Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 42942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
“We could always try another spell,” Sarah stated.
Turning, I looked at her as I chewed on my bottom lip. For a crazy few seconds, I almost agreed. “No,” I said with a shake of my head. “That’s not how I want it to be. If Lucas is interested in me, I want it to happen naturally. Not with any help.”
“You said he kissed you in his kitchen on the neck,” Kristin stated.
My hand went up to the spot.
“And that he almost kissed you on the lips until Wendy walked in. Well, we could do a simple love charm.”
I looked at Kristin who had one brow raised. “Then you would never know if it was the spell or not.”
“Maybe I should just forget about Lucas. Do you have a spell for that?” I asked my sister.
“I’m afraid not,” she replied as she reached for my hand. “Just have fun tonight, Hollie.”
Standing up straighter, I squared off my shoulders and put the little dress up against my body. “I think I will. And whatever happens, happens. I can’t stay out late tonight, though, because I have three events to set up tomorrow, so it will be an early evening for me.”
Sarah walked over and kissed me on the cheek, then pulled me in for a hug. “I’m so glad you’re finally opening your mind to your gifts, Hollie.”
I returned the gesture and hugged her in return. “I’m still not sure if it was all just a coincidence or a bit of hocus pocus.”
Sarah winked. “Maybe a little of both. Gotta run and get ready. I’m picking up Mom, Dad, and Lucy. See you guys there!”
“See ya later,” I called out, then turned back to Kristin.
“Will you let me do your hair?” she asked.
Laughing, I nodded.
Kristin jumped on the bed and clapped. “Let’s get started.”
Nearly two hours later, I stood in front of the same mirror and gaped at the transformation. The little witch’s dress fell to the middle of my thighs. The thigh-high stockings came up a few inches above my knees, and the high-heel black boots really made the outfit look sexier than it should have. My hair was pulled up and piled on top of my head in endless curls. My makeup was light, how I liked it, but I was wearing bright-red lipstick that Kristin said was the one thing that pulled the entire outfit together.
Placing her chin on my shoulder, Kristin giggled. “You are going to turn some serious heads tonight in this outfit.”
I felt my cheeks heat. There was only one man I wanted to get the attention of, and I wasn’t even sure he would be there. Maybe I shouldn’t have avoided him so hard this past week. I was just so confused and, if I was being honest, scared.
“Ready?” Kristin asked.
Turning, I looked at the black dress that hugged Kristin’s curves. She wore bright-orange boots and a matching orange hat. She handed me a hat, and I shook my head. “No hat for me tonight.”
“Okay, if you say so.”
Forty minutes later, we were walking in the front doors of the Hawthorne Hotel, where the Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball was taking place. For some reason, I was nervous, and my stomach felt jittery.
“What’s wrong?” Kristin asked as we made our way toward the ballroom.
“I don’t know. I feel like something is… Something is…”
“Something is what?”
“About to change but in a good way.”
With a smirk, she wrapped her arm with mine. “I think you’re right.”
We walked into the room to find it packed as usual. The annual ball was a costume party and an event where people could speak and interact freely with those who practiced Witchcraft. There would be Tarot cards, folk magick, spells, crystals, astrology, ceremonial magick, and so much more. And food. There would be some amazing food as well as it just being a really fun time.
Walking farther into the room, I stopped to read the food menu.
Warm Brie Dip
Buffalo Cauliflower with a blue cheese dip
Chicken and Lemon Tacos
Veggie Egg Rolls
Cheese Boards
Fruit Boards
Mediterranean Station
“I say we hit up the Mediterranean Station. Those marinated olives and grilled veggies sound like heaven!” I said as my hand covered my growling stomach.
Kristin grabbed my hand, and we wound our way through the crowd, stopping to say hello to friends along the way.
“Hollie?”
The sound of my name caused me to stop. Turning, I saw Shawn, Lucas’s best friend.
“Hi, Shawn.”
He made no effort to hide the fact that his gaze was sweeping over my body. “You look amazing.”
“Doesn’t she, though?” Kristen agreed. “We’re on our way to get some food. Toodles!”
Pulling me by the arm, Kristin practically dragged me away from Shawn.
“That was rude,” I said as we walked up to the food table and each took a plate. I started to pile grilled veggies onto my plate as Kristin huffed.