Chapter Five
Jun 7th – Sunday
Willow sipped her tea and stared out into her back yard. She had just finished telling Celeste, who had dropped by unexpectedly, what happened with Cedric, and waited for her reaction. Celeste knew about everything that happened between her and Cedric. She was one of the few people outside the witch community she could talk to about him without people singing his praises.
Cedric’s visit still didn’t make sense to her. The weird out-of-the blue arrival. His volunteering to help her out. Fat lot of good he’s been at that. His outburst, claiming he loved her before storming from her house. What man tells a woman he loves them then storms off like a three-year-old throwing a tantrum?
She had been embarrassed and pissed off thinking he had been trying to take advantage of her, but she wasn’t any longer. She was straight up confused by his behavior now.
That had been five days ago, and she hadn’t heard a word from him since. No texts. No calls. No popping in unannounced. Complete and absolute radio silence, so the speak. She was beginning to wonder if it had been a figment of her overactive imagination.
In the time he’d been gone, she had finished going through the proposals and filled in the calendar for the celebration. A tentative schedule for each day had been started, and the arrangements for the final bonfire were falling into place.
“His last dying breath?” Celeste asked, sipping her tea. She rubbed her hand absently over her lower stomach.
Willow was dying to ask if her friend were pregnant, but figured she would offer up her own gossip first. “That’s what he said. It’s absolutely not how I imagined a man telling me he loved me for the first time would be. I haven’t heard from him since.”
“That’s so weird.”
“I know. I don’t even know what to do about it. I’m not mad now that I have some distance from the situation. He seemed genuinely upset about the proposal, and I know he hasn’t had anything to do with Gemma in a long time. I would have heard about it from that cow’s mouth if they were together.”
“Gemma is that girl from high school, right? The bitchy one that used to make fun of you because of your frizzy hair and crooked teeth?”
“Yep.”
“That bitch,” Celeste said under her breath. “I hate girls like that. Queen Sheba’s who think they’re entitled to everything just because they got breasts before the rest of the female population in school.”
Willow tilted her head and looked at her friend. “You had one of those too?”
“Patience, and she was a royal pain in my ass, sticking her boobs in everyone’s faces.”
They laughed, and Willow felt some of her tension ease. She finished her tea and set the mug down.
“Maybe he dropped dead when he got home,” Celeste offered, apparently thinking about the Cedric thing still.
Wouldn’t that make things easier? Probably not. Willow snorted. “That would certainly explain his absence.”
The both chuckled and fell into silence. Celeste sighed, and Willow figured it was as good a time as any to see what was up with her friend. “Are you ready to tell me why you stopped by unannounced? Not that I have a problem with it,” she hurried to say. “I’m always up for a visit from you.”
Celeste blushed. “Am I that obvious?”
“Just a little. You have a new man in your life, and you’re sitting with me drinking tea, which I know isn’t your favorite. I figured you two would still be shacked up having lots of hot faerie sex. I’m going to guess it has something to do with you rubbing your belly.”
Celeste looked down, her hand stopped moving. When she looked back up, she had a goofy grin on her face. “I’m pregnant.”
“I figured as much.” She leaned over and hugged her. “I’m so happy for you.” And she was, along with a wee bit of jealousy.
“Thank you.” Celeste beamed, and a couple sparks of faerie magic popped into the air. She chuckled softly as they danced around. “It’s the hormones. I don’t remember my mom having this problem. Though it could be because Owen is an elf and my dad is a human.”
“It’s cute.”
“Yeah. Owen thought so too. At least until they turned red, and I flipped out on him for some dumb reason that I can’t even remember.”
“I’m sure he learned his lesson.”
Celeste giggled. “Oh yeah.”
Edward took that moment to hop up on the table and bat at the soft flickering lights floating in the air. He caught one on his paw and ate it. His fur shimmered, and a delighted purr rumbled from his throat. He pounced after the others, batting one into Willow’s face.
She brushed it away with a flick of her hand. “Silly cat,” Willow said. She turned her attention back to Celeste, who was smiling at Edward, her affection for the furball easy to see. “How did Owen take it? You two haven’t been together very long.”
“Oh, he’s thrilled. I got the impression he was trying to knock me up. The condoms would magically disappear.”
“Seriously?”
Celeste nodded, a silly smile on her face.
“Now what? Are you two getting married?” For the second time that day, Willow had to push her jealousy aside. The way things were going for her, she wouldn’t be getting married. She had been wearing the blessed moonstone for almost a week, and the only man to show up was Cedric. She doubted he would be interested in a long-term relationship that resulted in white picket fences and babies.
“In time. We still have to tell my parents about the pregnancy. As it is, Mom is pushing for us to get married…sooner rather than later. Owen told his parents right after we found out this morning. But they want us to hold off for a little bit, like until after the baby is born. They want us to get to know each other a little better.”
“Wow, that’s—awkward. I’d say you two know each other pretty well. It sounds to me like you’re made for each other.”
“Yeah, I think we are. He wants to get married now, but I told him I want to wait until after the Summer Solstice at least. I’d like my friend to be able to come.” Celeste reached out and squeezed Willow’s hand.
“Thanks.”
“And hey, maybe by then you’ll have your own hunky man to bring with you.” A teasing light shone from Celeste’s eyes.
Willow snorted. “Unless he dropped dead, which given the circumstance, might not be a bad thing.”
“Oh? Why do you say that?”
“Life with Cedric would have been…challenging. I have a hard time believing he’s serious as it is. He’s tormented me for so long that I can’t help but think this is another way for him to annoy me.”
“Oh, come on, Willow, you like a challenge. How else do you explain teaching flighty faeries how to harness their magic? Besides, maybe Cedric flirts with you like a five-year-old on the playground. He pulls your pigtails and waits to see what happens.”
“Well, the last time he pulled my pigtails, we were five and I punched him in the face. His tactics have changed but I don’t think they’ve improved.”
They both laughed, and any further talk was interrupted by a knock at the front door.
“I wonder who that is?” Willow mused, pushing away from the table.
Celeste followed behind her. “Could be Owen, but I told him I would meet him at home before we went to my parents for dinner. We’re going to tell them tonight.”
“Oh, to be a fly on that wall.”
“Right? I expect screaming of two varieties: overjoyed and raging denial.”
“Let me guess. Your mom and Avery, in that order.”
“Yep.”
Willow shook her head. Celeste’s youngest sister would be a trial on anyone’s nerves. Pampered and with a feeling of entitlement, the girl insisted Owen was her man regardless of what he said. “Your sister needs boot camp for wayward Mystics.”
“I might suggest it.”
“What about your dad? What do you think he’ll do?”
Celeste pursed her lip
s. “Pass out. It should be our most exciting Sunday dinner yet.”
A hard knock came from the door again.
“He’s insistent,” Celeste commented.
“Must be your man then. The people who come to see me knock, wait for a second, then knock again even louder.” Willow opened the door, fully expecting to see Owen, but instead had all the breath knocked from her. Cedric stood on her front porch in a drool-worthy tight shirt that clung to his broad shoulders, and a pair of black slacks that hugged his thighs nicely. Shiny black dress shoes adorned his feet, completing the panty-melting look.
Willow stood unmoving. Her mouth opened and closed, and not a single thought flitted around in her head. He looked, and was, stunning.
Celeste cleared her throat and stepped up beside her. “Hi. I’m Celeste. Willow’s friend.”
Cedric grinned politely and held out his hand. “Cedric Stone.”
“Oh, I know who you are.”
A grin lit Cedric’s face and Willow blushed, her cheeks heating painfully. She wanted to slap her hands on them to hide the affect he had on her but figured it would add fuel to his fire.
Celeste snapped her fingers in front of Willow’s face. Willow turned her head, her brows furrowed.
“I guess he didn’t drop dead,” Celeste said, a bit of mischief in her voice. She hugged her and left. “Call me with details,” she hollered as she walked out to her SUV parked at the curb.
Cedric soaked in the sight of a stunned Willow. She was as gorgeous as ever, but definitely not dressed for dinner out. The worn jeans and loose T-shirt were cute and looked comfortable as hell, but weren’t the right attire for where they were going.
Without waiting for an invitation, he stepped into the house. He grabbed her by the hand and shut the door behind him. “Bedroom,” he grunted and pulled her along with him. He stepped toward the stairs, but she yanked him back
“No,” she said, tugging her hand to no avail.
“Don’t bother. I’m not letting go. You and I are going out to eat, and we don’t have a lot of time to get there. Reservations are at five.”
“I don’t remember agreeing to go out with you.”
“I didn’t ask.” He had a feeling she would have said no if he had. That was why he went with the element of surprise.
Her dark eyes narrowed and lips tightened. “What the hell is going on, Cedric?”
He turned so they were face-to-face. “You refused to listen to me on Tuesday.”
“And? It isn’t the first time I’ve tried to tune you out. Probably won’t be the last either.”
“Woman, you try my patience.”
“Ha! I won’t even tell you what you do to mine.”
Cedric closed his eyes for a moment. This wasn’t going how he’d planned. He wanted to come over and ask her out to dinner. She would say yes, she would be delighted to go. They would head to his favorite place where he could impress her a little. He could apologize for his actions on Tuesday, and say he should have just tossed it on the discard pile. In hindsight, stuffing it in his pocket made him look guilty. She would tell him she overreacted, and they could kiss and make up.
He really wanted to make up.
But before he had a chance to asker her, her friend made that remark about him not being dead. No idea what that was about, but it meant she talked about him. Showed he was on her mind. It eased the knot that had been in his chest since he left earlier in the week and his plan fell to the wayside.
He opened his eyes and took a calming breath. “Willow, would you do me the honor and go to dinner with me? I made reservations at new restaurant for us at five o’clock. I’d love the chance to sit down over an excellent meal and talk. Nothing more. Nothing less. I want to clear the air, as well as talk about the progress for the Summer Solstice. I made a promise to help, and I aim to keep my word.”
Willow turned her head slightly, her eyes narrowed as she studied him. He could see her turn what he said over in her mind. Preying on her commitment to the coven and the upcoming event was a little underhanded, but he needed leverage to get her to say yes. He let go of her hand, figuring dragging her kicking and screaming wasn’t the best way to approach with her.
She bit her lower lip and looked him up and down. He willed his body not to react to her perusal, but it was damn hard. Hard. Fuck! Hard made him think of his dick, which was in a constant state of arousal since he’d left. It stirred in his pants the longer she stared at him, and he was sure she could see the effect she had on him.
She nodded her head slowly. “Okay, but only because we need to talk about work. I’m going to assume by the way you’re dressed I need to change.”
He let out a relieved breath. “Yes.”
“A nice outfit?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not sure I have one,” she warned.
Hope sprang in his chest. She was giving his invitation serious thought. “Let me help you choose. You know, so you don’t feel over or under dressed.”
“Okay,” she said, caution lacing her voice. “But only because I don’t know where we’re going. Unless, of course, you’d like to tell me.”
“And miss helping you out? No.”
“Figures. You know High Priestess Nevaeh chastised me when I gave her my update, and she discovered we haven’t been working together. I don’t know how you managed to get her wrapped around your finger, but I shouldn’t have been surprised.”
A part of him wanted to feel bad for getting her in trouble, but the other part of him was happy to see the High Priestess actually was on his side, even if it was unknowingly. “Let’s get you dressed.”
“I’ll dress myself. You’re only in my bedroom to see if there is something appropriate in my closet. If not, the date is off.”
Willow headed toward the back of the house, and took a right down a small hallway he hadn’t noticed on his last visit. Tucked neatly under the stairs were two doors. He would guess one was storage and the other her bedroom.
When she opened the one directly in front of her and walked inside, he had to stop just short of the threshold and take a breath. An unfamiliar feeling bubbled in his chest. Nervousness. Excitement. Anticipation. It was all jumbled together.
“Are you coming, or what?” She asked from deep within the room.
He felt like a little boy about to get his innermost secret wish. He stepped inside and immediately felt seduced. The room was done with deep dark chocolate walls and crisp white trims. A large, four-poster king size bed was tucked up close to the inner wall, with a satin brown comforter. A tall highboy dresser was catty-corner to it on the far wall. Matching side tables were on either side of the bed, with elegant beaded lamps. It had feminine touches with fuzzy pillows and filigree frames scattered about, but not too much that he felt out of place. There was opulence to the room that surprised him. Not that his Willow wasn’t beautiful or tasteful. He just figured the comfortable furnishings in the living and dining room would bleed over to her bedroom.
“Does it meet your approval?” She asked, leaning against the doorframe that lead, he assumed, to her closet and bathroom. Humor danced in her eyes.
“It’s not what I expected.”
“It never is,” she said. Her mouth curved into a sexy little grin. “Closet is this way. I figure you can see if there’s something suitable while I put some make-up on. Wouldn’t want to embarrass you in public by looking drab.” She turned and disappeared. He should assure her that would never happen but didn’t think she’d take him seriously.
He followed her, stepping into a short passageway. Pants were hanging in the closet on the left; to the right was another deeper closet. He stood in the doorway of the bigger closet trying to figure out where to start. Two racks of clothes greeted him. Spending time in a woman’s closet wasn’t something he did on a regular basis, but he doubted most of them looked like hers.
Willow had everything sorted by type of clothing, then by color. On the left, tank tops lead to short
-sleeved shirts. Then came long sleeved shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies. On the right were skirts measuring from short to long. Dresses came after them, followed by jackets. It was an OCD junky’s wet dream.
Tonight she would need a nice, not-too-dressy, dress. Something cute and flirty for his pleasure. Comfortable but not too revealing for her sensibilities. But then, everything in her closet was something she had picked out, wasn’t it? Something she thought she would wear at some point. He ran his hand down the neat row of hangers, coming to a stop at a cute short black sleeveless dress that flared at the bottom. There was lace at the top and a slight scoop to the neck. It would be perfect.
He pulled it out and took it to her. “This should do.” He held it, letting it dangle from his finger.
She inspected it quickly and nodded. “Dressy, but not too dressy. So a decent place that doesn’t require a tie, which you obviously aren’t wearing. You picked a black dress, so it might be a bit more upscale. I can’t think of any place in town where I would need this.”
“I’m still not telling you. Get dressed, Wills. Time’s a ticking.”
She sighed heavily and took the dress from him. She stared at him, a look of expectation on her face.
“Do you need my help?” He asked hopefully.
“No, but I do need you to leave. I’ll be out in a couple of minutes.”
“Aren’t you going to need me to zip you up?”
A sly grin lifted her lips. “I’m a witch, Cedric. I have magic for that.”
“Fine. For the record, I don’t mind helping. Sometimes you need a personal touch. Make it snappy, love.” He tapped his watch, then leaned in quickly and stole a kiss. He turned away and went out to the living room. He’d give her privacy—for now.
Willow: June Page 4