Page 32 of Christmas Magic

“It’s the holiday season? She was generous?” When her friend’s frown deepened, Cora shrugged. “It really doesn’t matter. Not to me, anyway.”

“I hope you’re not going to put them on baking for the historical society party and expect magic to happen. I know you’ve been lonely, but that is not—”

“I used some on sugar cookies.”

“I see. And?”

“I took the cookies to Lucian this morning.” Cora grinned. “I can’t wait to see what happens. I had to tell you, because if the sprinkles work—”

“Cora! It’s not right of you to pursue Lucian.”

“Oh, Roberta.”

“He and Molly are happy together and planning to marry. You need to accept he’s unavailable.”

A bitter taste settled in Cora’s mouth. “Since we’re good friends, I thought you would be thrilled for me.”

Dismay etched Roberta’s features. “I want you to be happy, Cora. I’d love for you to be swept up in a wonderful romance with a man who adores you. Lucian, though, isn’t the one for you. There are plenty of other men—”

“I want only him.”

Roberta shook her head. With the pop of joints, she stood. “I need to be on my way. I have things to do this morning.”

“You won’t tell anyone about the sprinkles, will you?”

The gray-haired woman slung her purse strap over her shoulder. “I won’t say a word. I won’t need to, though, because we both know there’s no such thing as magic—especially magical sprinkles.”

Molly yawned and put a plate in the dishwasher. “It’s only eight o’clock, but I can barely keep my eyes open.”

At the kitchen sink, Lucian scrubbed the saucepan she’d used to cook their Chicken Marsala dinner. “We had a busy day. Great that we got so many shoppers in the store, though.”

Another yawn threatened, and Molly covered her mouth with her hand. Between the customers and the phone calls, she’d barely had ten minutes to sit in the back room and eat the salad she’d packed for her lunch. Lucian, thankfully, had coaxed her take a break while he’d handled the store.

He glanced over his shoulder. “Any more dishes?”

“Only Cora’s plate. We’d talked about putting the cookies in a plastic container.”

His hands covered in soap bubbles, Lucian turned away from the sink.

“Hey, you’re dripping on the floor. How many times—?”

He flicked his fingers. Water and soapy froth hit her cheek.

Lucian grinned like a smug panther.

Drying her face, Molly mock-frowned, even as a wicked tingle raced through her. She loved when Lucian got mischievous. “Now why did you do that?”

His grin widened. “I was practicing my water magic.”

She folded her arms. “I’ve never heard of water magic. I must ask my fiancé about it.”

“He’ll tell you it’s special.” Without drying his hands, he took a step closer. “Only certain badasses have it.”

“You’re one of them?”

“I am.” He closed the distance between them, his gaze narrowing to a smolder. “Want to know what I can do?”

“Hmm.” She tapped her chin. “Can you magically close and switch on the dishwasher?”