Page 51 of Spellbound After Midnight

I scoffed. “You know I’m scared of horses, and I hardly think the Ladies Tea Society would accept a witch.”

“You know what I mean, and the Tea Society is a bunch of bores who think fashion is a conversation starter. You’re better off without them.”

“Maybe so, but none of that helps me with my current situation.” I snarled and tossed up my hands. “It’s official, I have nothing to wear. I’m going to have to use a spell.”

“You are?” Vivian cringed. “You know, the satin gown didn’t make you lookthatdrab.”

“It did. I saw the look on your face.” I rubbed my hands together, bringing the first sparks of magic to life.

“Hold on, what if you accidentally turn us into mice? I can’t live on cheese alone.”

That made me pause. “I probably won’t.”

“Comforting. Let me step behind the changing screen before you go full-spell.” She scurried for cover. Her faith in me had reached a new low.

Closing my eyes, I took a cleansing breath. How hard could it be? I’d transformed Ella’s gown, and while that scenario hadn’t worked out exactly in her favor, she had looked good. Behind my eyelids, I imagined an emerald gown with an empire waist, lace gloves that skimmed past my elbows, and a crown of crystal flowers woven through my auburn curls.

I popped one eye open. Nothing yet. What was I doing wrong? I refocused, channeling all of my mental energy. Sensation flowed through my body, starting in my fingers and rushing to my feet. Light shot from my palms.

Vivian screeched and poked her head from behind the screen. “You did it, and nothing is broken!”

“Don’t seem so shocked.” I gazed into the mirror and smoothed the silken fabric at my waist. The dress molded perfectly to my frame.

“Derrick’s eyes are going to pop out of his head when he sees you,” Vivian said, walking over to me.

“Let’s hope so. It will make our act easier.”

Her lips thinned. “You two are playing a risky game. The lines might blur.”

The lines had already blurred, starting with the kiss in my shop and fading into oblivion after our trip through the market.

A knock interrupted our conversation.

Vivian squeezed my shoulders. “Looks like Prince Charming has arrived.”

I swatted her hands away. “Don’t call him that.”

“Why? He can’t hear us.” She gave me a nudge and winked. “Good luck. I want details.Allthe details.”

Wiping my slick palms on my gown, I descended the staircase, pausing to do a final dress check before opening the door. Derrick stood in the cool night air, dressed completely in black. His formal jacket was perfectly tailored across his broad shoulders, giving him a dark, roguish appearance. My heart pounded as his gaze traveled agonizingly slow from the top of my head to the tips of my satin heels.

His jaw tightened. “You look…”

At his pause, I filled in the silence. “I believe the word you’re looking for is fine. If I remember correctly, you said I always lookfine.”

He stepped over the threshold, lifting a hand to tuck a stray curl behind my ear. As he did so, his finger traced the outer shell of my earlobe.

“Then I’m a fool. You’re beautiful.”

A smile spread across my lips. “I’ll remember you said that, Detective.”

“This is a bad idea.” He scrubbed a hand through his hair.

“The worst,” I whispered.

Vivian appeared out of nowhere, rushing forward with my coat. She draped it over my shoulders, then pushed me. Hard. I stumbled into Derrick, forcing him to steady me as I shot her a furious glare.

“Have fun, kids. Bring me back a killer.” She hustled us onto the porch, mouthing, “Be careful,” before slamming the door in our faces.