Page 62 of Witchful Thinking

Lincoln jerked back as if slapped, then gave Marcus a pointed stare. Lucy glared at him. Lincoln shook his head, annoyed, and got out of the booth. “Let’s get you signed up for karaoke.” He held out his hand to Ursula. She took his hand and went with him, flashing a pleading look at Lucy. She hadn’t started it, but she was going to end it. Once they left, she faced Marcus.

“What the what was that about?”

“Lincoln’s been stressed out. He wants everything to be perfect for the wedding,” Marcus said. “He wants to make sure nothing ruins it.”

“So, he’s coming at my neck about a cake.” Lucy held up her hands. “I didn’t do anything.”

“I hear you. Mom likes you a lot. Ursula feels like she has to live up to your example.”

“Your mom didn’t like me when we were dating,” Lucy pointed out. “It’s not my fault Ursula didn’t get the credit she deserved, or no one bid on her cake.”

“No, she got a bid,” Marcus said. “I—I know she got a bid.” He snapped his mouth shut. Lucy eyed him. His face flushed, and he peeled off the beer label. Lucy’s senses tingled. Something was going on. There was a movement in the crowd as people shifted around and came into the bar.

“You’ve been acting strange since Alex moved back,” Marcus said carefully, as if walking on eggshells.

“Strange how?” Lucy asked. Maybe the wish was making her act a little different.

“I mean, you never baked for me.”

Alex approached the table just in time to hear her respond.

“You don’t like my sweets,” Lucy said.

“I love your sweets. I’ll eat them right now,” Alex said.

Alex stood there in his jacket, T-shirt, and jeans, watching them. His black hair caught the overhead lights and shimmered against his brown skin. Behind his black-framed glasses, his hazel eyes lit up with a quiet warmth. He jammed his hands into his pockets and leaned back. His solid jaw could cut glass, and those lips of his made her yearn for quick kisses. Lucy wanted to throw her hands out and squeeze him.

“Sorry I’m late,” Alex said.

“You’re just in time.”

Ursula and Lincoln returned to the table. They briefly greeted Alex, then faced Marcus and Lucy. “The contest is starting. All performers need to head to the back room.” Ursula clapped excitedly.

“We should head back there,” Marcus said. “I want to be able to feel and hear the off-key notes.”

The five of them made their way to the back room of the bar. There was a makeshift stage next to a large screen that displayed the words and had a tinsel curtain. Several tables and four booths served as the captive audience for the empty karaoke stage. The group claimed a booth tucked in the corner next to the stage.

Alex eyed the thick binders of laminated paper and the slips of paper on the table. “I completely forgot how this whole situation works. Run it by me again.”

Lucy leaned over to Alex. “You find your song number in the binder. Write down your name and number on the slip. Give it to the DJ in the back. You wait until your name and song pop up. Then you go onstage and sing.”

Alex glanced around for the DJ. Lucy motioned to the back corner of the room, where a man in an illuminated booth was working on a computer.

“Actually, tonight’s contest is a little different,” Ursula said. “They’ll announce the theme, and then we pick and perform a song based on it.”

“Do you know the theme?”

“No. They keep it a secret until the night of. Last month, the theme was One Hit Wonder,” Ursula said. “Linc, do you remember the song I sang?”

“Something about Tina,” Lincoln said with a laugh.

“‘Mambo No. 5,’” Marcus said without looking up from his drink. Lucy shared a look with Alex, who raised a questioning brow. Marcus and Ursula seemed to have become fast friends.

The DJ’s booming voice came over the speaker. “Good evening. Tonight’s karaoke theme is Heartbreak and Love Songs! All songs must be connected to love, lust, and broken hearts. If you’re competing in tonight’s karaoke contest, please select your song in the next five minutes. Write down your name and submit your song. Once again, today’s theme is Heartbreak and Love Songs. Get those songs in!”

“I’ve got the perfect one!” Ursula sang happily as she opened the bigger song binder.

“So, you and Alex are dating?” Lincoln asked, pointing between them.