Page 110 of Falling for Keeps

“No warlocks allowed,” I say.

“Come on,” he cajoles, flashing his perfect smile. “You know how well witches and warlocks go together.”

“This witch and this warlock certainly do.”

Carson swallows, his gaze boring down on me. “You’re keeping the costume, right?”

I throw my head back and laugh, but I’m stopped from replying when my sister dances up to us. It’s so nice to see her feeling better.

“Hey, Carson,” Rosie says, giving him a knowing look. “Heard you might join one of our family dinners soon.”

“If you want to,” I say quickly. “My dad would…uh…like to have you over.”

“I can sense an interrogation incoming,” Carson says flatly.

“All the attention will be on Penny. You’re her arm candy.”

Rosie rolls her eyes. “Honestly, does Dad even have a right to give input on who we date after his crazy girlfriend the last few months?”

“At least it’s over.” I put my hands together like in prayer. “Thank the heavens he saw the light.”

“Oh, Juliet just got here,” Rosie says. “See you later, Em. I need to talk to her.”

Carson steps closer, filling the gap she left behind. “Any dusty stacks that need attending to, my beautiful librarian?”

“Right now?”

Carson shrugs. “It’s never a bad time⁠—”

“Might be when I’m trying to run an event.”

“What about the Friends board? Aren’t they here?”

I clear my throat delicately and start to walk away. “I don’t…can’t lie. No, none of them could make it.”

“Emma.” He follows me, exasperated. “You deserve better than that.”

“Who else would fill their shoes? I have no idea who would even be willing to do all that work.”

“Literally anyone, since the current team does nothing as it is.” He takes my hand and gestures to the huge group of women who did show up. Sadie is by the table refilling snacks—I’ll need to tip her well for being so on top of it—and Juliet and Rosie are chatting by the silent auction table. Ari and Liv are dancing near the Ednas. “So many of these women love this town and show up for everything, anyway. A couple of them are even retired and probably wouldn’t mind something to do.”

It hits me like a bolt of lightning. “The Ednas. They love tradition so much, everything would continue how it’s been if they’re in charge.”

“They also love authority. I think they’d thrive.”

“Should I ask them?”

He smiles down at me. “Yeah. I think you should.”

I’m so overcome with hope that I can be the liaison I’m meant to be and not have to keep running everything on my own. The amount of free time this would clear up is unreal. “Thanks, Carson. You have such great ideas.”

“Do any of them involve your shower?”

“I ordered the new tile yesterday.” I grin, pulling him back into the shadows near the processing room. “We can tile it next week.”

Before he can say anything else, I reach up and kiss him. His hands wrap around me, familiar and strong. I lean into him, careful not to mess up my makeup while I show Carson my appreciation and affection. His lips are hot and insistent, driving warmth through me like bubbles.

“Okay, kids,” Demi says. “Time to break it up.”