Am I really doing this? Then I remember Sage’s handwriting at the bottom of the letter. Find Abigail. I will do anything to make that happen. “I have some aunts here. Or maybe they’re my great-aunts. Actually, I think they’re my mom’s great-aunts, which would make them my great-great…” I’m so flustered that words are tumbling over each other. Okay, if I can’t even explain how the aunts and I are related, how am I going to explain that I’m trying to solve the mystery of a family curse?

I take the plunge. “They want to meet you.”

“They do?” His eyebrows knit. “But I thought your aunt was, ah…”

Dead. I nearly choke. “Not that aunt. Obviously.” I step back slightly, because he smells warm and amazing, and it’s distracting, but of course I trip over a curb and he grabs me to steady my arm and then we’re right back to where we started. So close to each other. So, so close.

“How do they even know about me?” His eyes are fixed on mine, a tiny smile on his lips.

A ferocious blush passes over my face. “Well… because of me. They’re helping me figure out a little more about my family and the painting and all that.”

“Really?” His eyes are alert, and he reaches up, running his hand through his tangled hair. “They asked me over because they want me to talk about the painting?”

“Yes. Sort of. But I do need to warn you.” I take a deep breath. “They’re sweet, but they’re different. Like really, really different. They’re, ah, witches. Like modern-day witches.”

He studies me for a long moment, and I’m worried he’s going to laugh—or worse, bolt—but then his face relaxes into a smile. “As long as you’re there, I’m in.”

My blush is approaching wildfire status. He probably doesn’t mean it like that, except, when I look up and see the way he’s looking at me, I have a strong feeling I might be wrong.

This is really, really not the plan.

“Thanks,” I say quickly. “I’ll let them know we’re on our way.”

“Great.”

I wait for him to go ask Emma for permission to come with me, but he doesn’t move. “Do you need to check in with Emma?”

“Oh.” He glances at me in surprise. The thought clearly hadn’t occurred to him. “I guess so. Be right back.”

While Mason makes his way over to Emma, I take a few deep breaths, trying to bring down the flush in my face. But it only takes a couple of minutes before Emma starts toward me, Mason trailing behind her. “What did you think?” she asks.