The day of the dinner party arrives, and we close the shop an hour early in order to get ready. We’ve combed through more of our grandmother’s hidden library, but Ruby’s had no luck connecting with her spirit. She’s determined, however, and regardless, we’re all enjoying going through the journals, books, and recipes.
Janice has not reappeared. No word on the poison has come yet, either. I haven’t had time to research the orchid.
What if the flower was mixed with the heart medication and caused a deadly reaction?
Ruby discovered a candy recipe book in grandma’s stash. Like with her soaps, there’s an extra magickal ingredient or two added to the various truffles, mints, and nougats.
Today, Ruby experimented, and while we’re getting dressed for the dinner party, she passes around a plate with samples.
The hard candies are my favorites, especially the lemon drops. There’s a tiny hint of lime and lavender in them. I suck on one after another, my nerves over the party and seeing Finn, getting to me.
Zelle insists on doing my hair, taking the dirty blonde locks and curling the ends into soft, lazy ringlets. She doesn’t like the outfit I’ve chosen and insists on dressing me in one of her more daring sapphire blue outfits.
Yikes. My reflection in the full-length mirror is striking, but I’m totally uncomfortable with the plunging neckline, my cleavage on full display. Belle adds a sapphire drop necklace around my neck, and I have to admit the effect is enchanting.
The one positive I find about the dress is it has deep pockets in the folds of the skirt. In one, I tuck lip gloss and cellphone, and in the other, my van keys and license.
Shoes are another issue. With my big feet, I stick to casual tennis shoes, and only have two pair of what would be considered dressy. Neither looks good with the fancy sapphire number, and Zelle digs out pairs of heels from her collection that make me cringe.
They’d all look good with it, but I settle on the pair with the lowest heels, afraid I might trip over myself or break an ankle. I use magick to adjust the size, but they’re still a bit tight.
Once we’re ready, excitement high, and far too much sugar in our veins thanks to Ruby’s candy, we gather the gift bags and prepare to walk out the door.
My phone buzzes. I start to ignore it, but Belle claims she has to run and pee, so while we wait for her, I glance at it to see an email waiting for me.
“Oh curses,” I moan under my breath.
“What?” Zelle swipes bright pink lipstick on her lips.
“It’s Jason again. He’s still trying to get me to go to the ball with him.”
“Tell him you already have a date,” Zelle says.
“I’m not going, and how did he get invited, anyway?”
Ruby adjusts one of her earrings. “He’s part of the stage crew. You have a standing invitation from Finn, so tell Jason you already have a date.”
“What would help is if you guys would once and for all take my profile off that dating app. I have no intention of going out with Jason or anyone else.”
Ruby slides on her red cape, tying it around her neck, “Tell you what, sis. You accept Finn’s invite, and I’ll take it down right now.”
“It wasn’t really Finn’s invitation, you know; it was from his mom.”
Belle returns and Zelle takes my shoulder, guiding me to the back door. “Good enough. Say you’re going, and we’ll never bother you about dating again.”
As we exit and traipse down the porch steps, I realize I’m outnumbered. It wouldn’t be a date, technically, and if I can survive this dinner, then I can survive the theater performance and the ball. Right? “Fine. Do it.”
Belle glances between our other two sisters, having missed the gist of the conversation. Her twin winks at her as she pulls out her phone and starts tapping away. “We’ve convinced Cinder to go to the ball with Finn.”
I stick the bags in the back of the van and slam the door. “I’m not going with Finn. I am going because his mother asked me.”
“But you are going.” Ruby argues.
As we’re about to pull from the parking lot, Matilda suddenly materializes in the back seat. “I can’t believe you guys were leaving without me.”
Up front, Ruby and I exchange a look. Telling her she can’t come could start an ugly fight and we’d all end up turtles or buzzards. “Sorry,” I say. “We thought you were busy.”
As she pouts, and Belle and Zelle talk about how amazing it will be for me to go to the ball, I bite my tongue.
Ruby gives my arm a squeeze, attempting to reassure me everything will turn out all right.
My greatest fear, even more than Matilda reducing the mansion to ash or some other horrible faux pas, is that Janice’s killer may be dining with us tonight.