Accidental Leigh by Melanie James Page B

were invited to a cookout or something. Out in Skokie. I guess the old man wants to thank us for replacing his garage roof.”
    “Skokie? By any chance, was the name Harold Epstein?”
    “Yeah, that’s him. Why?”
    “Oh my God. That’s my Dad.”
    “Really! What a coincidence! How about it? We’ll go together?” Then he paused. “Well, I mean, I don’t want to make it seem like we are going to meet your parents, like we are in a relationship or something- um, that sounded awkward.”
    “No, no. I understand what you mean, and I think it would be a great idea. Even better, we can bring Kelly and Lindsey along to see your friends again. Seems like they really hit it off last time!”
    “Well, we better keep them sober . I’d hate to see them start another game of strip poker in your parents’ kitchen.”
    “Or worse.” I was referring, of course, to the witchcraft induced ménage that was certain to play out unless I intervened. The next day I would have to do a little rewrite of events.
    Later, Hunter took me home. We stood at my door and I invited him in, but to my surprise, he told me he had to be up early. He held me tight and gave me the sweetest kiss. My heart just melted and then we said goodnight.

Chapter Twelve
    Going to a Garden Party
     
    I woke up completely refreshed. The previous day’s date with Hunter had worked out wonderfully and I couldn’t wait to see him again. I was also relieved to have a possible solution to fixing the scheduled orgy at my parents’ upcoming party. I made calls to both Lindsey and Kelly. The party at my mom and dad’s house was going to be mandatory attendance for them. No excuses! I needed their talents to keep any stray roofers from getting snagged in any lingering magic, once I rewrote the script.
    I had anguished over whether to just come up with a way to somehow cancel the party. I was afraid any cancellation would only delay the inevitable and most likely to a time when I would have no control over the events. I gave Lindsey’s and Kelly’s numbers to Hunter so that he could have the guys make their calls and invite the girls. My job was to be sure that they agreed to go.
    The party was the next day. Luna and I both seemed to pace around, trying to decide what would be the best way to rewrite the story. It was nice having Luna around. I had become a witch and apparently she had become my classic witch’s familiar, the black cat. I had been talking to her more, and that certainly had to help our relationship. It was a beautiful Friday afternoon and the weekend that I had been dreading was starting to look a little brighter. I owed that to Hunter.
    My door opened and in came chaos. Lindsey and Kelly were laughing and joking , as if they were two school girls that had just been asked out to the prom.
    “They called! Both of us got calls!” Lindsey said in a yelping high voice.
    “Do you even know which one was which?” I asked.
    “Leigh. You saw how freaking hot those guys are. You think it matters? I’d take any… or all.”
    “Well, I suppose you’re right. Just as long as you keep them both focused on you. I am planning a little rewrite of the magic script, but just in case they feel compelled to do something crazy, you two need to stop them. I don’t care how you do it.”
    “Great! So let’s talk about this script. I want to set up some future dates with a roofer. So don’t make it turn out badly for us.” Lindsey’s desperation was showing.
    “Yes! Me , too. Let’s write some steam, Leigh!” Kelly was nearly panting.
    “Easy now , ladies, this has to be done very carefully. Almost anything can be taken very literally, and that is exactly how I got into this predicament to begin with.”
    I sat down at my desk and Luna joined me. Kelly and Lindsey looked over my shoulders as I turned on my monitor. “Now, here is the original piece where I was writing about Harry the werewolf and his evil woman. Harry’s fate will be my Dad’s fate,