Coven by Lacey Weatherford Page A

to set the table? I haven’t seen you
do that in a while,” Mom said.
    “Do you think Seth would still want to date
me if he knew I had a whole Beauty and the Beast magical plate and
utensil routine like the Disney movie? I could be the floor show
for dinner.”
    “I think the routine is cute. I loved when
you reenacted it for me when you were younger.”
    “Sadly, I don’t think he’d be that
impressed, seeing how he’s a warlock and all. He could probably do
the same thing himself.”
    “Maybe he already does!” my mom said in a
shocked sounding whisper and we both laughed.
    “Actually, I think we’d be more likely to
catch my new friend, Frankie, doing it than Seth. Frankie is much
more flamboyant, although I’d pay to see Seth do something like
it.”
    “You really like him, don’t you?” There was
a knowing look in Mom’s eyes.
    I shrugged, trying to play it cool. “I
barely know him; but what I do know, I really like. He’s
considerate, and funny.” I glanced at her. “And a really good
kisser—but don’t tell Dad!”
    “He’s kissed you already?” I couldn’t tell
if she was horrified or excited.
    “Yeah, but it wasn’t really a planned thing.
He was kind of having a disagreement with his friend who sort of
likes me, too. I think he did it just to piss him off, initially;
but then it was just like . . . I don’t know
. . . Wow! It was really good.”
    “No wonder you’ve been beaming. That’s your
first kiss, isn’t it?”
    “Well, unlike Sleeping Beauty, I never
happened to come across a handsome prince while I was being hidden
in a cabin in the woods. So, yes.”
    “Oh my goodness.” Mom’s hand fluttered to
her chest. “My little girl is growing up.”
    “Little, my eye. I’m taller than you are,
Shorty.”
    Mom laughed. “Barely, by like half an inch.
People probably don’t even notice.”
    “They don’t,” I agreed. “All they see is how
gorgeous you are—and how young you look. Everyone thinks you’re my
sister. It’s the same with dad. And can I just say how gross it is
to have girls my age tell me how hot my dad is? Ew.”
    Mom laughed. “Your dad is extremely good
looking. It’s hard for women not to notice. From the time I first
met your father, I was amazed at how women constantly ogled him. He
doesn’t even notice it, but I do.”
    “I get it. I just don’t like it.”
    “Well you should, because so many of your
wonderful traits come from him.”
    “Yes, I will forever more be the queen of
the barbecue.” I briefly let a fireball dance in my hand before
extinguishing it.
    Laughing, Mom shook her head. “Such high
ambitions.”
    “Don’t you know it? So, how are you enjoying
your new job at the clinic?”
    “I actually like it a lot. It’s different
than working shifts at a hospital, but I do like the hours much
better. It works out for me to be off work by the time you’re done
with cheer and whatnot. Plus, it’s fun to work in a pediatric
office.”
    “You’ve always enjoyed children.”
    “Yes, I have.”
    “How come you and Dad never had more?”
    Moving to rinse her hands in the sink, she
shrugged as she dried them on a towel. “I think we spent so much
time worrying about exposure after we had you—it concerned us that
we might have another baby who could potentially manifest powers at
such a young age. It’s hard to be out in public with a child who
keeps spontaneously bursting into flames. After you were in control
of your powers, then your dad became obsessed about teaching you
how to protect yourself. I guess no time seemed like a good time.
Why? Did you want a sibling?”
    “I don’t know. Sometimes I think it would’ve
been nice to have someone closer to my age to hang around with. But
I love being with you and Dad. At least I do when the two of you
aren’t plastered all over each other—which is all the time.” I
rolled my eyes.
    “What can I say? When it comes to sex, your
dad . . .”
    “You can just stop