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“And the sun came out,” Maggie explained.

Tess’s gaze slid to mine, something keen there, like maybe she was remembering the safe room in all buildings, including their own. But she said nothing.

“I see.”

I felt like she might.

See.

Too much.

“What won’t I believe?” Maggie asked. She turned toward her friend, the mixing bowl pressed to her stomach as her other hand stirred.

“What?” Tess asked. Then, “Oh! So, guess who I ran into at the club?”

“You’re going to have to narrow that down. You know everyone.”

“Brad.”

It was like something in the room detonated.

Maggie jolted. Her eyes went wide. And Tess winced, realizing her mistake.

I had a feeling this Brad had once meant something to Maggie. And, clearly, didn’t know what he had.

“Please tell me you didn’t go up to him.”

“Go up to him? No. Asked a warlock to make his underwear intolerably itchy? Yes.”

“He didn’t.”

“He did. He owed me a favor.”

“That’s totally not necessary.”

“He’s lucky it wasn’t something flesh-eating.”

“Ex-boyfriend?” I asked. I had no idea why. It wasn’t my business. But that little feral voice inside me demanded answers.

“Complete and utter waste of time, more like,” Tess said, kicking off her heels and making a beeline for her roommate. But only to steal a sip of her coffee, then plunge her finger into the cookie dough and shove it into her mouth.

“Brad was a moron who didn’t deserve our Maggs here. I mean, no one could. But he, especially. Mr. I Can’t Have A Cookie Because It Will Mess Up My Macros. Tool. Okay. I need to wash off this tingling body glitter. It’s… drifting. And while that might be fun, not in front of… company. Enjoy your visit. You better try a cookie.”

With that, she floated off.

“You don’t need to eat a cookie. I know they don’t taste good to you.”

“I’d be happy to try one. Is this how you always unwind after work?”

“Not every night. But most of them. Tess and I usually end up eating sweets and watching a movie until we’re too tired to keep our eyes open.”

“I like movies.”

“Yeah? What kind?”

“Films.”

“Films,” she scoffed. “That sounds very award-winning and boring.”