Page 68 of Witchful Thinking
“We’re going to have to talk about this picture,” Callie said. “You can’t hold out on us.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“It could be worse,” Sirena said. “You could be in your underwear.”
Argh. Leave it to Sirena to find the bright side. Callie flicked through the online gallery with her thumb. “Whoever took these did a great job. Oh. Nice. I just found my new background photo!” Callie held up her phone, waving it in her face. Lucy held up her hand.
“Stop. I’m trying to get my money’s worth in mimosas right now.”
“Not until you really look at it!”
Fine. Lucy snatched the phone from Callie. Her jaw dropped. Whoa. Who was that lady?
“Tell me you don’t look gorgeous. Those jeans make your butt look good.”
“Not from that angle,” Lucy muttered.
“Those are my jeans. Thank you very much,” Sirena said.
“So, when is the wedding?”
“Please don’t mention the word ‘wedding’ to me.”
She sipped the dregs of her mimosa while holding Callie’s phone. Despite herself, she clicked through to the photo series. They looked good. Like a Shutterstock photo that she used on her personal Instagram post to show what the best version of love could be. They were wannabe #couplegoals. In another world, these pictures could’ve been their engagement shoot. Her heart hoped. Lucy handed Callie back her phone. No, she ordered herself, don’t wish for anything that can break you.
Ursula swept into Mimi’s Diner.
“Who picked this place? The parking is terrible.” Ursula sat down in the booth.
“Look who’s gone viral.” Callie held up her phone.
Ursula glanced at the photo with passing interest. “I heard. Mrs. Walker showed me the video.”
“There’s a video! I have to see this.” Now it was Sirena’s turn to pick up her phone.
“She was very surprised I won first place instead of you.” Ursula made a face. Lucy sipped from her flute even though it was almost empty. “I said that it was a singing contest, not a performance, but—oh.” She lifted a shoulder. “She adores it. She won’t stop talking about it.” Ursula poured herself a drink. She studied her nails, not looking at Lucy. Lucy’s stomach dropped. Uh-oh.
“She wants to know if you’ll consider singing at the wedding.”
Lucy felt the familiar tingling on her tongue. Callie peered over her phone. Sirena looked from Ursula to Lucy. She didn’t want to say yes, but the wish compelled her not to say no. Enough was enough. Her wish wasn’t going to ruin Ursula’s wedding. She wasn’t seeking excitement at the cost of Ursula’s happiness.
“It’s your day.”
“It’s not a big deal.”
“It’s a big deal to me.”
“Are you saying no?”
Lucy let the silence speak for her. Ursula chugged the glass in one swallow. She dabbed her mouth with a napkin from the table, then faced Lucy.
“Rethink your answer. Mrs. Walker said it would be perfect,” Ursula said, her voice sounding robotic. “I can’t tell her no. She really thinks that it would be perfect. You can’t say no, because I need you to say yes. Because if you say no, I have to tell her—I can’t tell her no.”
Ursula clenched her mouth shut. The table grew silent.
“Do you want me to sing at your wedding?” Lucy asked.
Ursula’s face fell. A shadow of grief crossed over her face. “It doesn’t matter what I want.”