Every few minutes Mr. Sexy Adonis would cast her a suggestive look. One that said he was less interested in the Halloween costumes, magical charms, and novelties in the showroom and more interested in the merchandise behind the glass counter. Despite the sexual sparks between them, Brianna smoothed the hem on her navy knit sweater and averted her gaze, taking care not to send out the wrong signals.

Kayla’s sharp intake of air gained her attention. Brianna twisted sideways to watch her friend’s hazel eyes light with excitement. “Why don’t you invite him to Abby’s Halloween bash tonight?”

Brianna grabbed the book of spells from under the desk, dropped it onto the counter with a clunk, and absentmindedly fingered the aged, yellow pages. She rolled one shoulder casually. “Because I’m not going, I have work to do. Inventory is next week, and I want to get a head start.”

“Come on Brianna, it’s Halloween, and…” she said, stretching that one word out, “it’s your birthday. Double the reason to celebrate.” Kayla got quiet for a moment, crinkled her cute little nose, and added, “Is it because you don’t have a date?” She didn’t wait for an answer. Instead she waved her hand toward the showroom, and said, “If it is, then ask him-” She stopped midsentence when she spotted Mr. Sexy Adonis exiting the store.

Brianna gave a resigned sigh. Even though Kayla was her closest friend, Kayla had no idea what or who Brianna really was. Which was the main reason why Brianna had given up dating in the first place. After the last fiasco, when her date had nearly discovered she had special powers, Brianna wasn’t about to risk having her true identity revealed. Fortunately for her, the night she had misused her magic, her date had been drinking heavily, thus enabling her to pass her slip-up on his inebriation.