Page 69 of Hungry As Her Python

“I’m on it,” Donny said.

She gave me one last squeeze and strutted toward the mess like she was about to audition for Witches Who Clean, Season One.

With a few graceful movements and a little muttered magic, she had the dumpster spotless.

Sparkling.

Like it belonged in a fancy downtown coffee shop instead of behind my bakery.

And there I’d been, doing everything by hand like a chump, when all I needed was my friends.

“How come friend can do magic?” Petyr’s voice came out of nowhere, making me jump.

“Oh, that’s ’cause the personal gain foul only happens when you use magic selfishly. Donny’s helping Bella out, so it’s all good,” Evie explained with a small smile.

“Da, makes sense. Oh, I found this by the dumpster, my Witchy.”

Petyr held up an empty tuna can and a pile of old scratch-offs like they were rare artifacts.

“Why is someone eating fish and gambling behind my business?”

“Yeah, is there a secret alleyway bingo club I don’t know about? You know, I’m the mayor, and I’m pretty sure you need a permit for that,” Evie added.

“Okay, something is going on in Castor’s Corner,” I murmured. “Something weird.”

“Well, weirder than usual. Especially if it involves tuna,” Evie said, grabbing the can and sniffing it.

Gross.

I was still frowning and tapping my chin when Evie’s stomach let out a growl loud enough to make the local crows take off. Her cheeks turned bright pink.

“Let’s go inside,” I said, plucking the garbage from her hands and tossing it in the dumpster. “It’s almost time for me to start my day anyway, and I’ll make you all some fresh donuts.”

“Thank gawd,” Donny moaned, rushing towards us, and Evie clapped like she’d just won the jackpot.

We waved at the boys, knowing they’d heard us and would come in once they wrapped up.

Inside, our familiars joined the cozy chaos, and within twenty minutes, I had the first batch of fried goodness cooling on the racks.

I headed to the walk-in fridge and pantry, hauling out today’s flavor lineup.

“Ooh, what are you making today, Bella?” Evie asked, rubbing her tummy with theatrical flair.

I shot Donny a look over my shoulder—Evie was acting squirrelly.

Like, extra squirrelly.

Donny just shrugged, her newly blonde hair bouncing, which told me even she didn’t know what was going on.

“You’ll see,” I said, flipping the donuts before heading back to prep toppings.

Donny took over tea duty while Evie stared at the counter like she was mentally marrying each topping.

I’d pulled ingredients for Hazelnut Chocolate Heaven, Candied Apple Pie, Bananas Foster (yes, with my new extract), and, of course, Lemon Meringue Logs.

“Ooh, can I make a special request?” Evie asked just as the boys came in.

“Sure,” I said, already bracing myself.