Page 93 of The Soulmate Bakery

Twin flushes burned mine and Orion’s faces as we realized that we were, in fact, gaining some attention. Most people were still on Main Street, celebrating the festival. But I could see Granny Fable on the opposite pavement, sitting on a bench, looking like she was enjoying the show.

Great. By tomorrow morning, the whole town would know what transpired.

‘Still, in return for Orion’s generous help, Maya agreed to save a small business,’ Mum said, turning to look at me. ‘I just went to speak to the owner of the Treasure Trove, where I was informed, quite enthusiastically, that Maya single-handedly saved the Treasure Trove. I was then accosted by her charms teacher, who was pleased to say Maya had finally gained that confidence she was lacking.’

My chest was beginning to ache again with that feeling of finally doing something right. It felt like a victory unlike anything else.

‘I was wrong, Maya,’ Mum said, uncaring of the people around us. ‘The last person I spoke to before coming here was Chief Inspector Hawthorne, who was telling me all about how he was supporting Orion with his ventures of becoming a teacher. And it hit me that I didn’t support you the way that you needed. I didn’t build your confidence; I tried to make you smaller because I thought it would be easier for you. But you pushed yourself. You’ve become a phenomenal witch, and I’m sorry that I didn’t see that until others told me. But I promise I won’t make that same mistake again.’

I had no words to give – this was everything I wanted to hear. And sure, I wished she’d believed me before she’d left the house. I wished Mum hadn’t needed to find evidence to prove what I was saying was the truth. But she had, and she was strong enough to admit that she was wrong.

‘I’m sorry for lying to you,’ I said, finally.

Mum smiled. ‘This one isn’t on you, sweetheart. It’s my job to make sure you feel safe enough to come to me. It’s something I’m going to work on.’

Orion’s hand squeezed mine when he saw my eyes turn suspiciously wet. Mum’s eyes were a little watery too, but she steadied herself.

She turned back to Inspector Vale.

‘So, to recap,’ Mum added, with a note of finality in her tone. ‘My daughter’s only crime was casting a spell wrong.’

Inspector Vale looked like he’d swallowed a lemon. ‘Yes, well, the Coven would need to be notified.’

‘They have been.’ This came from Chief Inspector Hawthorne. Behind me, Orion sucked in a sharp breath. ‘Madam Mayor approached me about this situation, and it appeared that we both had a lot to discuss about our children.’

I saw the way he looked at Orion, and I wasn’t sure if there was an apology in his eyes, but there was an understanding.

‘As I was saying,’ he said, sternly, to the crowd that was growing rowdy. ‘Upon hearing Madam Mayor’s explanation, I felt it was only fair to request leniency from the Coven. Maya’s shown herself to be a capable witch, and if her only desire was to find her true love in all of this, then who were we to fault her?’

‘It was decided that Maya Reverie would not get a third point on her licence,’ Mum said.

Relief made my knees feel wobbly, like they were made of custard. The only thing keeping me upright was the tether that joined Orion and me together.

‘Her punishment will involve community service,’ Mum added, eyeing me. ‘She will be working on beach clean-ups for thirty-six hours over the winter break.’

I kept an almost-comical frown on my face to not betray just how much I would enjoy a beach clean-up. I turned to the left, my gaze catching Raven’s – who still stood in my doorway, with Sofia at her side; thinking about our shell collection that we would get a head start on.

‘So,’ Mum said, cheerfully. ‘I think this has been enough excitement for one night. If you have a problem with any of this, you can reach me at my office, Inspector Vale. Tomorrow.’

There was a hard edge to her voice that made it clear she wasn’t going to entertain anything else tonight. Vale looked disgruntled, but he understood when he wasn’t going to win a fight. With a dramatic huff, he spread his wings out wide and shot up into the air.

When he was finally gone, there was an eerie silence that pervaded over us. I didn’t notice as Ivy slipped away, or as Raven and Sofia went back inside. The only people I was focused on were Chief Inspector Hawthorne and my mother. The two of them shared a look that I refused to decipher.

‘Ten minutes,’ Chief Inspector Hawthorne declared. ‘I’m going to wait in the car, and I think ten minutes is fair.’

‘Ten minutes,’ Mum agreed, shooting me a look. ‘Probably enough time to untie that knot, wouldn’t you say?’

My face was bright red, and I didn’t dare look at Orion. But I felt him behind me; the way his body was all languid confidence, I could tell he was smiling. The kind of smug smile that I wanted to wipe off with a remark and trace with my fingertips all at the same time. That was the infuriating paradox of being in love with Orion Hawthorne.

‘I suppose I could survive with a dragon shifter for a son-in-law,’ Mum finally settled on, and I felt my eyes go wide. Chief Inspector Hawthorne laughed so loudly that I was officially ready for the ground to swallow me up whole.

‘Mum,’ I hissed.

But then I felt Orion’s hand squeeze mine. I looked up at him and found his half-moon smile. Chief Inspector Hawthorne took that as his cue to go to his car, and Mum slipped around us.

When we were finally alone, the reality of what had just happened dawned on us.

‘We did it,’ I said, a disbelieving laugh leaving my lips. ‘We did it, and the town isn’t cursed, and you’re not going to become a chief detective, and it doesn’t look like Ivy hates me. My mum apologized, and I actually feel hopeful about our relationship. We actually did it.’