Page 25 of Wishing for a Werewolf (Ferndale Falls Forever #2)

Autumn

The other Witch Bitches are still chattering about seeing two of our high school teachers get it on when we return to I Touch My Shelf.

I head straight for the bathroom in the back where I left Babybelle, who was far too hyper on sugar to take near sprites or leave alone with all of Naomi’s books.

The door opens on a snow flurry. “What the hell?”

The black and white center of the storm stops spinning, and tiny pieces of shredded toilet paper float down to cover every surface, turning the bathroom into a recently shaken snow globe now settling.

Several white flakes dot Babybelle’s back, and one even lands on her nose, temporarily ruining her attempt to give me big, innocent eyes.

“Oh, don’t even.” I fling my arm wide to take in the mess. “What is all of this? Why didn’t you chew the treats I left?”

“I got bored.” She snorts and shakes like a dog coming out of the rain, sending bits of paper flying. “You took ages!”

“It was half an hour!”

“See.” She jabs a hoof toward me. “Ages!”

I grab a hand broom and dustpan and get to work cleaning up her mess, unearthing the dental treats, which don’t have a single effing bite mark on them. I mutter, “Figures.”

Actually, I’m kind of glad for the distraction.

Everyone else is amused by what happened on the green and still talking happily about it, the distant hum of their conversation punctuated by bursts of laughter.

I would have been the same only a week ago, horny Autumn laughing along with the rest of them.

But now…

Now I can’t help thinking about how magic can make someone do something they wouldn’t otherwise do. Seeing the Faerie Fruit turn those people on the green into mindless lust-bunnies hit really close to home.

Too close.

All the happiness of earlier today, all the hope that Rune might be falling for me…

What if the wish swap is projecting my heart wish for true love onto him? What if everything that’s happening isn’t what Rune really feels? He didn’t start drawing me until after the spell took effect.

Hell, the grumpy werewolf didn’t even talk to me until after the spell.

And it’s not like we can have a conversation and get it all sorted out—if he’s caught up in my heart wish, anything he says will be the magic talking, not him.

I moan. God, this is such an effing mess!

“I’m sorry.” Babybelle presses her body against my thigh. Unlike her earlier fake-innocent act, real remorse colors her voice. “I didn’t mean to make such a mess.”

“Oh, sweetie.” I drop the hand broom and scoop her into my arms, cuddling her close and pressing my cheek to her soft forehead. “You’re right that I’m upset, but it’s not about you.”

She taps a hoof to my chest. “Promise?”

“Promise.”

Her tiny body relaxes, and she licks my chin in a little goat kiss.

“Hey,” Skye says softly behind me, “you okay? Everyone’s leaving.”

Babybelle squirms from my arms and goes racing into the front of the shop, demanding pets. “Me! Me! Me!”

I chuckle, sweep up the last bits of toilet paper, and go to say goodbye, asking Skye and Hannah to hang back for a bit.

Kayla gives me a long hug, which is kind of new for her, and keeps holding my shoulders as she pulls back to see my face. “If you need any help coming up with safe ways to practice your magic, shoot me a text.”

“Thanks, that’s really sweet of you.”

She looks a little embarrassed as she drops her hands and gives a one-shoulder shrug. “All my gaming experience makes me good at stuff like that.”

“Any good with guy troubles?” If so, I’ll ask her to stay.

“Oh hell, no.” She shakes her head and hurries from the shop.

After a deluge of hugs goodbye, I’m finally alone with my besties.

“What’s going on?” Skye asks, her expression troubled.

Hannah sits down and pats the couch cushion beside her. “Spill.”

I settle down between them, Babybelle on my lap, and wonder how to talk about it all.

My eyes flick over to all the cocktail fixings, wishing I didn’t have to drive, because I could seriously use a drink.

Or three drinks, with how weak I make them.

Stupid magic, always messing up. No matter what Kayla says, it’s—

“Stop hamster wheeling.” Hannah nudges her shoulder against mine. “Whatever it is, you can tell us.”

I offer her a wry smile. “Was I that obvious?”

“Yep.” She pops the P and circles a finger in the air in front of her face. “You had stubborn Autumn going on.”

“Or is it upset Autumn?” Skye asks.

“Yeah, that one.” I scratch Babybelle’s forehead, taking comfort in how she leans into me. “Okay, so remember all that stuff about how wonderful my date with Rune was?”

“How could we forget?” Skye clasps her hands together in front of her chest, and I can almost see hearts forming in her eyes. “You woke up to him drawing you! It’s so romantic.”

“It is. If it’s real.” I sigh. “You were right about the Wishing Well granting three wishes.”

A tiny crease pinches her brow, her blue eyes full of concern.

“I did make a third wish. I wished someone would fall head-over-heels in love with me.” My words trip over themselves, pouring from me.

“What if that’s all yesterday was? What if the wish swap tangled him up in my heart wish, too?

” I throw up my hands. “He might not even like me! He sure as shit didn’t talk to me before the spell.

So what if it’s the magic making him do all of this? ”

“It’s not.” The blonde shakes her head.

“You can’t know that.”

“He stared at you all the freaking time before the spell,” Hannah says. “He’s been interested in you for a while.”

“Maybe.” My lips twist.

“I think you’re wrong, but I also get that you want to know for sure.” Hannah lays a hand on my shoulder and gives me a little shake. “We’ll finish Operation Wish Swap and break the spell. Then you’ll know.”

“It’s all going to work out,” Skye says. “I feel it.”

“Thanks for staying late, you two.” I sit forward.

“It’s over?” Babybelle jumps to the floor. “I want my cookie!”

“Nuh uh, little missy. Not after the stunts you pulled with the cupcake and the toilet paper.”

“What stunts?” She gives me the most innocent eyes.

I laugh. “I’m onto you.”

When I stand, Hannah and Skye tackle me from either side in a big group hug.

“Thanks, you guys.” Tears prickle my eyes as I bathe in the comfort of their care.

They’re right. I have to figure out how to break the wish swap spell. It’s more important than ever.

It’s the only way I’ll know if what’s happening between me and Rune is real.