Page 48 of Witchful Thinking
“How are you, cuz? It’s been a while,” Sirena said.
“I’ve been busy with wedding planning. I have a nail appointment today. We’re finishing up dress alterations, and we’re looking at finalizing cake flavors. I like Earl Grey, but Marcus likes mango,” Ursula said, doing a little dance of victory.
Sirena raised a brow at Ursula. “Marcus went to the tasting?”
“Lincoln couldn’t make it. We’re going out for karaoke, though, just to blow off some steam,” Ursula said. “You’re all invited to come out with us.”
“Wait. You haven’t told me about your wedding flowers,” Lucy said. “I want to have them done in time.”
“We have time,” Ursula said lightly. “There’s no rush. I mean, we’rejust pickingout the wedding cake.”
“Speaking of cake, how was the cakewalk?” Callie asked.
“It was fine,” Ursula said crisply.
“You know what Nana said about being fine?” Callie lowered her voice and took on Nana’s classic raspy drawl. “Baby doll, ‘fine’ is just another way to say ‘feelings inside, not expressed.’”
“‘Fine’ is just another way to say ‘I’m about to be upset soon,’” Sirena added with a smile.
“It was more than fine.” Ursula took a seat; she studied her nails. “We broke last year’s fundraising record.”
“That’s wonderful!” Lucy sat up. Ursula still didn’t look at her. Uh-oh.
“The committee wanted to personally thank Alex for his extreme generosity. I just went over and talked to him.” Ursula paused, then sighed. Her words came out in a quick rush, as if she’d run out of air. “He paid a lot of money for a cake made by a home baker and, well…I made him an offer.”
Lucy’s stomach dropped. “What did you offer?”
“Well, I offered a private afternoon tea reading and tasting with the baker if he pledged to double his donation.”
Lucy pointed to herself. “You’re talking about me.”
“I’m not talking about Betty Crocker! Yes, you.” Ursula rolled her eyes. “He guaranteed he’d donate the money if you go today. It would be great for the committee if we could follow through on the offer, and it would look good for me.”
“Welp,” Sirena said, finishing her drink.
“I don’t know.” Lucy put her tea down. Stunned and embarrassed after Alex’s winning bid, she had cleaned up her table and traded contact information with Poe and Theo, then immediately left.
Ursula’s eyes grew round. “Please, Lucy. Mrs. Walker’s so impressed with how I ran the fundraiser. This donation is a sure thing. I need you to do this favor.”
Lucy stood. Before she did this favor for Ursula they needed to talk about Alex. Sirena and Callie watched from their seats, leaning forward. Lucy didn’t want an audience for this conversation, so she decided to move.
“You look thirsty. Let’s get you a fresh glass of tea in the kitchen.”
Ursula nodded. Once they were alone at the kitchen table, Lucy poured Ursula a glass. She didn’t drink it but stared at Lucy.
“Say what you need to say. I’m burning daylight and I have a lot to do.”
“Did you threaten to hex Alex?”
Ursula blinked. “Yes, and?”
There wasn’t a hint of apology in her voice.
“Seriously?”
“Don’t be fooled. He wasn’t the sensitive, sweet photography guy back in high school.” Ursula tilted her head to the side; her eyes took on a skeptical glint. “He was a player. That merman flirted with all the fish in the sea. You didn’t see how he looked at you.”
Lucy straightened, interested. “How did he look at me?”