Buttercup (Spell Library #10) - Helen Scott Page 0,3

helped cater since I moved to the area. It could be amazing for my business, not that I was struggling so much anymore, but still, I wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

I'd spent a decent amount of time getting ready, wanting to look good if people were going to associate me with my baked goods. I hadn't even used any magic to speed the process along, using the time to try and calm myself and chase away my nerves.

Part of my problem was that I was a bit of a hermit. I lived above my bakery, meaning I only left the building to go shopping or for a walk or something. Which in turn meant that I didn't see a lot of people, and unless they were regular customers, they probably had no idea who I was. It was my own fault, I'd been so focused on trying to be different from Minerva's Bakery, to carve out my own niche, that I'd forgotten how important it was to have friends in a small town like Silver Springs.

I did one last check in the mirror before I left. My hair was down and curled so it fell in waves around my face, if the curls were any tighter I'd run the risk of looking like Goldilocks, something I'd discovered when I was in high school, and it became my nickname. I pinned some of my hair back on my right side, exposing one side of my face and neck, with the buttercup flower clip that my mother had given me before she passed away. She promised it would always bring me good luck, but I'd yet to see any evidence of that.

My dress was brighter and more vibrant than most clothing I owned, but the theme of the hop was tropical and I was never one to resist a themed party. It was a cream color with a tropical print all over it. The leaves and flowers ranged from sagey-greens to bright, vibrant pinks and yellows. It clung to my upper half before flaring out around my hips after the belt-like section that nipped it in at the waist. The neckline was almost a V-neck, but it was more off the shoulder than anything else. There were slits on the front at either side of my legs, showing them off whenever I walked, giving a peek at my upper thighs. I topped it off with some strappy, white sandals and white and gold earrings.

I looked damn good if I did say so myself. The walk to the hop was fairly short and before I knew it I was in what felt like a tropical paradise, and it was all down to Iris and her talent with flowers. My gaze traveled over the room until it found her.

Iris was in a black satin dress that was covered in a print similar to the one on mine, but on a smaller scale, and her pattern was mostly flowers whereas mine was mostly leaves. It fit her just right and showed off her curves to perfection with its V-neck and knee-length skirt. It looked like the kind of dress that would float around if she was dancing.

“The flowers are stunning," I said when I reached her.

She startled slightly, and her eyes went wide. “Buttercup. Have you looked in the mirror? The flowers have nothing on you!” She walked over to me to give me a hug. “Do you have a few minutes? I have a present for you and I’d like to give it to you before I forget.”

I squeezed Iris back. “Thank you! I wasn’t sure I could pull this dress off, but I think I’m doing a pretty good job of it.” We stepped back from each other. “And a gift? You didn’t need to do that.”

Iris got that mischievous look in her eyes as she grinned. “I did. And after I pass you the gift, we’ll come back in here and party all night. I can’t wait to get some of that fairy wine. Also, this dessert table is almost too pretty to spoil by eating it. Almost. I plan to try one of each tonight. If not more. This fat girl loves her sweets.” We both laughed, and my heart felt lighter than it had all day. “Come on. Let’s hurry back because that hunky new bartender from Vee has been eyeing you like you’re a creme puff he’d love to enjoy.”

I gasped, although it sounded