Murphy (Glendale Magic #5)

Chapter 1

HILLARY

Spring

As she got out of her car, she smoothed her black cocktail dress while mentally going over the checklist in her head.

She had an amazing team that had handled executing this gala, so all she needed to do was show up and enjoy herself.

But “just showing up and enjoying herself” did not come easily to Hillary.

She didn't become head of PR for an organization as big as The Magic by just standing by. She had lists. Her lists had lists. And she had goals.

As she entered the ballroom, she pulled her phone out from her clutch. Guests would start arriving in thirty minutes. The room was decorated beautifully with deep purple and gold. The bar was stocked, the silent auction was organized, and food was just being set up.

Check. Check. Check.

"Hey, Hillary, what do you think?" asked Sasha Maloof, the team's social media manager.

"It looks stunning. Are the auction items all set up?"

"Yep."

"What about the DJ? Does he have a do-not-play list? This isn't a wedding, there will be no Cupid Shuffle," she added.

"Done. And I’ll check to make sure the mic is all set up so the GM can do the greeting and auction announcements. And the magicians are setting up, and the fortune teller just arrived."

"Wow, well. . . that sounds good."

"Excellent. I'm going to freshen up really quick, but if you need anything, I'll be around."

Sasha disappeared out the doors and Hillary pulled out her phone to check her list, and yes, it looked like everything was done. Surely that was wrong. There had to be something she needed to do.

"Is something wrong, my dear?" asked a kind voice with a thick, Scottish brogue.

"What? No. Why? Is something wrong?" Hillary turned and asked quickly.

"Oh, no, nothing at all. I just saw ye standin' here with your brow all bunched up, and I thought I would see if everything was well."

Then the woman smiled at her. It wasn't just an ordinary smile. It was more of a smirk. And somehow, as she did, Hillary found her shoulders relaxing as she released a slow exhale.

"There, that's better. What do you say to a card reading before the night gets too crazy and the furrowed brow makes a return?"

Hillary took a breath and looked around the room. Sasha was right, everything was done. Hillary had spent years making sure her team operated like a well-oiled machine, and the flawless start to this massive event was a testament to that.

"Ya know what, why not?"

"Wonderful, right this way," the woman said, leading Hillary over to her little table.

They made their way to her small two-person table draped in a purple tablecloth and a well-worn deck of cards sitting in the center. “Cut the deck, my dear.”

As Hillary reached out and cut the deck, it was as if a small tingling sensation traveled up her arm. With a little shake of her head, she shook away the surprising sensation.

With a grin like the Cheshire Cat, the woman across from her picked up the cards and laid the first one down.

Before her lay the Nine of Swords. With a small tsk, the woman covered her heart.

“Oh, ye poor thing. It seems there have been some trying times in yer past. Perhaps times when ye felt a bit closed off or unheard.” She looked back up at her with an understanding gaze.

“It is a good thing that card is in the past. Now let’s see if we can get insight into your present situation. ”

The woman flipped over the next card, the Chariot.

“Well, it seems like ye took that past where ye felt helpless and learned how to help yerself. Ye are in control of everyone, everything, always. Am I right?” the woman asked with a wink.

Hillary huffed a small laugh before giving her a small nod.

“Now, let’s see what the future has in store, shall we?”

She flipped over the next card, revealing The Fool. Hillary felt an internal scoff as her eyes flew up to the woman who merely smirked at her.

“I see what ye’re thinking, my dear. Please have no misconception about this card. This is a truly remarkable card. It is the card of a fresh start, a clean slate, a new journey.”

Hillary nodded, taking in the cards in front of her. This wasn’t really anything she had held much stock or belief in. Yet something about the cards and the woman before had her questioning that.

"What do ye say, lass? Do the cards ring true?"

A rough chuckle came from her. "Yeah," she said with a nod. "A little too true. Where did Sasha find you?"

"No need to worry about that. In fact, no need to worry about anything tonight. I think you've earned a night of fun. Just follow your heart and let your hair down. I have a feeling this night is going to be a smash. So why don't ye enjoy it?"

Something about the woman's confidence and the completed checklist on her phone told her that this woman might be right.

Maybe it was time for her to finally let her hair down.

As she looked around the room, she saw that the guests were slowly starting to arrive, and everything was running according to plan.

She was right, there really was nothing left for her to do but enjoy herself.

"Ya know what, I think I might try that tonight."

"Sounds like a wonderful change for ye, my dear."

Hillary nodded. She could do it. She could let go just for tonight. What was the worst that could happen?

"I'm going to go get a drink. I hope you have a wonderful night," she said to the fortune teller.

"You too, I hope ye let your hair down and live it up. Ye're only young once."

Hillary made her way over to the bar. While she hadn't felt young in a long time, if ever, if she was being honest, something about that card reading was sticking with her. She worked hard. She'd set up a wonderful team. Maybe it was time to live it up a little.

"Vodka and cranberry," she told the bartender.

"Coming right up."

She turned and took in the room. The music had started, and the silent auction would be open soon. And the players were arriving. It was going to be a good night.

She grabbed the drink from the bar and made her way over to some of the players. "Hey guys, don't be stingy with the auction items, this is to fund the organization’s charities."

"We got you," said Wes Darling with his signature cocky grin.

"I already know the item I'm bidding on. I'll be right back," said a distracted Conner McPhee.

Then Murphy turned to her with a grin covering his face. "I'm so excited to be a part of it this year. I'm going to check them out carefully and pick the best thing."

She couldn't help but smile at him. It was his rookie year, and there was just something about him that made her smile.

He was always volunteering for everything, and she could tell he was trying his best. In her time here, she'd seen lots of players come and go. Murphy O’Rourke was a good one. She hoped he'd be around for a while.

"If I have any questions, I'm going to come find you," he said with his signature broad grin.

"You do that."

"And then maybe I'll find you later for a dance as well."

She cocked her head to the side. She was ten years older than him, so what harm could a dance do? She took a long sip of her vodka cran. "You sign up with the professional athlete money, and I'll dance with you."

"I'm going to take you up on that," he said, smiling at her again before he turned and made his way over to the silent auction.