Chapter 2
two
The Glass Slipper Gang
SEPTEMBER—PRESENT
ELLA
I’ve really stepped off into the deep end now.
You didn’t dodge another deer, did you?
ELLA
Too soon. But no.
No big bad wolves?
ELLA
Be serious.
One can never be too careful.
brIDGET
You didn’t ask for anything from a fairy godmother, did you?
ELLA
I can’t imagine being that desperate.
brIDGET
Luke kissed you??
ELLA
This is… not about Luke.
brIDGET
That’s not a no.
I am going to be majorly offended if that happened and I didn’t get a phone call.
ELLA
No.
brIDGET
I know! You finally got to ride in a pumpkin carriage.
ELLA
Nope. Y’all are terrible at this game.
brIDGET
Laila told you to just tell us.
ELLA
Holly thinks Luke and I are engaged.
ELLA JANE TAYLOR, ANSWER MY VIDEO CALL RIGHT NOW!
ELLA
Can’t. I’m on the sidewalk of Once Upon a Brew and there are ears everywhere. Supposedly, the gnomes have literal ears.
I’m sorry, did you say gnomes?
brIDGET
Was this a thing when we lived there?
Do they have little gossip clubs? I need to know how this works.
ELLA
This is a real, actual problem.
Why does Holly think you’re engaged to Luke?
ELLA
Susie from the bridal shop told me she pulled dresses…
In front of Holly.
Please keep this quiet. I’ll figure something out. Gotta go.
Ella, don’t you dare leave us hanging like this! What is happening? The gnomes are less of a concern than the phone tree!
brIDGET
Susie told you she pulled dresses… for you?
Ella, connect the dots for us, please!
This is serious.
brIDGET
I think she’s ignoring us.
Do you have any idea what’s going on?
brIDGET
No. I was going to ask you the same. What’s this about a phone tree?
You know like in Practical Magic? Someone calls someone else and they call someone else…
brIDGET
That’s not real.
You wish it wasn’t real.
brIDGET
There’s so much happening in this chat right now.
There’s about to be so much happening in this town right now.
brIDGET
You got there all right?
Not yet. About 20 minutes away.
brIDGET
Text me when you’re all set up and let me know about Ella.
Not a problem.
brIDGET
Laila? Be careful. Something is off about this. I’ll be there as soon as I can but just… be careful.
I’ve got it under control.
brIDGET
I know you think you do.
It’s just Enchanted Hollow, Bridge. What’s the worst that could happen?
brIDGET
You really want me to answer that?
… never mind.