Page 109 of Enchanted to Meet You

I looked. I saw dozens of people—including people I knew, like Dina and Mark, and Yasmin and Sal, and even Becca and Zahrah and Naomi and their partners—had finally made it to the village square. All of them were dancing. Dina noticed that I’d caught sight of her, and smiled and lifted a hand to wave. I smiled and waved back, my heart filled with a sudden gladness. So many people I loved were here, right here, under these sodden tents. This had truly turned into a celebration—thanks to Goody Fletcher, Esther, and the other witches.

Rosalie, however, barely glanced up, she was so devastated at discovering her daughter wasn’t only not the Bringer of Light, but not the only witch descendant of her great-great-grandmother. “Yeah. That’s great.”

I had something else that was going to make Rosalie mad—if she ever found out about it, that is. I would have to do everything I could not to let that happen, of course.

“Hey, Esther,” I said to her as she and Gabby got up to dance.

“Yeah?”

“I think I have something of yours,” I said. “Something that belonged to Elizabeth Fletcher. Or Goody Fletcher, as she was called back then.”

Esther’s gaze sharpened with interest. “Oh, yeah? What?”

“You’ll see,” I said. “I’ll bring it by for you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, but what is it?”

“A book.”

Esther rolled her eyes. “Abook? After everything I just did, you think I still have things to learn?”

“Oh, you do,” Derrick said, severely. “And you’d better listen to her.”

Her gaze sharpened even more as she looked at him. “What about you? Are you sticking around?”

I couldn’t help stealing a questioning look at him as well, my heart, which had felt so full before, suddenly seeming to stand still.

“Oh,” he said. “West Harbor won’t be getting rid of me as easily as it got rid of my brother.”

And with that, he tightened his grip on my hand and dragged me toward my friends.

Relief flooded through me. Relief that he was staying. Relief that I wouldn’t have to beg him not to go. Relief that I wouldn’t have to put up a brave front when he did go, and pretend I didn’t care, and that I’d be fine without him.

Iwouldbe fine without him.

But my days wouldn’t be as sweet. Like dinner without dessert. Like candy without chocolate. Like life without magic.

Only when I saw that we were headed toward the dance floor did I dig in my heels.

“No,” I cried, putting on the brakes. “I donotdance.”

“You do now,” he said, and pulled me playfully forward.

And then—I don’t know how—something in me loosened, and I was in his arms, dancing, my long dark hair swaying around my shoulders, which were suddenly bare, because I was in a slim-strapped, satin-topped, tulle-skirted evening gown of midnight black in a style I don’t even sell in my shop. Someone had magically transposed it upon me. It couldn’t have been Lizzie casting a glamour, though I saw her bright face laughing joyously as Derrick spun me around the room.

Could it have been Gaia?

I didn’t care. I didn’t care because I was the Chosen One.

Chosen by him.

Jessica

For lasting love, laugh much, quarrel little, and keep thy heart and mind open.

Goody Fletcher,Book of Useful Household Tips

I threw open the front door. My little brother stood on the front porch, looking rumpled and tired and surrounded by duffel bags. Only he wasn’t so little anymore.