They had swapped positions at some point in the night, and he was curled around her naturally, his face buried in the bird’s nest her hair had become. Her phone was on the bedside table with 30 percent left on the battery. She had eight missed calls from Junie and a dozen smart-ass comments in the coven group chat, and she’d managed to stir before her alarm. Ever so carefully, she rolled out from under his arm and got dressed. She put her panties in her purse and wrangled her hair into a braid, fastened with the emergency hair band she kept in her bag. Her Fresh Face spell was starting to fade, cracking at the edges, so she carefully locked the door and whispered the words while the energy gathered before flowing outward over her skin in a shimmering ripple.

There, I’m gorgeous again.

Leanne rinsed her mouth with water then used the mouthwash the hotel provided. Can’t wait to brush my teeth.

In hindsight, she couldn’t believe they’d gotten a room to cuddle and talk. I’m never telling anyone. I’d never live it down. Quietly, she moved back to the bed, her heels in hand.

As she gazed down at Trev’s sleeping face, she considered leaving him to make his own way home. But coming here had been her idea, and it would be shitty to abandon him when she knew he was financially challenged—by his own admission. So he’d either have to pay for a ride he might not be able to afford or call someone, which entailed admitting she’d left him stranded. I don’t want to screw him over.

So she perched beside him on the bed and woke him by touching his cheek. “Morning. Did you sleep well?”

Before he even opened his eyes, he gave her a sleepy smile, so much effortless sweetness that it wreaked havoc on her insides. I’m hungry, that’s all.

“Surprisingly, yeah. Better than I have in years. You’re great in bed.” Suddenly, he snapped alert. “I mean, you’re great to share a bed with.”

“I’ll take either,” she said lightly, trying not to reveal how awkward this felt. Leanne rarely spent the night with people, and she couldn’t recall the last time she’d had a conversation the morning after. “Get dressed. I’ll drive you home.”

It took all of five minutes for Trev to put himself together. Soon, they headed out—with a brief pit stop for Leanne to check out of the room—and then he gave her his address. Mentally, she charted the route. Taking Trev home meant she’d have minimal time to get to her condo and tidy up before work. Hopefully Junie doesn’t delay me further. While she couldn’t put off finding out why her mom was here forever, she doubted the conversation would go anywhere good.