Chapter 14

FOURTEEN

M ari stepped into the festively decorated community center, her senses immediately overwhelmed by the vibrant colors, lively music, and mouthwatering aromas of the Mexican fiesta. Tabitha had truly gone all out, transforming the space into a slice of Mexico right in the heart of Whispering Pines.

Strings of colorful papel picado banners hung from the rafters while flickering candles in painted terra cotta holders cast a warm glow over the room. A long buffet table laden with an array of traditional dishes that made Mari's stomach rumble in anticipation dominated the far wall.

"Mari, you made it!" Celeste called out, waving her over to a group of women clustered around a pitcher of sangria. "Here, try this - Ivy outdid herself with the drinks tonight."

Mari accepted a glass of the ruby-red liquid, inhaling the heady scent of wine, brandy, and fresh citrus. She took a sip, the flavors bursting on her tongue in a delightful medley.

"Wow, Ivy, this is incredible," she praised, savoring another mouthful.

Ivy grinned, raising her own glass in a mock toast. "Just wait until you try Ellie's paloma. That woman has a magic touch with tequila and grapefruit."

Laughter rippled through the group, Ellie taking a playful bow. "What can I say? It's a gift."

As Mari mingled, she couldn't help but marvel at the spread Tabitha had put together. Ivy handed her a glass of Horchata juice. "I'll make you a paloma but try this awesomeness in the meantime."

Mari took a sip and moaned. "This is so yummy. I love cinnamon and this tastes divine. There's liquor in this?"

"Nope. This is like a juice. But there's tequila in a paloma. You're gonna love it."

Platters of homemade tamales, both savory and sweet, sat alongside bowls of richly spiced pozole and fragrant chipotle-lime chicken tacos. Chilaquiles, mole, and guacamole were making her mouth water. A colorful array of salsas, from mild pico de gallo to fiery habanero, offered a spectrum of heat to suit every palate.

For those craving a sweeter treat, Elsie had whipped up a batch of her famous churros, the cinnamon-sugar-dusted fritters still warm from the fryer with homemade cajeta . Molly's tres leches cake took pride of place at the center of the dessert table, the moist, creamy confection a decadent temptation.

Mari filled a plate, her mouthwatering at the enticing scents. She settled at a table with Luna, Sera, and Marianne, content to bask in their easy camaraderie.

"Ophelia!" Tabitha yelled, a wide smile on her face. "You're back." Tabitha ran to her sister and enveloped her in a tight hug.

"That's Tabitha's twin sister," Molly said to Mari in a soft voice. "She went away for a little while to get some therapy. It was meant to help her deal with her past trauma."

Ophelia's arrival brought squeals of excitement from everyone, all eyes turning to Tabitha's twin. Mari's heart clenched at how much everyone obviously cared about her. The sweet, tentative smile on her face made Mari smile.

Sera was the next to break the silence, rising to pull Ophelia into a warm hug. "Welcome back, honey. We've missed you around here."

Ophelia's smile grew more confident, her shoulders loosening. "I've missed you all too. More than I can say."

The others crowded around, offering embraces and murmured words of love and encouragement. Mari watched, throat tight with emotion, as Ophelia basked in the outpouring of support.

These women with their fierce loyalty and open hearts had become more than just friends. They were a sisterhood, bound by shared joys and sorrows, triumphs and hardships.

As the night wore on, laughter and chatter filled the air, flowing as freely as the drinks. Mari found herself the center of attention as the conversation turned to her blossoming romance with Arden.

"I never thought I'd find any type of connection with a man," she admitted, toying with the rim of her margarita glass. "Especially not with someone so much younger. Sometimes I worry..."

"Hush that nonsense right now," Elsie chided, waving a churro for emphasis. "That boy looks at you like you hung the moon and stars. Age is just a number, chickadee."

Sera nodded sagely, sipping her virgin sangria. "Elsie's right, Mari. I had the same worries about Lark at first but in the end? Love is love. Grab it with both hands and never let go."

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the group, Molly suddenly appearing with a tray of her famous cupcakes. Mari eyed them warily, knowing her sister's baked goods often carried glimpses of the future.

"Oh, go on," Molly urged, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Live a little."

Throwing caution to the wind, Mari snagged a cupcake and took a hearty bite. Instantly, the room fell away, replaced by a vision that stole her breath.

She saw herself in a wedding gown, radiant with joy as Arden twirled her around a candlelit dance floor. The love in his eyes, the surety of his hold...it was everything she'd ever dreamed of and more.

Blinking back to the present, Mari found herself surrounded by expectant faces. "I saw...what I have always wished for. Is it my future?"

Molly shrugged. "It's a possibility. Only your decisions can make it a reality."

"I really want that."

Squeals of delight erupted, Mari engulfed in a flurry of hugs and excitement. She laughed, heart so full, it felt fit to burst.

Across the room, Ophelia let out a soft gasp, drawing all eyes to her flushed face. "I saw him," she whispered, wonder and trepidation warring in her gaze. "The man I'm meant to love. But I've never seen him before..."

Elsie rubbed her hands together gleefully, a determined glint in her eye. "Just you leave that to me, sugar. I'll sniff out your mystery man quicker than a hound on the hunt."

As the night wore on, the women gravitated to the community center's cozy lounge area where Tabitha had set up a spirited game of Loteria. The colorful cards and intricately painted boards drew appreciative murmurs from the group as they settled in, drinks in hand.

"I haven't played this since I was in college," Marianne remarked, running a finger over the vibrant images. "My roommate used to call the cards for us during our gatherings."

Elsie chuckled, taking a sip of her margarita. "Well, I hope you're ready for some stiff competition, dear. These old eyes might not be what they used to, but my ears are as sharp as ever."

Laughter rippled through the room as Tabitha took her place as the caller. "All right, ladies, let's see who Lady Luck favors tonight!"

As the game began, the women fell into an easy rhythm of banter and playful trash talk. Ivy was the first to call out a win, her triumphant shout of "Loteria!" met with good-natured groans and accusations of cheating.

"I swear, she must have charmed those cards," Daisy grumbled, tossing back the last of her paloma. "No one's that lucky." Then she scrunched her nose, "Not true. I've got Roarke and that makes me extra lucky." She gave a silly grin.

"You sound like the cat that ate the canary," Elsie joked.

"If I have it my way," Daisy winked, "he's going to be the one doing that."

"Daisy!" Elsie laughed.

"What? It's girls' night. Anything goes. Besides, there's more women in here with hot men than you can count."

"Right you are." Elsie chuckled. "I'm doing a damn good job at this matchmaking thing."

Daisy nodded. "Keep it going, Elsie. Find a man for Ivy so she can stop winning all our games."

Ivy preened, collecting her winnings with a smug grin. "Don't hate the player, hate the game, darling."

The laughter that followed was infectious, Mari feeling the last of her tension melt away in the face of such unbridled joy and camaraderie.

The game continued and the drinks flowed, conversation turned to their significant others holed up at the brewery for a "guys' night" of their own.

"I bet they think they're really something, sipping their beers and talking sports," Sera snorted, rolling her eyes. "As if that could ever compare to this."

Ellie giggled, a little tipsy from Ivy's potent sangria. "Oh, I can just picture it. Reed trying to out-alpha Kade with Arden and Lark egging them on..."

"While Roarke just sits back and watches the chaos unfold, cool as a cucumber," Daisy finished, grinning. "Goddess, what I wouldn't give to be a fly on that wall."

"They probably think they're being so suave and manly," Ophelia chimed in. "Bonding over hops and testosterone."

Luna nearly choked on her virgin margarita, tears streaming down her face. "Oh, if they only knew! I'd pay good money to see their faces if they could see us now."

"Right?" Molly gasped out between peals of laughter. "Sipping daintily on their watered-down lager while we're over here living our best lives with top-shelf tequila and enough food to feed a small army."

Mari clutched her aching sides, cheeks sore from grinning. She couldn't remember the last time she'd laughed this much, the last time she'd felt so utterly at ease in her own skin.

These women with their wicked wit and unshakable bond had become more than just friends. They were her tribe, her chosen family. The sisters of her soul.

As the laughter died down and the conversation lulled into a comfortable silence, Mari found herself reflecting on the visions Molly's cupcakes had brought to life.

Her future with Arden, shining and bright with promise. Ophelia's mystery man, waiting just around the corner. Love and happiness permeated every aspect of life here in Whispering Pines.

It was almost too good to be true, a part of her whispered. Too perfect to last.

But looking around at the faces of her sister witches, so open and warm with affection, Mari felt that flicker of doubt fade away.

This was real. This was hers. And she would fight tooth and nail to keep it, to nurture and protect this beautiful life she was building, one precious moment at a time.

"Penny for your thoughts," Sera murmured, nudging Mari's shoulder with a gentle smile.

Mari shook her head, returning the smile with a watery one of her own. "Just...thank you. For tonight, for everything. I don't...I don't know what I did to deserve all of you, but I'm so incredibly grateful."

"Oh, honey." Sera pulled her into a fierce hug, the others quickly joining in until Mari was cocooned in a tangle of arms and love. "You deserve the world, Mari. And we're going to make damn sure you get it."

"You're all so kind."

"Mari, don't stop yourself from being happy," Sera advised. "Arden loves you. If you love him, and I think you do, take a chance and see where things go. Don't let Victor or your age difference stop you. If you do, you'll let Victor win."

She hadn't thought of it that way.

At the end of the night, Mari's heart thudded hard when she saw Arden waiting for her by the door.

"Ready to go?"

The instant flare of desire wouldn't be shut down. "Yes."