly as he glares at Granger. He barely glances at Toto, whose cheeks are as red as Fighting Tree apples.
"Right, I am." Toto laughs nervously as she pulls a neat stack of clothes from her bag.
Granger continues to grin at her, ignoring Leo and Nick, even when the latter kicks him under the table.
The guys are acting weird today.
"Here’s the uniform, thank you so much. I know this is a horrible time, and the last people you want to be around are the Ozellas, but if I don't do this event tomorrow night, I'm Gillikin meat."
"You'll be at the Ozella's fundraiser tomorrow? That's what you're helping with?" Leo growls, eyeing Toto and me with concern shining in his stormy eyes.
"Yeah. Toto's shorthanded." I look between my brothers and Toto, noticing they’re avoiding my gaze. "What's going on?"
"Just some Land of Oz politics. It’ll be fine." Nick gives me a tight smile, his eyes tired. Even Granger's smile falters.
"Tell me," I demand.
