Turning to look into my full-length mirror, I exhaled. “Since a spell didn’t get Lucas to look at me differently, maybe this dress will.”
My eyes lifted to see Sarah and Kristin exchange a knowing look. Kristin had hinted a few times over the last week that Lucas seemed to be very upset by what Wendy had said. I knew he had because he had texted me a dozen or more times. He also assured that he had never said that I was the last person he would ever want to be friends with. Then he said something interesting—that Wendy was jealous of me. I wanted to dig deeper into that, but I was tired of giving her any of my attention.
“We could always try another spell,” Sarah stated.
Turning, I looked at her as I chewed on my bottom lip. For a crazy few seconds, I almost agreed. “No,” I said with a shake of my head. “That’s not how I want it to be. If Lucas is interested in me, I want it to happen naturally. Not with any help.”
“You said he kissed you in his kitchen on the neck,” Kristin stated.
My hand went up to the spot.
“And that he almost kissed you on the lips until Wendy walked in. Well, we could do a simple love charm.”
I looked at Kristin who had one brow raised. “Then you would never know if it was the spell or not.”
“Maybe I should just forget about Lucas. Do you have a spell for that?” I asked my sister.
“I’m afraid not,” she replied as she reached for my hand. “Just have fun tonight, Hollie.”
Standing up straighter, I squared off my shoulders and put the little dress up against my body. “I think I will. And whatever happens, happens. I can’t stay out late tonight, though, because I have three events to set up tomorrow, so it will be an early evening for me.”
Sarah walked over and kissed me on the cheek, then pulled me in for a hug. “I’m so glad you’re finally opening your mind to your gifts, Hollie.”
I returned the gesture and hugged her in return. “I’m still not sure if it was all just a coincidence or a bit of hocus pocus.”
Sarah winked. “Maybe a little of both. Gotta run and get ready. I’m picking up Mom, Dad, and Lucy. See you guys there!”
“See ya later,” I called out, then turned back to Kristin.
“Will you let me do your hair?” she asked.
Laughing, I nodded.
Kristin jumped on the bed and clapped. “Let’s get started.”
Nearly two hours later, I stood in front of the same mirror and gaped at the transformation. The little witch’s dress fell to the middle of my thighs. The thigh-high stockings came up a few inches above my knees, and the high-heel black boots really made the outfit look sexier than it should have. My hair was pulled up and piled on top of my head in endless curls. My makeup was light, how I liked it, but I was wearing bright-red lipstick that Kristin said was the one thing that pulled the entire outfit together.
Placing her chin on my shoulder, Kristin giggled. “You are going to turn some serious heads tonight in this outfit.”
I felt my cheeks heat. There was only one man I wanted to get the attention of, and I wasn’t even sure he would be there. Maybe I shouldn’t have avoided him so hard this past week. I was just so confused and, if I was being honest, scared.
“Ready?” Kristin asked.
Turning, I looked at the black dress that hugged Kristin’s curves. She wore bright-orange boots and a matching orange hat. She handed me a hat, and I shook my head. “No hat for me tonight.”
“Okay, if you say so.”
Forty minutes later, we were walking in the front doors of the Hawthorne Hotel, where the Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball was taking place. For some reason, I was nervous, and my stomach felt jittery.
“What’s wrong?” Kristin asked as we made our way toward the ballroom.
“I don’t know. I feel like something is… Something is…”
“Something is what?”
“About to change but in a good way.”
With a smirk, she wrapped her arm with mine. “I think you’re right.”