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It took two hours for Suzanne to decide what to wear for her lunch date with Ramon. Maddie had never seen her friend so indecisive. Finally, Suzanne chose a teal floaty dress, that looked cool and comfortable, as well as flattering her slim figure.
“Ramon is going to wonder why he never asked you out before now,” Maddie told her friend, before hurrying home with Trixie to get ready for her own date.
“Did you have something to do with Ramon asking out Suzanne?” she asked her familiar as she quickly changed into a lilac dress.
“Mrrow.” Trixie seemed affronted at the idea.
“I’m sorry,” Maddie apologized as she brushed her hair. She met Trixie’s turquoise gaze in the bedroom mirror. “I know you’re not naughty with magic.”
“Mrrow.” Trixie sounded happier.
“I just wish I was a bit better at it,” Maddie confided. “I think Suzanne and I worked out a while ago it’s going to take me eight years to come into my full powers, if I keep on learning one new spell per full moon cycle.” She put down the hairbrush. “I’ll be thirty-five by then!”
“Mrrow,” Trixie seemed to agree.
“Thanks.” Maddie scrunched up her face.
Luke picked her up, and Trixie settled on the sofa, Wytchcraft for the Chosen out of sight.
Maddie enjoyed dinner with Luke, but wasn’t sure whether to tell him about Suzanne having lunch with Ramon. In the end she decided it was up to her friend to tell Luke about it – if she wanted to.
After a meal of stuffed pork chops and chicken pot pie, finishing with a heavenly dessert of crème brulee, Luke took her home.
“Has Claudine been bothering you anymore?” he asked as she unlocked her front door.
“No. Thank goodness.” She walked into the hall, keenly aware of him right behind her.
“The whole town seems to be talking about Veronica being back,” he continued as they entered the kitchen.
“I wonder how long she’s going to stay?” Maddie mused as she placed two mugs on the kitchen counter. They usually finished their dates with a latte and cuddling on the couch, before Luke departed.
“I don’t think anyone wants her to visit any longer than necessary,” he said, getting the milk out of the refrigerator for her.
She smiled her thanks, just as Trixie padded into the kitchen.
“Mrrow.” She jumped on “her” kitchen chair and settled in, as if interested in their conversation.
“Suzanne and I heard something about Veronica doing something awful in high school.” Maddie shuddered. “She doesn’t sound like a nice person at all.
“What was it?” Luke asked curiously.
“I can’t say,” Maddie replied regretfully. “We promised not to mention it to anyone.” She nibbled her lip. “I don’t think I should have said anything.”
“It’s okay.” Luke smoothed back a strand of her hair. “No one could accuse you of being a gossip.”
Maddie smiled at him, once again appreciative that Luke just “got” her – apart from being a witch and Trixie being her familiar. At times she yearned to tell him – and at other times she was scared he wouldn’t understand if she did.
She decided to shove that worrisome thought to the back of her mind, and just enjoy his company right now.
“Mrrow!” Trixie called. Apparently Maddie and Luke had spent too long gazing into each other’s eyes.
Luke laughed, kissed Maddie on the forehead, then turned his attention to Trixie.
“What did you get up to today, Trixie?” he asked.
Trixie proceeded to tell him in cat, which involved a lot of “Mrrows”, while Maddie finished making the coffee.
“Are you going to come to work with me tomorrow, Trix?” Maddie asked as she handed Luke his latte.
“Mrrow!” Trixie replied importantly, her turquoise gaze locking with Maddie’s. She instantly knew that Trixie wanted to know how Suzanne’s lunch date would turn out with Ramon – if she didn’t already somehow know in a psychic familiar sense!
“I think that’s a yes.” Luke grinned.
They chatted about their plans for the next couple of weeks, Luke suggesting they go out to dinner one night next week, and have a picnic at a local park on the weekend – cats weren’t disallowed, so Trixie was also invited.
“You’ll have to wear your harness,” Maddie told her familiar.
“Mrrow,” Trixie agreed, her eyes sparkling. Maddie knew the Persian liked being included in most of her activities.
After they spent a few minutes on the couch, Trixie demurely staying in the kitchen, Luke kissed Maddie goodbye and left.
Maddie sighed softly as she watched him get in his car. Dating Luke was a dream come true – she just hoped it would never end.