“Grams,” Eliza drew out as she reached for the lemon. “Can’t you be normal for, like, ten minutes?”
“Normal is overrated,” Aggie countered, scooting her chair out to sit down at the table. “You have Jake, and Ivy has Oliver. It’s Lexi’s turn.”
“If only,” I sighed, sipping my chamomile tea. “I’ve kissed plenty of toads this summer, but still no prince.”
“Not a single kiss left you breathless?” Aggie asked, watching me closely.
I ran through my many dates from the last few months as I bit into some shortbread. A few of the kisses had been okay, but none had given me goose bumps. Except for—
“Just one,” I blurted, immediately regretting it.
Eliza sat straighter, eyes widening. “Who was it?” she asked eagerly.
“If you say Justin, I’m going to stop talking to you,” Ivy warned from across the table.
“No, not Justin, and it doesn’t matter who it was. It was one kiss, and it would never work,” I babbled before shoving the entire cookie in my mouth to shut up.
“Why not?” Ivy asked. Eliza nodded at the question. I felt heat creeping up my neck and cheeks.
“We’re too different,” I replied after swallowing. “And he’s not from here. Not a successful match, you know?” I shrugged. “I’m destined to warm my own cottage. Let’s talk about something more fun, like your upcoming trip. Are you excited?”
Ivy pursed her lips as she studied me. “Who did you kiss, Lexi?”
“Ummmm,” I stammered, feeling her eyes practically lance through my brain. That look. I’d seen it before.
Ivy knew.
“Of course, it has to be him,” she said wryly. “Out of all your dates this summer, it ends up coming back to Cruz.”
Eliza sucked in a sharp breath and Aggie clapped her hands happily.
“I, uh,” I stuttered, grasping for something to say.
“I should kill him for kissing you. I really should.” Ivy’s expression was one of ice, which would probably explain why she used to be called Icy Ivy.
“It was one tiny kiss last May,” I gushed, surprised she’d figured it out. “Just a kiss in a summer of kisses. He happened to have better lips than the others. That’s all.” And he’d known how to use those lips, but I refrained from adding that. I shot Eliza a look, hoping for a change in subject.
“I bet his lips are luscious,” Aggie broke in, grinning conspiratorially. “That lip ring and those sensual muscles. Why, just last night I asked Cruz to open a jar of pickles so I could watch those forearms of his in action. The dragon tattoo on his arm—”
“Grams, you’re not helping,” Eliza admonished, turning to me. “So, are you two, like, hanging out now that he’s back in town?”
I shrugged. “He wants to, but I think we should keep it strictly business.”
“That’s a damn shame,” Aggie muttered, sipping her tea.
“Well, are you interested?” Eliza asked neutrally. In typical Eliza fashion, she was letting everything process before she formed an opinion. I stared at her, opening and closing my mouth.
“That answers that,” Ivy spouted.
“It’s more complicated than that,” I reasoned, tugging at my hair in agitation. “He’s Cruz. You’ve seen the websites! He has a new girl by his side every week. Yeah, he’s gorgeous, and man, he can kiss, but I don’t want to ruin our friendship.”
Eliza pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes before replying. “Then don’t give him your heart. You dated other guys this summer without falling in love. Look how much you’ve grown since May. Have some fun.” She smiled at me and wiggled her eyebrows. “I’m certain Cruz can provide that.”
Maybe she was right. Cruz had taken up more space in my brain than he should have the last few months. Then again, did I want to get caught up with someone who never settled down? He was on the road constantly for his show, and I couldn’t leave town. Well, I technically could, but not more than eighty miles away. Our relationship already had WARNING stamped across it. It wouldn’t work.
But I wanted to find out if he was what he appeared to be, even if I had to find out the hard way. We’d spoken often the last several months, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested. But my secret duty weighed heavy on my heart. Was it fair to date him knowing full well it would never amount to anything since I was bound to spend my life in Sage Springs?
“I think you should date him.” Ivy’s blunt statement caused everyone to turn their heads her direction.
“What?” I asked, dropping the shortbread I had picked up.
“I said, I think you should date him. As much as I’d like to tell you to stay away from him, I think you going out with him is inevitable.” Ivy crossed her arms, declaration made. She looked at Eliza, Grams, and me one by one before sighing in exasperation. “Come on, I can’t be the only one who sees it.”
“Sees what?” I asked, looking down for a stain on my shirt or something.
“The goofy grin you get when he texts you,” Ivy said in a disgusted tone.
“You knew?”
“Of course I did. It was obvious.” Ivy brought her teacup to her mouth and mumbled, “And I might have swiped your phone to see who was making you giggle like a hyena.”
“Ivy,” Eliza chided before turning to me. “You and Cruz had some definite sparks at Clove Crossing the other night, Lex. Anyone could see it.”
“It’s primal, the animal magnetism between you two,” Aggie added giddily, smacking the table. “I’d been wondering when you were going to come clean about that kiss.”
“You knew before today?” I asked, drawing my eyebrows together in confusion.
Ivy snorted. “Of course we did. You two decided to lock lips on the other side of the front door.” She met my hazel eyes with her silver ones. “The glass front door.”
I mentally banged my forehead on the table. Just my luck. “Why didn’t you say anything before now?” I looked around the table for an answer.
“She wouldn’t let us.” Ivy jerked her head toward Eliza, who had the grace to flush slightly.
“It wasn’t our business,” Eliza said to Ivy, raising her eyebrows.
“Anyway, now that the secret’s out, we can clear the air,” Ivy said, tapping her fingers on her cup. “After seeing you with your latest awful dating choice, Mr. Facial, I’ve come to the realization that maybe Cruz wouldn’t be so bad for you.” She leaned back in her chair thoughtfully. “No offense, but you have rotten luck when it comes to guys. Remember that guy you went on a date with two months ago who smelled like Bengay?”
“And that poor fellow who passed gas as he walked?” Aggie added, to which I grimaced. I’d lasted one hour on that date. I had been torn between dry heaving and laughing as my date farted his way into the restaurant.
“Oh, and the guy who used his grandson’s photos on the dating website,” Eliza piped in. “He was what, seventy?” I’d ended up introducing him to Dottie, the older lady who ran the herb shop next door to Wicks Before Pricks. Norman and Dottie had hit it off.
“And the guy who spit when he talked,” Ivy threw in.
“And then there was the one who—”
“Okay, okay, I get it.” I held up my hands in surrender. “I’ve had a rough summer, which only accompanied a bad dating life to begin with.”
“Precisely. So while you might not have been ready for someone like Cruz last spring, I think it’s safe to say you can handle him now,” Ivy cut in. “Go on. Have fun. Make goo-goo eyes at my idiot of a friend from St. Louis.” She motioned for me to skedaddle.
“I don’t know …” I sought out Eliza’s tranquil eyes. She always thought everything through before giving an opinion, and I knew I could trust her view on this, especially since she knew everything, even my guardianship.
“I have to agree with Ivy. Go for it, sweetie. But be smart about it.” Eliza giggled and grinned. “And don’t be shy about the details of your latest romance at our next girl talk
.”
“Yuck. You’re turning into your grandmother,” Ivy accused, blanching. “I don’t want to hear anything that involves touching. He’s, like, an annoying brother to me.” She eyed me, her expression gentle. “But have fun. You deserve it.”
Maybe Aggie had spiked the tea or something. Why else would I be getting the go-ahead from my friends to test the waters with Cruz? The same friends who knew I was a guardian and tethered to Sage Springs.
“My, my. Someone’s getting awfully soft in her marital stage in life,” Oliver teased Ivy, coming up behind her chair. She rolled her eyes at him before he took her hand and kissed it as she stood. “My little matchmaker. Your chariot awaits, ladies.”
Eliza pushed in her chair and hugged Aggie before coming around the table to hug me.
“Be good,” she whispered into my ear. “But not too good.” She chuckled softly.
“Do you really think it’s a good idea, with … you know?” I asked quietly as she pulled back.
She studied me for a moment with her peaceful blue eyes. “Yeah, I think it’ll be fine, Lex. You can’t stop living your life because of your duty.” Her eyes widened slightly, conveying unspoken words. I nodded, understanding. “Besides, he might be that ‘something different’ you’ve been looking for.” She hugged me again.
“I need to grab my earbuds before I’m trapped in a car for three hours with people who enjoy country music,” Ivy announced before heading toward the hallway. “See you, Princess Sparkles. Later, Aggie.” She waved as Oliver wrapped me up in a bear hug and passed me to Jake, who spun me around as he came into the room.
“See you, little cousin,” Jake said. “Stay out of trouble.”
“Not if I can help it,” Aggie mumbled from the sink where she was rinsing dishes.
Jake raised an eyebrow at me before Eliza tugged his hand, running interference. “Let’s get going, handsome. A beautiful winery and relaxation await us.” She winked at me as she trailed out of the room behind Jake. I took my teacup to the sink, told Aggie I’d see her soon, and then walked into the foyer on my way out.
“Like I said, if you hurt her, so help me. I’ll break off your d—”
“Jeez, Ivy, I got it, okay?”
“Just don’t be an asshole about this. She’s a good person.” I stopped in my tracks as I heard the hushed conversation between Ivy and Cruz. I couldn’t see them, but there was no doubt the voices belonged to them. “She’s different, Cruz. She’s got a heart made of rainbows and puppies and shit like that. Don’t mess this up.”
“I know.” The sound of him releasing a deep breath tiptoed down the stairwell my direction. “She’s all I’ve—”
“Ivy, are you about ready?” a voice called from my left. Startled, I let out a little yip and turned to see Oliver standing in the foyer with a knowing grin on his face. I pleaded with him silently, hoping he got the message to keep my snooping under wraps. He winked. Secret’s safe, he mouthed my direction.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m coming. I had to take care of something first,” Ivy shouted as she bounded down the stairs two at a time. She stopped a few steps from the bottom and shot me a small smile. “See you, Sunshine.” Her voice lacked the mocking tone it usually held when she called me that. She snagged the hand Oliver offered and led him out the door.
Peeking up the stairs, I saw Cruz watching me with a thoughtful expression—soft eyes and all. His white front teeth bit down on his lush lower lip. The lip ring glinted, begging for me to touch it. Seeing him look so pensive made me want to kiss him with as much fervor as someone who plunges into a cheesecake after being on a yearlong diet.
I was a goner.
“See you later,” I rasped as I raced out the door.
CHAPTER 9
Thankfully, I hadn’t seen Cruz on set when I’d spent a whopping six minutes dropping off the cakes and other sweets later that day. Alex had pulled me aside to special order the strawberry rhubarb bread I’d made the day before, claiming it tasted exactly like his mother’s.
I wasn’t entirely sure what I was going to say to Cruz, so I decided to throw myself into Sweet Stuff’s online orders and prepping for catering for the crew. Staying busy was a wonderful way to stop thinking about my disastrous love life while my best friends were off falling deeper in love with their soul mates on a romantic getaway.
But I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of their relationships. Eliza had tried to dodge love for years, only to end up coming back to town and falling hard for my cousin, who had been waiting for her with open arms. Ivy had sarcasm down to a science, but even her tough exterior was no match for the charming card player who was born more than a hundred years before she was. Thank goodness Ivy had gotten the spring water to keep Oliver alive.
“Don’t you look serious,” Dorothy observed, drifting into the kitchen.
I tipped my mouth into a grin as I stirred cinnamon into the golden batter of pumpkin puffs. “Just thinking,” I replied.
“Anything important?” Dorothy asked, sweeping a hand over her burgundy sweater vest. “Are you having second thoughts about the arrangement?”
“No,” I answered quickly, wiping brown sugar from the counter. “I’m happy with my choice. It’s an honor.”
“Good,” Dorothy said, nodding her approval. “It’s not a responsibility to be taken lightly, you know. There’s not much required other than staying around Sage Springs, but that part is crucial.”
“I know,” I replied. “I’m committed.”
“Those look divine,” my great-aunt said, eyeing the puffs I pulled from the oven and dropping the subject. “What I wouldn’t give for a day of gluttony. I do miss eating.”
“But there are other cool things you can do,” I offered, trying to make her feel better. “Like popping from one location to the next. Heck, you could even play pranks on people if you wanted.” My grin faded as I noticed Dorothy’s sour expression. “Okay, fine, maybe no practical jokes for you.”
I was saved from responding further by the ringing of the doorbell. Okay, it wasn’t really a bell. It was more along the lines of the chorus from one of my favorite Starla Stigmata songs. It had taken Oliver and Jake an entire day to figure out how to get it installed, but now I could dance my way to the door when someone stopped by.
“Company this late at night?” My great-aunt frowned and placed her hands on her hips. “I suppose I’ll make myself scarce.” She puffed out of sight.
Ignoring her comment, I twirled my way to the front of the house, remembering it was nine o’clock and my friends were out of town. Curious as to who would visit, I peeked around the curtain.
I was treated to the sight of a dark angel standing on my doorstep. The night’s silver light glinted off Cruz’s skin and lip ring, making him look like a menacing package awaiting unwrapping.
I ducked away from the curtain and shook my head. I needed to get out more.
And maybe stop reading so many paranormal romance novels.
I threw open the door and pasted a huge smile on my face. “Hey.”
“Hey. Why’s there so much magic—” Cruz’s speech faltered as he gave me a once-over that turned into a twice-over.
Puzzled, I glanced down at my normal baking outfit—a tank top and shorts splattered in batter. It got hot in the kitchen when I was standing and baking for several hours, so I dressed comfortably.
“Come in, come in.” I waved him into my oven-warmed house. Running a hand over the back of his neck, he stepped inside.
“Why’s there so much magic surrounding your place?” he asked, gazing around the inside of the cottage.
I bit my lip. “Oh, you know Ivy.” I shrugged, avoiding eye contact. “She wanted me to be safe out here.” The practiced answer slipped from my lips after I snapped out of my Cruz-induced flustered state.
“Why such a strong protection spell?” He crossed his arms and cocked his head to the side as he grilled me.
“You tell me, Mr. Witch. I just live here,” I s
aid lightly, knowing he could feel the essence and magnitude of Ivy’s spell. “Come on into the kitchen. I’ve got some things in the oven, and I might even let you try a couple.” His eyes lit up and the current topic of conversation was forgotten in a flash.
I led the way into the kitchen, and I heard Cruz whistle softly. I turned to see what was causing such a reaction as I stepped behind the shelter of the kitchen counter. He offered me a grin as his eyes swept up to meet mine. He’d been checking me out.
“Nice place you got here,” he said as he looked around.
“Thanks. How’d you know where I live?”
He smirked. “I’m staying at Aggie’s inn, remember? She sent me.”
My eyebrows spiked as I put it together. That sweet old woman was meddling. “Why?”
“She thought I should check on you since Ivy and Eliza are out of town. Thought you might be lonely.” He pulled up a stool at the kitchen counter and leaned onto his elbows, steepling his fingers. “And I wanted to hang out in a low-key way. I hope you don’t mind. Aggie said you’d be home working.” His eyes traveled over the cookies and puffs cooling on wire racks.
“Help yourself,” I chuckled, pushing an empty plate toward him.
“Thanks,” Cruz said, sliding some treats off the racks. “Everyone loves your stuff, by the way. And you. Even Alex was singing your praises today.”
“That’s nice to hear.” I placed some dough on a baking sheet and slid it into the oven, all the while feeling Cruz’s eyes on me. “So, do you have big plans for the evening?” I leaned my hip against the counter, taking a moment to appreciate the way Cruz’s scent mingled with the cinnamon smell of my kitchen.
“Nope. Just hanging here with you, provided you don’t mind.” His eyes searched mine.
“I don’t mind.”
“Awesome. I don’t get the chance to chill with people I really know when I’m on the road shooting, you know?”
“You’ll probably be bored to tears watching me bake,” I surmised, turning to the sink to wash a pan.
“Actually, it sounds amazing. It would be even better, though, if you’d let me sample more of the goods,” he rumbled. My breath caught and my eyes darted over to his right before he chuckled. “Whatever you’ve got over there looks delicious.” He pointed to the cream cheese-pumpkin puffs on the far side of the counter. I internally groaned at my silly assumptions.
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