THE CRUNCH of the dry grass alerted Edwin to Trick’s return. Once he and Franz had finished unloading the vehicle, Edwin had returned both Franz and the eggplant to their appropriate places and come back to Trick’s new home.
The curtains on the windows, while serviceable, had no flair, so a quick wave of the wand and an envisioning of their replacements made things much more cheery inside the little place. He’d chosen the mossy color because it would highlight the greenery outside.
Rather than unpack Trick’s belongings, which Edwin felt could be a tad intrusive, he’d decided the garden might do with a little sprucing up.
“Those are pretty,” Trick said, crouching down beside him.
Edwin glanced up, smiling, then turned back to his task. “Thank you! I saw similar flowers for sale at a nearby corner shop and thought they’d be a nice addition.”
“They are. Not sure if birds of paradise are really, um, native to New York, but they look great.”
Trick’s voice was somewhat subdued, and when Edwin looked at him more carefully, he saw the distracted and fretful expression on Trick’s face. After completing the current bloom quickly, Edwin straightened, and Trick followed suit a moment later.
“Is everything okay? What did Mr. Redden want?” Edwin asked with concern.
Trick grimaced. “Nothing good, that’s for sure.”
As they headed back inside, Trick explained the situation with the expanded guest list and the search for a new venue. “And all in the next… five days,” Trick finished, visibly slumping. “God, it sucks.”
Edwin’s mind raced. This was definitely a job for a fairy godfather in training, but again… he couldn’t very well manifest a location in the city. He’d managed with the eggplant because he’d been able to base the vehicle’s concept on certain transportation he’d operated in Paravale. Creating space in a city that already was so tightly packed, though, was inconceivable. Edwin chewed on his lip as he watched Trick hunt through some boxes to pull out a couple of mismatched cups. After rinsing them out in the little kitchen, he filled them with water from the tap and came back into the main living area.
Trick’s bed was tucked up in the alcove, and Edwin had taken a seat in the familiar desk chair. Trick handed one of the mugs to Edwin and sank into the navy chair-slash-former-crate Edwin had transformed last week.
“Grazie,” Edwin said, the word flashing across his mind for no particular reason.
“You’re welcome,” Trick responded after a moment. “Uh… are we speaking Italian now? Because that’s gonna be a short conversation since all I can say are thank you, hello, good-bye, and a few, er, less polite phrases.”
“No, no,” Edwin said, the word taking full form in his mind, along with a visual of a sophisticated and sleek gray edifice with a large picture window and set of glass doors. “Grazie. The Grazie Hotel. Does that mean anything to you?”
Trick watched Edwin, brows furrowed, and took a sip from his glass. “I… think there’s a hotel downtown called the Grazie,” Trick said slowly. “Why?”
“I can’t really explain the feeling other than to say it’s a good one,” Edwin ventured. “And that perhaps you should contact them?”
After a long look at Edwin, Trick shrugged, put down his cup, and pulled out his mobile device. Frederick had one—a cell phone—and when Edwin had asked if they operated similarly to his communicator, Frederick had procured one for him as well. Trick ran his finger along the surface a few times before he glanced back up with a nod. “Yep, it’s a hotel downtown. A boutique hotel, or so they claim,” Trick said, offering the phone to Edwin.
Setting aside his mug, Edwin glanced at the screen without taking it and saw exactly what he expected to see: clean gray lines and large panes of glass. “It looks quite modern.”
“Yeah, Redden would approve,” Trick said, almost to himself. “Well, doesn’t hurt to try, huh?”
Trick tapped the screen a few more times and lifted the phone to his ear.
“Hi, yes, I’m calling from Redden and Sons. May I speak with your events manager? Yes, I’ll hold.”
Edwin wandered around the perimeter of the large room and used his wand to remove some of the more noticeable scuff marks on the walls and floors. The unit was obviously aged, but it was well-kept, unlike the disastrous space Trick had previously occupied. While he wandered, Edwin tried not to look too interested in the conversation, even though he kept his ears attuned to what Trick was saying.
“Thank you, happy holidays to you too. I’m calling on behalf of Redden and Sons. I understand it’s a busy time of the year, but we suddenly find ourselves in need of a new venue for our holiday party this Friday. Uh huh,” Trick said, his eyes wide. “We’re—” Trick cleared his throat. “—we’re expecting between two and three hundred people.”
Edwin gave up the pretense of cleaning up the apartment to stop in his tracks and watch Trick, whose face was doing a dance of amazement, wonder, and flat-out disbelief.
“No, I don’t think that will be a problem. We have catering already arranged with an outside company. Yes,” Trick said, nodding. “Yes. If you’ll wait one moment, I’ll get my company card and give you the number.”
After setting down the phone, Trick caught Edwin’s gaze and gave him a buggy-eyed look that Edwin associated with Trick’s “oh my God!” exclamation. Sure enough….
“Oh my God,” Trick whispered. “Let me find my wallet.”
Once Trick had a plastic card in hand, he picked up the phone again. “Hello? Hi, yes, are you ready?” Trick then read off a series of numbers and also gave the person another set of numbers, confirming with them something about a fax and a contract.
“Yes, I’ll make sure it’s sent back signed first thing in the morning.” Trick paused, then nodded his head. “I’m sure it’ll be fine based on the pictures on your website, but if you’re available now, I can come down to view it.” Another pause, then Trick nodded again. “Yes. Okay, that’s understandable if it’s your policy. I’ll meet you there at five o’clock.”
When Trick set down the phone, he sat there and stared at it for a moment, then turned to Edwin. “Holy shit, Edwin, you and your feelings. You’re a goddamn genius! I could kiss you right now!”
At that last statement, a flush passed over Trick’s face, and he glanced away. Edwin was a little taken aback himself. Kissing wasn’t something fairy godfathers did with their charges. In fact, it wasn’t something he, specifically, should be doing, given his circumstances and the responsibilities he would have upon his return to Paravale.
Trick cleared his throat loudly. “I need to go take a look at the ballroom, but it sounds like they had a last-minute cancellation. God, I have no idea how or why, but that is the most ridiculous and fortunate coincidence ever.”
Pushing aside thoughts of kissing, Edwin teased Trick. “Almost… magical?”
Trick rolled his eyes, but he nevertheless returned the grin as he stood and began shrugging on his coat. “You and your magical feelings are welcome anytime. Anytime.”
EDWIN CHECKED in with his mother later that evening. Today her hair was a cloud of pink and glitter, and it faintly resembled the fairy floss Edwin had found so delicious.
“Mother, how are things at Paravale?”
“Everything is going well, Edwin,” Estella responded. “How are things with your charge?”
“They continue to improve as I improve my skills.” Remembering the most recent feelings he’d had, Edwin straightened and said proudly, “My intuition has been particularly keen lately, and I’ve helped him out of a few difficult situations.”
“Well, that’s wonderful,” Estella said warmly. “We miss you here at the castle. How is your progress with achieving his heart’s desire?”
“I think it’s going well. There’s a party this week for which I’ll help him prepare,” Edwin said, ignoring the little pang in his belly that twisted when he thought about Trick’s desire for Preston Ward.
“It sounds like a perfect opportunity for you to use your skills. Perhaps you’ll be back at Paravale sooner than you’d expected.”
At the thought of leaving New York—of leaving Trick—Edwin felt the little pang twist even more painfully. He knew he had obligations in Paravale. He knew a charge was not meant to be long-term, especially when he was still only a fairy godfather in training, but he’d grown fond of Trick… perhaps more than was prudent.
“I should probably get some rest since this will be such an eventful week,” Edwin said, trying not to let his thoughts show in his expression.
Estella looked at him with concern, but didn’t say anything in the end. “Of course. I look forward to hearing from you again soon, dear. Good night.”
“Good night, Mother.”
Once Edwin had shut his communicator, he flopped back onto his bed and let his thoughts wander.
He had definitely grown fond of Trick and his no-nonsense, yet secretly kind, personality, which was probably not wise. Once he was back in Paravale, Edwin knew what was expected of him and the obligations that fell to him, especially as son of the Fairy Queen. His mother was likely waiting until he passed his certifications before introducing him to any… candidates.
Sighing, Edwin turned onto his side and punched his pillow.
He shouldn’t dwell on it because there was nothing he could do about the situation right now. He was in New York City for a purpose, and he would do his fairy best to achieve the goals set for him.
TRICK’S HOLIDAY party emergency kept him very busy over the next few days. Edwin sought to help, but because so much of it was done with computers and personal communication with actual clients, Trick had declined any assistance.
Trick had, however, visited Edwin at Elixir on Tuesday to share a word—and quiz him on something.
“So I normally wouldn’t share gossip, but this is ridiculous, Edwin. Callie Echo and Brendon Walsh calling off their wedding the same week it’s supposed to take place? And where was it supposed to take place? The Grazie Hotel.”
Edwin had glanced up from where he was wiping down a table and raised his brows.
“On Friday,” Trick said with a significant look.
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out for them?” Edwin wasn’t sure what Trick expected him to say to this statement.
“I mean, yeah, me too,” Trick said quickly, “but my point is the news didn’t hit Page Six until yesterday. We booked the hotel on Sunday. How did you even know?”
Ah, that one Edwin could answer.
“I just had a feeling,” Edwin said with a shrug and resumed his cleaning.
“You and your feelings,” Trick said, smiling. “I love your feelings.”
Edwin did too, and he hoped those feelings—along with his skills—would help him be the best fairy godfather he could be for Trick.
Trick finally managed to complete the preparations by Thursday evening, the day before the party. With all of Trick’s attention focused on ensuring the party went well, he had no time for anything else, which was how Edwin found himself in Trick’s new apartment, sorting through a couple of bags of clothes.
“I don’t know what you’re looking for, Edwin, but I can almost guarantee you aren’t gonna find it in there,” Trick said from where he was sprawled on the couch.
Edwin ignored him and continued picking through the clothing. Although he hadn’t been given the opportunity to help Trick with the party planning, he had been doing research of his own into preparing Trick himself for the event. No matter what little pangs he felt when he thought about the situation, Edwin wanted Trick to have his heart’s desire, and if that desire was Preston Ward, then Edwin was going to make sure Trick looked the part.
“Ah, these will work,” Edwin said finally as he opened a garment bag hanging in the nearby closet.
“What’ve you got?” Trick asked, his voice much closer now.
Edwin glanced over to catch Trick’s curious gaze. “A foundation. A good one, which I assume is what is needed if I’m to replicate something called Armani.”
“Uh, what? What do you mean?”
“The dimensions of this suit are a good fit for you, am I correct?”
Trick nodded, still watching Edwin with a puzzled look.
“Right.” Edwin turned back to the suit. “What I mean”—he pulled out his wand—“is I’ve been doing research, and my resources suggest Armani’s suiting is superior and well received by critics. Although GQ showed it in a cranberry red, am I right in assuming something more subtle is needed for the party?”
“Yeah, subtle is good in this—holy shit.” With that, Trick broke off and stared.
With a wave of his wand, Edwin transformed the nondescript black jacket and pants into a charcoal gray suit that held the subtle sheen of luxury. After visiting a shop on Fifth Avenue and viewing a number of these Armanis in person, he was reasonably confident in his ability to replicate that material and style.
“Wow.” Trick touched the lapel. “This is really nice.”
Preening a bit at the praise, Edwin gestured at the suit. “You should try it on.”
Trick looked around briefly before his gaze landed on the suit again. “I guess? I mean, maybe not with this,” Trick said, glancing down at his orange T-shirt, which looked rather worn and read Atlantic City across the front in white script.
“Oh, of course,” Edwin said, scolding himself for being overeager. He bent to reach into one of the bags and pulled out a wrinkled white button-down shirt. “And you’ll want to see how you look,” Edwin muttered to himself, remembering Trick’s lack of a mirror other than the bathroom cabinet above the sink.
Once he’d finished transforming the shirt into a crisp currant-red one—as inspired by one of the GQ photos—he summoned a large mirror from the vault. Edwin held it firmly and propped it up against the wall.
“Okay,” Edwin said, turning around holding the shirt, “here’s something I think would look nice with—”
Pale, smooth flesh.
A lot of it.
Edwin tried to gather his thoughts, but Trick stood there, his discarded T-shirt in hand. Edwin was vaguely aware of Trick tossing the brightly colored shirt to the side. Trick had already changed into the slacks, which skimmed his hips and thighs in a gentle caress. His body held a wiry strength, his muscles lean and softly yet visibly defined, and his bare skin seemed to invite Edwin’s hands to explore.
It wasn’t the first time Edwin had seen a bare chest. He’d done his fair share of swimming in Paravale, and he hadn’t been shy about taking his own shirt off to do so. Cousins, friends, and other well-formed acquaintances had been there in the past, and it’d been like any other day.
But no, while it wasn’t the first time he’d seen another’s bare skin like this, it was certainly the first time he felt a spark of fire in his blood and an overwhelming desire to touch.
Good Fairy, what was he thinking? Trick wasn’t for him. Not in this universe or Edwin’s own.
At that moment, the thatch of hair at Trick’s navel disappeared behind Trick’s hand as he scratched lightly at his belly, breaking Edwin’s fixation on that particular patch of skin.
“Edwin?” Trick asked.
Clearing his throat, Edwin shook himself out of his disturbing thoughts and met Trick’s searching gaze. “Here you are,” Edwin said, holding out the shirt. His voice didn’t sound right to his ears. “And I should also do something for your shoes.”
When Trick took the shirt and began to put it on, Edwin’s gaze dropped to the floor where a few pairs of shoes were lined up inside the closet. He aimed his wand at a pair of black ones that were the closest to the Prada dress shoes he wanted to replicate.
“Is everything okay?”
Edwin looked up to catch a questioning look on Trick’s face. “Yes, of course,” Edwin said, infusing his voice with cheer. “Just concentrating on the preparations. Preston Ward will not be able to resist.”
Trick looked startled for a moment before he nodded slowly. “Right, Preston.”
With a determined nod and a smile that he feared appeared faker than a hoppi dinfizzy, Edwin held up the jacket for Trick to shrug into. Trick was quiet as he did up the buttons and bent down to lace up the shoes.
Once he straightened, Trick faced the mirror. After a moment, he met Edwin’s gaze in the reflection, an appraising look on his face.
“So, how do I look?”
“Perfect.”
For Preston, Edwin added silently, reminding himself of his duties. For Preston.