Leanne sat back, satisfied with their response. “I think so too. For now, you’re the only ones I’m telling. Priya and Kerry are too committed to each other to understand how I could do this. They got their happy ending, and that’s cool.”

“Not everyone is so lucky,” Margie said softly.

Vanessa added, “Danica seems pretty set on the CinnaMan too. And I hate to say it, but I’m pretty sure Clem isn’t just ‘distracting’ that witch hunter.”

Wincing, Margie nodded emphatically. “You see it too? I don’t know if Clem’s admitted how she feels even to herself, but that’s next-level complicated.”

“I wish she talked to us more,” Leanne said. “But you know how she is. If we offer help, she’ll say she’s fine and get mad at us for meddling.”

Nodding, Vanessa served herself some stuffed grape leaves. “I think she confides in Ethel. Clem has a hard time leaning on people because of her mom and dad.” She leveled a pointed look at Leanne. “You should understand that.”

“Fair,” she admitted.

With anyone else, she might take offense, but Vanessa was right. She had a few things in common with Clem as a result of parental failures, but while Clem tried to do—and control—everything, Leanne did what she wanted. Except at work, where sometimes they backed her into corners and got her to volunteer for shit outside her lane. She couldn’t change policy or push for any improvements. Taking orders from people she knew were incompetent sucked, and Dan Rutherford treated her like she was nothing more than T & A, an attitude she often found reflected in the mayor and deputy mayor as well.

“I think we’re getting off track,” Margie pointed out.

While Leanne enjoyed gossip in general, she did regret talking about other members of the coven behind their backs, so she accepted the reproof. Vanessa mimed zipping her lips as Margie went to the restroom, and Leanne laughed.

The other witch leaned forward. “Tell me straight up—there’s something special about this dude, or you wouldn’t be ready to move him into your condo.” Vanessa held up a hand. “Don’t even play. You can front for Margie about your mom and the city council election, but I refuse to believe you’d consider this if there was nothing else in it for you.”

Biting her lip, she considered for all of two seconds before admitting, “I do like him. And the sex was good.”

“Good? Really? We heard you in the bathroom. I’m just putting that out there.”

“Surprisingly awesome,” she muttered.

Vanessa smirked. “There it is. For what it’s worth, you have my stamp of approval. If you can get some and get the job done, why wouldn’t you? We’ve got your back when the time comes. What are we looking at, logistically speaking?”