Chapter 7

SEVEN

M ari stood before her closet, a vibrant array of dresses spread out before her. Anticipation and nervousness danced within her as she pondered what to wear for her dinner with Arden. Despite wanting to take things slow, when he asked her out, her heart wouldn't tell him no.

She reached for a deep blue silk dress, the fabric soft beneath her fingertips, wondering if it was the perfect choice.

The doorbell's chime cut through Mari's thoughts like a knife through butter. She jumped, nearly dropping the dress she'd been contemplating. "Coming!" she called, hurrying to the door, her bare feet padding against the hardwood floor.

She flung the door open, a grin stretching across her face as she took in the sight before her. Molly, her vivacious sister, stood front and center, her arms laden with bags and a mischievous twinkle in her eye. Tabitha and Celeste flanked her, their own arms overflowing with mysterious packages and their faces alight with excitement.

"Surprise!" Molly exclaimed, her fiery red curls bouncing as she practically leaped inside. "We figured you might need some moral support—and fashion advice—for your big date tonight."

Mari laughed, the warmth of their friendship enveloping her like a cozy blanket. "You all are the best," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "I don't know what I did to deserve friends like you."

"Oh, hush," Tabitha said, waving a dismissive hand. "You're stuck with us now, whether you like it or not."

"It's in the BFF contract," Celeste added, her auburn hair catching the light as she nodded solemnly. "Didn't you read the fine print?"

Mari snorted, stepping aside to let them in. "Must have missed that clause."

The women descended upon Mari's bedroom like a glittery hurricane, transforming the once-tidy space into a whirlwind of activity. Dresses flew from the closet, sailing through the air like colorful kites before landing in a rainbow heap on the bed.

Tabitha plucked an emerald-green number from the pile, holding it up with a critical eye. "Now, this," she said, her eyebrows raised appreciatively, "this screams confident, sexy witch."

"Ooh, yes!" Molly agreed, clapping her hands. "He'll be picking his jaw up off the floor."

Celeste tilted her head, studying the dress. "It's definitely a contender," she said, her lips pursed thoughtfully. "But let's see what else we've got. We want Mari to have options."

And options she had. Mari slipped into dress after dress, each more stunning than the last. She twirled and posed, her friends cheering and wolf-whistling as she strutted imaginary runways.

"Work it, girl," Tabitha called, snapping her fingers.

"Slay, queen," Molly added, throwing her hands up in the air.

Mari couldn't help but laugh, their enthusiasm infectious. She felt a deep sense of belonging, a sisterhood forged through magical mishaps, shared secrets, and endless laughter. These women had become more than just friends; they were her family, her anchor in the sometimes-turbulent waters of Whispering Pines.

"Okay, okay," Mari said, breathless from laughter and exertion. "I think we might have a winner." She smoothed her hands down the front of a stunning red dress, the fabric hugging her curves like a second skin.

Molly let out a low whistle. "Arden's not going to know what hit him," she said, her eyes wide.

"He might spontaneously combust," Tabitha agreed, fanning herself dramatically.

"I hope not," Celeste said, the corner of her mouth twitching. "Mari's had enough excitement in her life lately. She doesn't need her date bursting into flames over dinner."

As she tried on a sleek black dress, the atmosphere turned more serious. Molly's hand rested on Mari's shoulder, her eyes filled with understanding. "Mari, I know you've been through a lot with Victor. But you're not alone anymore. We're here for you. We're your girl gang."

Mari swallowed, emotion welling up in her throat. She'd kept the pain of her past locked away for so long, but the caring faces surrounding her gave her the strength to open up. "Victor made my life a living hell. He was always in my head. Controlling, manipulative, constantly putting me down. But I refuse to let him have power over me anymore. I'm done being a victim."

Tabitha squeezed her hand, her eyes fierce. "You've got this, Mari. You're a strong, badass witch who won't let anyone hold her back."

Celeste nodded, her smile gentle. "And you have us. We'll always be here to support you, no matter what."

Tears of gratitude glistened in Mari's eyes. She hugged each of her friends, feeling their love and encouragement flowing into her. "Thank you," she whispered. "I couldn't do this without you."

Celeste added the finishing touches, a swipe of bold lipstick and a few strategically placed curls. When Mari looked in the mirror, she saw a confident, radiant woman staring back at her.

"Arden's jaw is going to hit the floor," Tabitha grinned, giving Mari a playful nudge.

The women gathered their things, exchanging hugs and well-wishes as they prepared to leave. Mari walked them to the door, her heart full and spirits high. But as she turned back to the living room, the doorbell chimed once more.

Expecting to see Arden, Mari opened the door to find a plain brown package on her doorstep. Her stomach churned as she brought it inside, a sense of unease washing over her.

With determined fingers, she tore open the package. A single sheet of paper fluttered out landing face-up on the coffee table. "I'm watching you," it read, the words typed in stark black ink.

Anger surged through Mari, overpowering her fear. Victor was still trying to control her, but she refused to let him win. She crumpled the paper in her fist, her resolve growing stronger with each passing second.

A knock at the door made her turn, relief flooding through her when she saw Arden's concerned face. "Mari? Is everything okay?"

She held up the crumpled note, her eyes blazing. "It's Victor. He's trying to intimidate me, but I won't let him. We're going to the sheriff's station. I'm done being his victim."

Arden's jaw tightened. "I'm with you every step of the way. Let's end this tonight."

At the station, Sheriff Reed Mallory listened carefully as they explained the situation. "I understand your frustration, Ms. Sinclair," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "Without concrete proof that Victor sent this package, there's not much we can do at the moment. But I promise I'll keep a close eye on the situation. Stay vigilant and report any further incidents."

Mari's shoulders squared, her determination unshaken. "I'm going to install security cameras at the house and bakery. I won't live in fear anymore."

Arden's hand found hers, his touch reassuring. "I'll help you with the cameras. And remember, I'm here for you."

Despite the earlier tension, Mari felt a warmth blossoming in her chest as they arrived at the restaurant for their date. The cozy atmosphere enveloped them, the soft glow of twinkling lights and the gentle murmur of conversation chasing away the shadows of the day. Arden guided her to their table, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back sent shivers down her spine.

As they settled into their seats, a waiter appeared with menus and a bottle of wine. Arden selected a vintage red, his eyes never leaving Mari's. "I hope you like red wine," he said, his voice low and smooth. "I thought it might pair well with the evening ahead."

Mari smiled, feeling herself beginning to relax. "Red wine sounds perfect," she said, accepting the glass he offered. "And the evening ahead? What exactly did you have in mind?"

Arden leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, you know," he said, his lips curving into a playful grin. "Good food, great company, and maybe a little magic if we're lucky."

Mari laughed, the sound bubbling up from deep within her. "I think I've had enough magic for one day," she said, taking a sip of her wine. "But good food and great company? I'm definitely on board with that."

Arden's easy smile and playful banter soon had her forgetting all about the worries of the past few hours. They traded stories and jokes, their laughter mingling with the clinking of glasses and the soft strains of music floating through the air. The chemistry between them crackled like electricity, a tangible force that drew them closer with each passing moment.

"So, tell me," Arden said, his eyes fixed on hers, "what's the craziest thing you've ever done with your magic?"

Mari considered the question, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Well," she said, leaning in, "there was this one time in college when I accidentally turned my roommate's hair purple. She was going on a big date that night, and let's just say her new look wasn't exactly what she had in mind."

Arden threw his head back and laughed, the sound rich and warm. "I bet she loved that," he said, his eyes twinkling.

"Oh, she was thrilled," Mari said, rolling her eyes. "But I managed to fix it before she left for the night. Crisis averted."

"My heroine," Arden said, placing a hand over his heart. "Saving the day, one hairstyle at a time."

As the evening wore on, Mari found herself getting lost in Arden's green eyes, the rest of the world falling away until it was just the two of them wrapped in a cocoon of laughter and flirtation. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt this happy, this free. Arden made her feel seen, valued, and protected in a way she'd never experienced.

When their dessert arrived, a decadent chocolate cake that seemed to be calling their names, Mari's eyes widened. "That looks incredible," she breathed, picking up her fork. "And I should know."

Arden grinned, scooping up a bite and holding it out to her. "Here," he said, his voice low and intimate. "Try it."

Mari leaned forward, her lips closing around the fork. The rich, velvety chocolate melted on her tongue, a soft moan escaping her throat. Arden's eyes darkened, his gaze fixed on her mouth.

"Good?" he asked, his voice rough.

"Heavenly," Mari replied, licking her lips. "Your turn."

She scooped up a bite of the cake, holding it out to him. Arden leaned in, his eyes never leaving hers as he took the fork into his mouth. Mari's breath caught in her throat, her heart racing as she watched him savor the bite.

They continued like that, feeding each other bites of the cake, their gazes locked, the air between them heavy with anticipation. When the last bite was gone, Arden reached out, his thumb brushing a smudge of chocolate from the corner of Mari's mouth.

"Missed a spot," he murmured, his touch lingering on her skin.

Mari's breath hitched, her pulse hammering in her ears. "Thanks," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her heart.

As they left the restaurant, Arden's hand found hers, their fingers intertwining as if they'd been made for each other. They walked in comfortable silence, the moonlight casting a soft glow over the quiet streets of Whispering Pines.

When they reached Mari's door, Arden turned to face her, his hand still clasped in hers. "I had a great time tonight," he said, his voice soft and sincere.

Mari looked up at him, her heart racing with a heady mix of anticipation and affection. "Me too," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you, Arden. For everything."

Arden smiled, his free hand reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.

He leaned in, his lips brushing against her cheek in a soft, tender kiss. Mari's eyes fluttered closed, her skin tingling where his lips had touched. When she opened them again, Arden was gazing at her with a look of such affection that it took her breath away.

"Goodnight, Mari," he said, squeezing her hand before letting go.

"Goodnight, Arden," she replied, a soft smile playing on her lips.

As she stepped inside and closed the door behind her, Mari leaned against it, her heart full to bursting.