Page 108 of Not Your Ex's Hexes
And he wasn’t so sure he wanted to.
23
Celestial Sexcapades
Rose couldn’t contain her laughter as she watched the showdown happening in front of her. More amusing than a night at the movies. More thrilling than a Broadway play. The standoff between Violet and Christina was pure, unfiltered entertainment, and no one could’ve expected it when Christina crashed their Girl Glam session—along with Edie—prior to the Kids’ Community Center gala.
GG sessions were how the triplets—and Harper—mentally and physically prepared themselves for big events. Always with jokes, and usually with a glass or two of wine. But with everyone busy doing their own things the last few months, it had been a hard tradition to keep up. They’d made the extra effort to ensure it happened tonight, and this time, their mother came along for the ride.
And it didn’t suck.
Rose had laughed more in the last thirty minutes than she had all week.
Locked in a stare-down to put any two teenagers to shame, neither Vi nor Christina showed signs of backing down. Their mother was a formidable witch, but her determination had nothing on Vi’s when her mind was set. And no way was Vi sliding into the four-inch heels Christina thought shehadto wear.
“My money’s on Mom.” Olive placed the first bet. “I feel like she’soverdue a win. Even with the success of Supernatural Spirits Winery, she’s had a backlog of losses.”
Edie snorted with a shake of her head. “Maybe, but your sister has that glint in the eye. She won’t back down easily.”
“Why? Because she’s the Prima Apparent?” Harper asked, not taking her eyes off the two witches.
“Because she’s my granddaughter.” Edie grinned, glancing to Rose. “What’s your verdict, dear? Sister or mother?”
Rose exchanged glances with Harper before they both simultaneously chanted, “Sister.”
“Fine! Have it your way.” Christina backed down and shot a playful look toward Rose and the others. “And you’re not in a magical bubble. We can hear you.”
“We know.” Rose grinned.
Christina rolled her eyes playfully. “I blame this all on you, Mother.”
“Me?” Edie failed to suppress a chuckle. “They’reyourdaughters.”
“But you raised them more than I did.” Christina blinked and looked away, but not before hiding the sheen of tears.
This woman in front of them looked like their mom, decked out in her gala finest with her curled hair sitting high on top of her head. But she didn’t sound accusatory, and there wasn’t an ounce of her usual Southern passive-aggressive haughtiness. Christina looked a bit guilty, and a smidge sad.
Rose exchanged silent looks with her sisters.
“Mom, are you okay?” Rose reached out to squeeze her mother’s arm. “You haven’t seemed yourself lately.”
“I’m fine. I just…” She sniffed. “Had a little health scare and—”
“You’re sick?” Olive asked.
Vi gasped. “What’s wrong?”
Christina held up her hand, silencing everyone’s concerned questions. “It was ascare. I’m fine. But it was potent enough to wake me up a bit, and I realized I haven’t been there for you girls the way I should’ve been.”
Her gaze flickered to Edie. “It wasn’t easy growing up under the shadow of the Prima. The expectations people made of me because of it… it was stressful to say the least.”
Edie frowned. “Oh, sweetheart…”
“No, no. I’m not trying to gain sympathy. I know it doesn’t excuse my actions through the years, but…” Christina took her time looking at each of her daughters. “I knew the pressure each of you would be under as you carry around the Maxwell name, and in my quest to prepare you for it, I unwittingly placed more of it on your shoulders… and I’m sorry.”
Christina turned to Vi. “If you don’t want to wear the heels, then don’t. You’ll be the only one of us that isn’t applying ointment to raging blisters by the end of the night.”
She turned to Olive. “And I know I haven’t always been supportive in your career shift, but you should know I’m immensely proud of you. You are good at everything you do, and your students are lucky to learn from the best.”
