“Or what?” Gabby insisted.
“Or the cul-de-sac goes to hell,” Simon said shortly. “And before you laugh, I’ve seen it. It’s not anything you could do with special effects, and everyone—I mean, almost everyone—who lives in that little cul-de-sac is terrified. So he had to be there for the sunset ritual, and then he had to drive, which, as you know, he avoids to do his part for the environment, and for what? To drop his friends’ dog off on my doorstep and run away? For one thing, I don’t think she would have let him do that—she would have followed either him or his friends—and for another, I don’t think he has it in him to do it either. Everybody in his group of friends is super attached to the little dog, Gabby. You should have seen how happy they were to see her.”
“And surprised to see you,” she pointed out.
He shrugged. “Well, yes. But… but not shocked. There was no ‘But that’s impossible!’ There was only ‘But why would the magic do that?’”
“Hunh….” She chewed her lower lip, which was something she’d avoided since prep school because it destroyed her lipstick. “I mean, magic. That’s a little far-fetched.”
He brought out the big guns. “Gabby, how did you feel after you ate that first cinnamon roll today?”
She smiled dreamily. “It was weird. It was like one minute I was ready to strangle Chris and then, while he was gasping for breath, go out and throw Jasmine off a boat wearing a concrete helmet, and the next….” She scowled. “Well, I could still throw Jasmine off a boat, but I’m remembering now how vulnerable Chris is. His parents passed away, and he really lost his moorings, you remember? And Jasmine was everything he’s a sucker for—rich, brash, sassy—he just couldn’t see straight. It was like those rolls sort of flipped a switch inside me. Made me a better person.”
Simon nodded. “And Chris took a bite, and suddenly he….” He made an as-you-can-see sort of gesture.
“Calmed the fuck down?” Gabby laughed.
“Yeah, that.”
She nodded. “Yeah, that was, well, it was a long time coming, but it was like he could finally think.”
Simon nodded. “I… I was really just trying to lighten the tension when I offered you guys the cinnamon rolls. But Alex’s friend made them, and his boyfriend shoved the box in my hands on my way out, and I watched him bake. He was murmuring to himself the whole time about peace and contentment, and Alex said they hadn’t realized Bartholomew was one of their most powerful witches until they figured that he blessed everything he baked. So you were right. Those cinnamon rolls were—”
“Magic,” Gabby said, her enchanted smile washing away the last of her cynicism. “You’re right. I mean, that was magic right there. So you believe them—believe Alex—about all of this?”
Simon nodded. “We’ve known Alex for three years. In three years have we ever seen him be anything but practical?”
“No,” she murmured. “Which is why all of this is a surprise.” She caught his eye then. “So you’re still planning to date him?”
Simon’s smile spread over his cheeks, and because it was Gabby, he let out the goofy hyuck laugh that had plagued him from his teenaged years. “God, yes. I mean, I thought he was cute before, but now that I know he’s not all facts and figures and organization, he’s… he’s sexy.”
Her rich laughter spilled through his office. “That’s fantastic,” she said firmly but then added with a wicked smile, “as long as you ask his friend to keep supplying us with baked goods.”
Simon grinned, and then they both sobered at the same time. “Let me know if you need any help with Chris’s clients. I wish….” He groaned and raked his fingers through his hair.
“What?”
“I wish there was some way we could get Jasmine to admit she’s lying. Her entire divorce settlement hinges on her denial that he caught her in bed with her life coach—”
“Pilates instructor.”
“Yeah, sometimes I get mixed up and remember him as an accountant. Whatever. The hung stud who she was fucking. Anyway—you and I believe Chris because we’ve known him for years. A little superficial? Yes. But he’s got a good heart.”
She snorted. “Well, yeah. All this talk about magic—maybe you could get Alex and his friends to come up with a magic truth serum. That would be worth its weight in platinum.”
EVENTUALLY they both had to get to work, but about two hours after she left his office, he got a text from Alex.
Are you really going to stop by?
Was planning on it—not too long. Just, you know. Want to see you. Why?
The gang wants to give you something for bringing Glinda home. Any suggestions?
Simon didn’t have to think about it. I’m having Chris and Gabby over for movie night. Snacks?
Now I’m worried that you just want to get in good with Bartholomew.
And Simon had to laugh. Well, if it wasn’t magical, I’d still ask for it to get close to you. How’s that?
A long pause went by, and Simon became aware that even though he had a mountain of paperwork on his desk, he was sitting there staring breathlessly at the phone in his hand, muttering, “C’mon, Alex, c’mon, c’mon….”
Finally, the thought bubble resolved itself.
Okay. But tonight, you’ll have to settle for cookies.
“Yes!” Simon pumped his fist, grinning like an asshole. I’ll be by around six thirty. Want me to bring anything?
That’s kind, but no. Kate’s getting home early to put in a casserole. Save the pizza for your movie night. You and me can walk the dog after the sunset ritual.
Will do.
He pocketed the phone with a goofy little smile on his face, wondering when stealing twenty minutes to walk someone else’s dog had gotten to be the high point of his life.
ALEX was awake and dressed when Simon arrived at the cul-de-sac, two bottles of wine in a case next to him. He arrived just as the denizens of Sebastian Circle were setting up for the sunset ritual, and he got out of the car to stand next to Lachlan behind Lachlan’s truck and away from that terrifying figure eight of marching squirrels. Together, with Glinda at their feet, they watched curiously as the five remaining members of the coven stood, hands clasped, and recited, “Love keeps the darkness far away. Hearts keep the evil at bay,” three times before ending with “So may it be.” Jordan had called out the spell as they’d assembled, and this time, as Simon and Lachlan observed, Simon saw again that the light gathering in the center of their circle wasn’t electric, and it wasn’t fireworks. It really was magic.
Lachlan looked over at Simon with a raised eyebrow. “You’re invited to the meeting?”
Simon shook his head, a little embarrassed. “No. I’ve got movie night with my friends. But, uh, I brought some wine. I mean, bridge club, book club, witch club—wine has got to be a thing, right?”
Lachlan grinned. “I put beer in their fridge for just that reason. And I’ve got to run home too when they’re done with their magic meeting.” His grin faded. “You know, we live about a half mile away from each other. I recognize your car. Your house—dude, that’s like a castle!”