Page 95 of Hexed Up

“I’m not sure I’m that sorry,” I point out.

“Oh, I think you should be. I’m really devastated about the whole evening, especially the cake. I don’t know how I’ll ever get over it.”

“Good night, birthday boy,” I tell him.

And then, because everyone’s watching and I’m required to maintain the whole dating-charade, and for no other reason at all, obviously, I reach up on the tips of my toes and kiss his mouth. His sensual, soft, warm mouth.

He kisses me back, and for a moment I forget about everyone else around me. I’m so lost in this dizzying kiss.

But then Tiggie calls out, “Get a room, you two!”

I jolt backwards, give him a little wave, and shove my two sisters and my demon best friend further into the hallway.

Once the door shuts behind us, I round on the three of them.

“Oh, Satan’s Cock, could the three of you be any more embarrassing?”

“Us?” Prim says, finger pointing to her chest, innocence written all over her face.

“Yes, you, and you, and you,” I say, addressing each of them in turn. “This is why I don’t introduce you to boyfriends.”

“Bullshit,” Damien says. “You don’t introduce them to boyfriends because usually your boyfriends are totally unsuitable.”

“Exactly,” Tiggie says. “Horatio is the first non-arsehole boyfriend you’ve ever had.”

“And you’ve just embarrassed the heck out of me in front of him.”

“Hey,” Tiggie says. “It was you who dived headfirst into his cake.”

“Firstly,” I point out, “I didn’t dive headfirst, and secondly, that was totallyyourfault.”

“My fault? I was just sticking up for you in front of that bitch who was trying to steal your boyfriend.”

“She wasn’t trying to steal my boyfriend.”

Although, deep down, I know that she probably was. I also know Horatio’s not interested, particularly in his current bewitched state.

“I was only trying to help,” Tiggie says, crossing her arms and giving me a death stare, and then promptly disappearing from sight.

“Tiggie!” I call after her, but it’s too late.

Prim, who’s swaying a little on her feet, pouts at me.

“I didn’t mean to embarrass you. It’s just been a while since I could let my hair down.”

I sigh. “I know, and I’m sorry. And I’m really glad you did let your hair down.”

Prim smiles. “He was amazing,” she swoons. “I don’t think I’ve ever been kissed like that before.”

She does a little spin on the spot and then disappears herself.

I shake my head and look at my best friend.

“What did I do?” he says.

“Nothing, I guess. You want to come in for a final nightcap?” I motion towards the door of my flat.

He shakes his head. “No way,chica! The night’s still young!”