splashing her.
“It’s already happened with glitter. Why not fountain water?” At least it wasn’t pond scum, she consoled herself.
She sat on the edge of the fountain and studied the coin again. Then she looked up for her little bird friend to find that he, too, had abandoned her.
A wish.
What would she actually wish for if wishes came true?
Zuri didn’t know the answer.
She wanted to wish for her sister to have her heart’s desire, but the coin seemed to tell her that the wish had to be for herself.
Zuri remembered what her mother used to tell her. When faced with a tough decision, after weighing the pros and cons, if she still couldn’t come to a solution, she gave herself one second to choose. The first thing that came to her mind was the path she should take.
So Zuri held the coin close to her heart.
“Tell me what to do, Mama. What should I wish for?”
She tossed the coin into the fountain and the words came to her.
“My heart’s desire,” she whispered.
“And just what is that?” A deep voice startled her from the other side of the fountain.
“Jesus H.—Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to sneak up on people?”
A man came around from the other side. He was tall, blond, and . . . oh dear Lord, it was the Ken doll B and B owner. His eyes really were that green in real life. The same color as that damned frog.
“Sorry, I would’ve introduced myself, but you seemed kind of busy making a wish.”
“Oh, you too, with the wish stuff, huh? Well, I tested it. I made a wish.” She looked around. “I don’t see anything manifesting itself here other than you.”
He flashed her a grin. “Maybe it’s me. You never know.”
“It’s definitely not a man.” Even as pretty as that one was. “No offense.”
He laughed. “Blessings come in unexpected places. Perhaps, if your heart’s desire is to be warm and cozy by a fire with a hot chocolate, then I am the answer to your wish.”
She arched a brow at him. “Okay, that’s not a pickup line I’ve ever heard before.”
“That’s because it’s not one.”
“Why not?” She didn’t want to be insulted, she didn’t want to care whether he thought she was pretty, but an invitation to be cozy by a fire was usually a pass. Wasn’t it?
He laughed again. “Because you were pretty clear that you’re not interested in being pursued.”
“A gentleman who is still a gentleman after being told no. I think we can be friends. I’m Zuri.”
“Ah, yes, my expected guest. I’m Phillip Charming.” He bowed. “Ever at your service.”
His words caused a strange stab of desire deep in her core.
“Oh. The B and B owner,” she said out loud, because apparently she needed reminding. “I imagine that the hot chocolate and the fire are just a couple of the many amenities of a fairy-tale castle.”
“Indeed.”
“Sorry if I was . . .” She wasn’t quite sure the word she was looking for.
He held up his hands. “Not at all. You’re alone with a strange man in a forest. You should always, always stay on the path and trust your instincts. You never know who is going to be a wolf on the inside, am I right?”
“Exactly that. Too many of them look like princes but end up being frogs.”
“Hey, what’s wrong with frogs?” He looked gravely insulted.
“Nothing, really. There was a big granddaddy of a frog here earlier who seemed okay. A little indigestion, maybe. Not really the kind for kissing, either.”
“He might be.” Phillip arched a brow. “No?”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously. It’s a local legend that he’s actually a prince under a curse and only true love’s kiss can break it. You should give it a try. Everyone in town has done it. It’s a rite of passage.”
Zuri sighed. “I suppose it couldn’t be any worse than the last frog I kissed. Although, if I was smart, I’d tell myself that I shouldn’t be kissing frogs and expecting princes. Sometimes, a frog is just a frog.”
“Wanna talk about it?”
“No.” Zuri crossed her arms over her chest. “Maybe.”
“It’s overwhelming to tell new people your story. How about you let me ask questions, and you answer the ones you feel like talking about.”
“And what, three passes?” She wasn’t sure if she wanted to play this game.
“As many passes as you want.”
She studied Phillip for a long moment. He seemed sincere, but she didn’t know why he was willing to walk her drama llama.
“A person I cared about betrayed me.