Cat’s Guide To Romance (Hex Is Where The Heart Is #3)

1. Sparkle

SPARKLE

The last glamour charm vibrates in my hand.

The last of my freedom to leave Hex without getting another witch involved or the council.

Drake made the charms years ago. I started hoarding them long before he died, back when the sweet witch who’d hired me at Flutter became someone I barely recognized.

Had he not changed, I’d mourn him. Instead, I mourn the freedom I once had.

All’s not lost, though. One night a year I get a free pass and can move among humans without much worry. Halloween. What a glorious night.

I pocket the charm. I’ve been saving it for months, waiting for the right emergency. Tonight doesn’t count. Halloween gives me one night of freedom, but I take the charm, anyway. Just in case.

Beau, my best friend, watches as I get ready for the night. He nibbles on a bowl of fruit while my youngest siblings cause chaos for mama in the living room. She knows how much I need the night off. I’m just glad the kittens are old enough I can have some breathing room.

“You’re always so pretty,” Beau says as he adjusts his noise canceling headphones. He’s taken to not wearing them as often, but when he’s at my house, he still needs them.

I give him a small smile. “I just know how to put on makeup.”

He shakes his head and drops his sunglasses a bit to look at me properly. “That’s not it. You’re a very pretty man. But don’t tell Poe I said that out loud.” He winks and chomps on a piece of watermelon.

The bat shifter is always eating fruit or sweets. We, and by we I mean the friend group, may have gotten him addicted to Warwick’s Wicked Bakery by accident. Not that I mind the daily visit for breakfast.

Beau hums and shuts his eyes as he eats a bit of strawberry. “I think Hex has the best fruit I’ve ever eaten in my life.”

“That’s because Hex is magical.” I wiggle my fingers and make him grin.

“That it is.” He slurps up the last of the fruit juice in his bowl, then flops on my bed. “I can’t imagine leaving ever again. Well, other than when I visit my family in West Virginia.”

I puff out a sigh and flop beside him, careful not to wrinkle my costume. White mesh crop top. White booty shorts. White lace choker with a silver bell. And we can’t forget my white ears and fluffy white tail. My tan clashes with all of it, but I like the sun. Sue me.

“Sorry,” Beau says and turns towards me. There’s a bit of drying fruit juice on his nose and cheeks. He’s always a messy eater, and it’s kind of adorable. He wraps his arms around me and we cuddle close.

“I miss this.” I brush his shaggy hair from his eyes.

“Me too,” he says and snuggles closer. “I should come over more. I miss living with you.”

I bury my face so I don’t have to look at him. Every single one of my friends has found their partner. When will it be my time?

Beau rubs my back as I fight off my melancholy. “Do you want me to come with you?” He swallows.

I know he’s offering to be a good friend, but he’s terrified I’ll say yes.

“No, sweet Beau.” I boop his nose. “I enjoy my time in the human realm, even when I’m alone.”

“If you’re sure? I’ll go change clothes and you can put some of your glitterys on me. We’ll look cute together.”

“No, you enjoy your time with Poe, darling. I’ll be dancing the night away without a care in the world.”

“You better,” Beau grins, and he rubs his head on my chin. “I’m rooting for you. You haven’t gotten away from the kittens in so long. You need this.”

“I really really do.” I kiss the end of his nose. “Maybe tonight I can test my luck with romance.”

Beau snorts. “Don’t you have a checklist or something written up?”

“A guide to my heart.” I press a hand to my chest. “Things that’ll woo me instantly.”

Beau’s brow scrunches, and he tips his head this way and that. “Is that normal? Did I miss out on yet another childhood milestone?”

“No.” I sigh and swipe a hand through my hair. “I’ve just always been a romantic. I’ve been adding to it since my first rom-com.” Which is probably ridiculous. I don’t care.

“I love that. Maybe I should write a list of things I love about Poe.”

“Gah, you are the cutest.” I hug him again and we start laughing.

“Poe would love that, you know. You could turn it into a date night writing a list of what you love about each other. Then he could feed you chocolate covered strawberries.” What would I give to have a partner willing to do that with me?

I swat the bed. “Anyway, I need to head out if I want to make it to the club before all the party favors get snatched up.”

Beau sucks in a breath. “Party favors?”

“Silly things like glow sticks and stickers, probably.”

“Glow sticks are always fun.” His eyes light up and I make a mental note to get my sweet friend some glow sticks.

I push to my elbows and look around my room.

It’s the only place in the entire house that’s not chaos.

Everything has its place. Not that I have much space.

It’s about the size of a closet, but the room’s mine and mine alone.

One day I’ll have more. One day, I’ll be able to be my own person and not a live-in babysitter.

Really, only Ferris still needs me. The girls have started building lives of their own. Mine still feels like it’s waiting to begin.

There’s a crash from the living room. “I’m okay!” Ferris calls out.

Beau and I chuckle before pushing to our feet.

Ferris is hopping on one foot when we exit my room. He waves franticly. “Have lots and lots and lots of fun!”

“Plan on it. Who knows, maybe I’ll meet someone.”

Beau’s eyes light up. “I hope you do. You deserve your happy ending.” He wraps me in a hug and smashes a kiss on my cheek. He walks with me down the road to where mama parks the car.

Beau hugs me goodbye before I borrow Mama’s car. She has no idea I drive it beyond the veils. Some secrets are better left alone. I crank the music until it rattles the windows. The drive to Evansville always feels endless, but tonight I don’t mind.

Maybe tonight I’ll meet the love of my life. Maybe I can finally live my life.