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Chapter Three

“I’ll go hunt down a spot,” Brayden said, separating from Alistair and Danny before either could protest. Their friend, folding chairs in hand, crossed the crowd-dense Sherwood Boulevard toward Wilshire Park, where hopefully they’d get a few good seats to see the parade from.

The sun had barely set, the sky spattered with fiery orange and neon pink through lacey clouds, but spectators lined the streets along the parade route. With the main roads blocked off in preparation for the caravan of brightly-lit floats, vendors strolled up and down, selling blinking accessories and balloons, while many local food spots offered snacks to those waiting for the show to begin. Kids played chase while kittens and cats—both those troublesome Sherwoods and the normal domestic type—swiped at the vendors for scraps or tumbled along the street between the patter of children’s feet.

The laughter and elation that suffused the air brought a smile to Alistair’s mouth. The muted scent of the ocean twined through the richer aromas of food. Christmastime in Cat’s Paw Cove had to be one of the most magical times of the year. The town boasted plenty of magic on a daily basis, but this was different. A warm, cozy magic that opened his mind to possibilities and the dangerous illusion of granted wishes.

“There’s Annie. Come on. I told her we’d meet her at Pie in the Sky,” Danny said, giving his stomach a pat. “I’m starved.”

“Definitely up for a few slices,” Alistair agreed, letting his friend lead the way through the thickening throng.

The trip along the sidewalk to the storefront three doors down was as treacherous as a dive during a hurricane. He got smacked in the back with a beach chair, tripped by two squalling cats, and was nearly run over by a pack of children.

When he finally made it through that storm, he stumbled around a group of teens and barely caught himself against the wall of the pizza joint before mowing down a customer. Said customer splayed a hand on his chest, steadying him.

A jolt of heat poured through his skin, spread down his legs, and rattled his brain enough for his vision to fade. A few blinks later, he found himself staring down into an incredible set of warm honeyed eyes.

“I-I’m terribly…” His tongue dried in his mouth, leaving his voice scratchy and thick. “Sorry.”

The woman grinned, a sweep of red crossing her cheeks as she lowered her head. Her hand slipped away, leaving an unforgiving ache in its absence.

“Just returning the favor from earlier,” she said, her voice melodic and sensual. He’d never heard such an appealing sound in his life. Then again, he hadn’t paid attention before. But there was something about this woman… “I should get inside.”

“Let me get the door for you. I’m heading that way myself,” Alistair offered, catching the door as it swung closed after a group left the packed joint.

The woman slipped past him into the pizzeria, her fingers tying and untying at her waist. Nerves? He smiled to himself, stealing a few seconds to look her over. Petite, delicate even, that mane of shining mahogany hair tied up in a ponytail that fell midway down her back. Even in the crowded pizza joint, she moved with a fluid and captivating grace. Twist here, sidle there, until she stopped.

Right beside Annie and Danny.

Danny waved him over, but his feet anchored him to the tiled floor. The two women chatted, their voices washed out by the loud clings and clatters and cross conversations taking place in the small eatery.

“Dude! Come on!”

Danny’s bellow shocked him out of the trance, the wonder, and he crossed the small distance to join his friend. Annie draped an arm over her friend’s narrow shoulders, her smile blinding as she looked at him.

“You met my dearest friend, Niera, I hear.” She giggled. “Niera, this is Alistair, one of Danny’s surf coach buddies and a close friend.”

“To finally have a name with a face,” Niera said, holding out her hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”

Alistair grasped her hand. Judging by the quirk of Danny’s brow and the curious glance he shared with Annie, maybe too eagerly.

“Same to you.” He might have held her warm hand longer than appropriate, but she didn’t seem in any hurry to pull away. In fact, the longer he stared at her, the darker her eyes grew as her pupils expanded and the rose along the delicate curve of her cheeks deepened. A heat unlike any the sun provided or the sea in the dead of summer enticed poured from his fingers up his forearm, and further still, spreading like thick syrup through his veins.

It infused life he never realized he lacked. The rush of energy lingered, swelled, until all he could think about was bringing the woman closer to see if all these strange things were a gift. From her.

A throat cleared.

Niera jerked her hand from his and shuffled back a step, her eyelids fluttering. She shook her head, rubbed the back of her neck, and her lips tilted in a smile that lacked conviction. She hitched a thumb toward the bathroom at the back of the pizzeria.

“Um, I’ll be right back.” Casting Alistair a shaded glance, she twisted and melted into the dense crowd.

Danny snickered, punching his shoulder. “Wow, you reallyareterrible with the ladies.”

He would have scowled had Annie’s reaction not captured his attention. A worried crease marred her forehead and her bottom lip suffered the brunt of her concern at the edge of her white teeth.

“I’ve never seen her react like that before,” she muttered. She patted Danny’s arm. “Take care of ordering?”

She went after her friend before Danny could open his mouth. His friend shrugged and smiled.