Griff
“So, I suppose Haven wants me to flirt with his friend so you two can have some time to yourself?” asked Darcy.
“You know, not everyone is gay, or bi, or pansexual,” replied .
“Come on, gay guys have gay guy friends.”
“Sure, but I think Haven just came out as bi for the first time—and to me , someone he’s met one time. I’m not even sure if he’s…” cut his sentence short, snatching the drink from Darcy and placing both cups on an empty pedestal as Haven and Alo reappeared.
“One each,” Haven said with a smile as he and Alo passed out the new cups. “Cheers, gents.”
The group joined their glasses together for a celebratory cheer. Looking from his old cup to his new one, Darcy shrugged and took another drink.
“So, you two have never been to Crescent Ridge before?” asked Alo.
“Nope,” said .
“Maybe we should come more often, though,” Darcy said, giving Alo a wink.
Alo smiled and looked away.
“It’s not all that,” added Haven. “I prefer the forest that borders the town.”
“That’s where you two met, huh?” Alo asked, looking from to Haven. “Sounds romantic.”
Haven nudged Alo as though to ask his friend not to embarrass him.
“The forest over this, huh? Must be the park ranger in you,” chimed in , sensing Haven’s bashful reaction.
“ Must be, ” Haven said, unable to resist looking into ’s eyes as he did.
smiled, looking down at his drink before purposefully spilling some onto the floor. “Oh, shit. I’m so sorry.”
“Oh, don’t even worry about it,” Haven was quick to reply. “Let me get some napkins just so no one slips.”
“Napkins?” Alo asked absentmindedly, his body swaying to the music. “Think we just passed them.”
“Perfect,” said Haven. “Why don’t you show me where they are then?”
“They’re right on the round table when you walk into the—” Alo was cut off as Haven pushed him along.
“We’ll be right back, boys,” Haven said with a smile as he shot Alo a look.
“Oh, um, yes,” Alo said with a hiccup.
“Hold my drink?” Haven asked, extending his arm to .
“Of course,” nodded as he took the cup.
Alo set his cup on the pedestal from earlier. “Don’t roofie us,” he said with a wink before disappearing with Haven into the next room.
“The irony,” said as he eyed both Haven and Alo’s drinks, plus the two cups he had already placed on the pedestal.
The sound of a pair of intimidating high heels on the rich mahogany floors caught the attention of Darcy. He looked across the room for the source of the sound.
“Wait a second,” said, patting Darcy’s chest to get his attention. “That’s her .”
“Dr. Dark Moon!” shouted Darcy.
The woman in question was facing away from them and already headed in the opposite direction when she stopped and turned. felt his heart race as the doctor waved at Darcy. Oh, god. That’s the last thing I wanted him to do, he thought to himself.
and Darcy locked eyes like a comedic duo unsure of how to make the next move in a silly action movie.
“Mr. Landon, what a pleasant surprise.”
As the witches looked back, Dr. Dark Moon was already striding across the room to meet them. Her hand outstretched, Darcy was the first to reach forward and shake it. “Dr. Dark Moon, it’s good to see you,” Darcy gulped. “I would say I’m surprised, too, but I guess I’m at Dark Moon Manor, so it’s actually kind of a coincidence.”
Oh, god, thought to himself. Darcy’s even worse than me under pressure.
It surprised to hear Uriah’s voice tapping into his thoughts. ?What’s going on, little witch??
Dr. Dark Moon’s only response was to smile at Darcy before turning to . “I don’t believe we’ve met yet.”
“ Kyler,” said as he shook the doctor’s hand. “I’m also a student at MHU. In their theater program.”
“, it’s a pleasure. I’m Luna Dark Moon, but everyone seems to want to call me doctor,” she said with a relatable laugh.
“Well, doctor,” said with a half-smile as he put on his best gay charm, “I have to say that your manicure is absolutely stunning.”
“Hm?” The doctor looked down at her hands and smiled. “Oh, these? You’ll have to excuse me for being out with a chipped nail—I need to go back in to get them touched up—but I appreciate the compliment.”
As the doctor flexed her hand, noticed where a piece of the red acrylic had snapped off and was missing. ? All right, Ri. I’m with Dr. Dark Moon, and she has a chip in her red manicure. I’m just repeating this to myself—and to you—in case my queer eye comes in handy for any future detective work.?
Darcy nervously tapped his solo cup. “So what exactly is it that brings you back to Moonhaven, Dr. Dark Moon?”
“Well, I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but there will be a special toast happening at the top of the hour in the manor’s east ballroom.”
“Noted,” said with a smile.
“I look forward to seeing you two there, and around campus back in Mystic Hollow,” the doctor feigned a smile before turning back around and heading in the original direction she was going.