Page 23 of Hex Appeal

“Of course I do. Why wouldn’t I?” Her smile turns mischievous. “Just because you think my sister and I are—what did you say?—a little woo-woo for your taste? It doesn’t mean I want you to get hurt.”

I cringe. “I didn't mean it like⁠—”

“Yes, you did. And that's okay. We're unapologetically woo-woo.”

She smiles. And, hell.

The laughter in those green eyes catches the light like one of the crystals hanging in her shop.

It hits me like a punch to the gut. And somewhere considerably more dangerous. My heart.

I close my fingers around the fire agate. “Thank you.”

Her expression softens. “You're welcome.”

For a second, neither of us says anything. The noise of the bar seems to fade around us.

I should look away. I don't.

“Look, I think we got off to a wrong start.”

“Why would you say that?” She tilts her head mischievously. “Is it because you accused my sister and me of setting the town on fire with my candles?”

I wince. “I deserved that.”

“Maybe.”

She reaches for her drink.

“But I'm also a believer in second chances.” Her gaze meets mine over the rim of the glass. “And you deserve one of those, too.”

FIVE

SERENA

Watching Welles experience Spellbound After Hours is a joy.

I mean, I love our shop. I never take it for granted. But there’s something really special about watching someone else experience the transformation for the first time.

It makes all the nights of dreaming and lost sleep worth it.

“You seem surprised.”

“Yeah.” He shrugs. “It’s crazy to believe it’s the same place…”

“It’s all smoke and mirrors.”

He gives me a look.

“Poor choice of words?”

“For a place currently under investigation by the fire chief? Maybe.”

I grin.

The transformation is surprisingly simple. The pale cupboards behind the counter that look like part of the wall during the day open to reveal rows of liquor bottles, glassware, and everything Valerie needs to work her magic. We roll out the bar mats, bring the velvet stools out of storage, and rearrange a few pieces of furniture.

The biggest change comes from above.