a rumbling sound that might’ve been a cough. “Listen, if something is fate, you can’t get away from it no matter what you do. So how is it fucking with fate if we see Ravenna?”
Petty sighed the longest, most harried sigh Phillip had ever heard issue forth from another living being. “Listen, Berries for Brains, if fate has to move things around to put you where she wants you, you will definitely not enjoy the ride.”
Hunter snorted. “I’d say it’s already about as bad as it can get.”
Petty rolled her eyes skyward. “Deliver me from dumbasses.” Then she turned her eyes on Phillip. “Promise me that you won’t go to Ravenna for a cure.”
Phillip didn’t want to promise, but he also didn’t want to make Petty angry. He’d already been on the losing side of that once before.
He crossed his fingers behind his back. “I promise.”
“Good.” She pulled out her wand. “I have to get going. I’m in the middle of hiring an assistant, booking another wedding, and finishing up the last touches for the Taylor wedding tomorrow.”
“The Taylor wedding is fine, Petty. It’s all fine. My staff have everything under control. Even the champagne fountain and the cheeseball sculpture.”
“Cheeseball sculpture? I didn’t agree to this. That wasn’t in the plan.” Petty looked panicked.
“It’s the groom’s idea. He wanted to surprise the bride with a cheeseball sculpture in her likeness.”
“Oh dear Lord,” Petty gasped.
“Don’t worry. It’s fine. My chef handled it. It couldn’t look any better if a Renaissance master carved it out of marble,” Phillip reassured her.
“I really must go. I’ll see you soon. Remember your promise.” Petty disappeared.
Phillip locked gazes with Hunter.
“So are you keeping your promise?” Hunter said casually.
“Hell no. I had my fingers crossed. She hasn’t been able to fix this and neither has any standard cure. There’s no reason not to give Ravenna a bite at the apple.”
“Phrasing, my dude. Remember where we are,” Hunter said.
“Oh, right. Yeah.” Phillip grinned.
“Not one word to Ravenna about my . . .” Hunter seemed to struggle for the right words.
“Feelings?”
Hunter growled.
“I got your back.”
“Can we go to trivia now? I preordered my burger, and the bun’s probably soggy and the crisp lettuce leaf is probably wilted.”
“Saints preserve us from soggy buns, my friend.” He clapped Hunter on the back, and headed toward the town square with a strange, almost sour hope in his heart.
Chapter 3
Zuri Davis fell in love with Ever After as soon as her driver passed the city limits.
It was even better in person than it had been on the website.
The downtown area was the most wonderful and ridiculous thing she’d ever laid eyes on. The coffee shop was shaped like a French press, and it looked like there were places to sit on the roof and enjoy the view under the umbrella of what would’ve been the plunger on a real French press. The dress shop was what really got her. Cinderella and Fella. It was an A-line building but painted to look like a ball gown.
Fat, happy flowers with orange, yellow, and lavender blooms framed the town square and the pink stone walkways.
An evergreen forest rose up against the backdrop of the tiny town, and just like in the pictures, two castles loomed like mountains over it all.
No, the website didn’t do it justice.
The car rolled to a stop, and her driver pointed across the square. “There’s what you’re looking for. Fairy Godmothers, Inc.”
Zuri looked to where he pointed and saw a short, squat building where the facade had been crafted to look like two wings and the letter i in the sign was shaped like a magic wand. A thrill shot through her at the prospect of working there.
She was sure the people who lived in Ever After were probably inured to the kitsch that was somehow more magical than gimmicky, but Zuri was entranced.
If she couldn’t plan beautiful weddings here, well, there was just no hope for her.
“If you don’t mind, most of the residents walk in the square. The pink stone is delicate, you see,” the driver said.
“Oh! Of course.” She moved to get out.
“I’ll have your things waiting for you at the Charming B and B. It’s that castle over yonder,” the driver pointed out. “By the way, I’m Hansel. You give me a call if you need a ride up there after the godmothers have run you ragged.” He winked at her.
Zuri found herself smiling. Maybe it was foolish, but he immediately set her at ease. His manner was