Free A Taste of Magic by Tracy Madison Page A

bite me. Carefully, I sliced a chunk off. I blew on it to cool it down. It looked like any other brownie I’d ever made.
    “Here goes nothing,” I said, and popped it into my mouth.
    The dark fudgy confection melted on my tongue and slid down my throat. I waited for a magical zing, something to tell me the die had been cast and sexy men would be flocking to my door.
    “Hmm,” I muttered. I took another bite.
    Still nothing. Weird. You’d think enchanted brownies would somehow taste different, but they didn’t. I ate a couple more before wrapping them up to take home with me. Maybe by the time I saw Nate again they’d have taken effect. One could always hope, anyway.
    A sizzle of desire had me stopping to catch my breath. I shivered. I couldn’t wait to see if my magic worked, if everything I wanted was only a wish away. No time like the present, right? Besides, I needed to get going if I wanted to see Maddie. And then maybe I’d give myself a little “alone” time— with Nate in mind, of course.
    As I headed out the door, excitement and happiness put a smile on my face. Things were about to get better. I just knew it.
    I was still smiling an hour later. I’d dropped the brownies off at my place before taking the steps to Maddie’s apartment. She had a little more real estate than I, with around 1,000 square feet to call her own. And she’d taken the time to paint and decorate. While the pastel colors and ultra-feminine furnishings weren’t my style, they suited her perfectly.
    “I can’t believe you brought me chocolate. I’m so glad you’re my best friend,” Maddie said, choosing one of the cookies I’d baked for her. Her blonde hair swung loose around her head, glimmers of light bouncing off it as she moved.
    “Just a thank-you for helping me through the past year.” This wasn’t really a lie. I was thankful for her support, even if that wasn’t the reason I’d baked the cookies. And really, if I told her the truth, she’d think I was crazy.
    She took a large bite. I watched her carefully, waiting for a sign that the magic was doing what I’d bade it. Nothing happened. Just like with me. Maybe it was too soon.
    “Here, you want one?” Maddie nodded toward the plate.
    “I’ve had several brownies already. Besides, those are yours.” She brushed imaginary crumbs from her flowing black slacks before standing. After she straightened her sparkly blouse, she grabbed the plate of cookies. “I’m going to put these away and get some milk. You want anything?”
    “No, I’m fine. Thanks, though.”
    She took the cookies into the kitchen.
    “Maddie,” I called. “Are you going out tonight?” I mean, come on, she was wearing clothes I’d wear to a social event.
    “No way, I’m staying in and relaxing.”
    “Is someone coming over?”
    “No one but you. Why?”
    “Just wondered,” I replied. Even at home, at night, her makeup was expertly applied. Glamour could be her middle name. If someone dropped in on me at nine o’clock on a weeknight—okay, a weekend, too; who was I kidding?—they’d be lucky to see me in real clothes. I basically had my pajamas on within an hour of coming home. This, actually, was one of the perks of not being married. I could dress how I wanted, when I wanted.
    Maddie returned with a glass of milk and another cookie. I should have quizzed Grandma Verda more on this, because I didn’t know how many Maddie would have to eat for the magic to work. You’d think just one bite, wouldn’t you? But this was the test phase, and I didn’t really know anything yet.
    “Knock, knock! Anyone in there?” Maddie squeezed my arm. “You seem really out of it. Are you still thinking about Tiffany being pregnant?”
    “Nah, that’s old news now,” I said, ignoring the spasm of pain that hit. “I’m just tired. Long day today.” Until the words were said, I hadn’t realized they were true. But, all at once, I was exhausted. My late night with Grandma Verda combined