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My best friend was also Harbor & Main's Marketing & Community Relations Manager, a position that suited her ability to charm almost anyone while somehow convincing them that her latest idea had been theirs all along.

Her sleek black bob swung against her jaw, revealing flashes of violet beneath the darker layers. She wore a fitted plum-colored blazer over black trousers, and the expression on her face made me immediately suspicious.

"Whatever you're planning, I should probably tell you that my calendar's full."

"Then it's fortunate I'm here about your social life."

"That's even more concerning."

Taryn stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

"Two sponsor invitations to tomorrow night's masquerade at Witch Harbor Grand just became available. They're already paid for, and since we're one of the event sponsors, I'd hate to see them wasted."

I leaned back in my chair. "You're talking about the big Halloween masquerade?"

"The very one. Beautiful costumes, music, champagne, and a ballroom full of interesting people who might actually know how to have fun."

"That sounds suspiciously like your definition of a successful marketing event."

"It's also my definition of a good Saturday night." She settled into the chair across from my desk. "Besides, what else are we doing? You were going to spend Halloween at home, and I was probably going to end up watching terrible horror movies by myself."

I considered the invitation.

The Witch Harbor Grand was one of the town's most beautiful historic hotels, an enormous nineteenth-century landmark overlooking the harbor. Its annual masquerade attracted visitors from Boston and beyond, and the photographs I'd seen always looked spectacular.

"I don't have a costume," I said.

Taryn gave me a look.

"Everly, you showed me the ivory angel dress you bought last month. The one you insisted was too extravagant to wear anywhere."

"That wasn't exactly an impulse purchase I was proud of."

"It was gorgeous, and you looked incredible in it. This is the perfect opportunity to wear it somewhere other than your bedroom."

I laughed. "And what will you be wearing?"

"A witch, obviously."

"Of course."

"My mother's family has deep roots in Witch Harbor. I'm practically obligated to honor my heritage."

Taryn had been convinced for years that her maternal ancestors included some of the women accused of witchcraft during the town's colonial history. According to her, the fact that she hadn't developed any supernatural abilities was merely an unfortunate delay.

"You still haven't managed to turn anyone into a frog," I reminded her.

"That's because my powers haven't manifested yet. When they do, I'll be very selective about who I practice on."

I shook my head, smiling.

Witch Harbor's legends were part of its charm. One of the most popular stories involved an accused witch who'd supposedly escaped custody during a violent storm and vanished into the harbor. Whether Taryn's family had any connection to those events was another matter entirely.

She leaned forward, her expression softening.

"Come on, Everly. You've been working ridiculous hours, and you deserve one night when you don't have to worry about everyone else's schedule."

I glanced at the paperwork covering my desk. She wasn't wrong. I spent so much of my day keeping clients, coworkers, and Martin happy that it sometimes took me an entire weekend to remember what I wanted to do with my own time.