Page 40 of Seven Secret Spellcasters
Levi and Christina hurried over, and Christina grabbed Mia’s arm, kissing her on both cheeks. “Thank you so much for moving here so I could meet my soul mate.”
Christina was a little tipsy. Mia held her arms so she wouldn’t fall over in her glass slippers. Yes, Christina had come as Cinderella and made Levi dress up as Prince Charming. Mia was in one of Christina’s cast-off little black dresses. But she still felt like a princess, especially with her new necklace. It was a statement piece, and several people had commented on how lovely it looked on her. However, she saw some confusion on others’ faces as they studied it. She’d been told many times it looked familiar and asked if it was a family heirloom. Maybe Mom had sent the gift. She’d call her tomorrow.
“You would have found Levi no matter what.” Mia smiled at her friend. “I’m glad your mom is on board for the wedding.”
“Oh, she’s not. She even said that she’d brought me into this family and pulled me out of Magic Springs for a reason. And that marrying someone from here was beneath me.” Christina rolled her eyes. “You’d think the woman was Mother Teresa for adopting rather than birthing her own children. Instead, she kept a slim waist and didn’t have to deal with morning sickness.”
“Wait, you know about the adoption?” Mia gasped.
“You didn’t?” Christina shrugged. “That makes sense. Isaac wasn’t as open about his origins. He didn’t want to believe it, so I got into Mom’s safe and showed him the court papers when he was in high school. He still wouldn’t admit it, but he knew I knew.”
“You are a complete mystery to me at times.” Mia hugged her, then rolled her eyes when Levi brought back three glasses of champagne. “You should cut her off. She can’t keep up with these people. They will magic away their hangovers. Christina’s going to feel hers.”
“Mom said she’d make her something. And since no one is driving anywhere, we’re going to have fun celebrating our engagement and the move to Portland. I got a call today. I got hired on at a fire station, as long as I pass my physical. Trent and I are going running in the morning.”
“Better you than me,” Christina said as she sipped her drink. “Mia, I’m going to miss you so much.”
“We can call and Facetime. Don’t think you’re going to get rid of me. Besides, Levi will drag you home for all the family holidays, and as long as I don’t dump Trent, I’ll be there too.” Mia felt someone’s arms around her. “Who is that?”
“You know who it is, or you wouldn’t have been saying horrible things about dumping me.” Trent kissed her neck. “Christina, you look beautiful.”
“You’re such a doll.” Christina leaned on Levi’s arm. “Let’s go dance.”
Mia and Trent took their glasses and set them on a nearby table. They watched as Christina and Levi slowly began to dance, their eyes only on each other.
“They look happy.” Trent put his arm around Mia. “My brother finally met his match. I didn’t think it would happen. I know Mom didn’t. Did you know Steve’s still single?”
“I’m shocked,” Mia teased.
“Don’t dog him. With Levi being the baby, Mom’s been harping on Steve and me to get our lives started.”
“Your lives are started. Your mom wants grandchildren.” Mia looked around the room. “Almost midnight. Soon the party will move outside for the coven meeting. Christina and Finn need to be kept inside.”
“Mom already has a plan for Finn, and Christina will be poured into bed soon. There was a method to Levi’s madness of letting her drink what she wanted.” Trent nodded toward the backyard. “Are you going out or staying inside with me?”
“I’m staying inside. I’m not ready to join yet, and I told Brandon and Sabrina that tonight. Neither one is taking it well. Please don’t let them drag me outside against my will, okay?”
“You’ve watched too many horror flicks. In real life, they would knock you out with Versed, then ask you to follow them out.” Trent grinned. “That way, they can control you without having to carry you anywhere.”
“That’s horrible. Now I’m not taking any more drinks from strangers.” She leaned against him. “Do you think anyone would notice if we snuck out now? I’m sure the pups need to be let outside. And how’s Buddy hiding in all this?”
“He’s in a tree, watching,” Trent said. “Cerby and I have been checking on him off and on all night. They had quite the conversation the last time we went out. I think some of our guests are using their cars for a little hanky-panky.”
“Now I really want to escape. What, do they think it’s prom night?”
“For some of these people, it is. Come on, we’ll let Mom know we’re leaving, then head upstairs and watch a movie. That way you don’t have to worry about being dragged out to the bonfire and inducted against your will.” He smiled as he took her arm to lead her out of the gym.
“Sure, maybe a horror movie, since it’s Halloween.” Mia glanced around the party. It looked like everything was fine. She waved to Jeani, who was standing by the wall, watching them leave. Small towns were hard. Everyone knew everything about your past. Unless, like Mia, you were new in town. Was that what was bothering her? Or was it Trent’s teasing about the coven? Something was making alarm bells go off in her head.
She hoped it wasn’t something important that she was missing. She wanted tonight to be over so they could get back to normal life. Well, that and find a killer. She shivered as they left the gym.
“Are you cold?” Trent took off his suit jacket and draped it around her shoulders. “I was burning up in there. Maybe you’re coming down with something.”
“I got a chill.” She nodded to the kitchen. “I’ll wait here. You go tell your mom we’re bailing. I don’t want to see the judgment in her eyes.”
“If we fooled around tonight and you got pregnant, that would make her happy.” Trent kissed her, then headed to the kitchen.
“You’re a dork,” Mia called after him.
