Tangled Up (Bachelors of Buttermilk Falls #2)

“
T
his is never happening again
.” Abby Stevens sat up and searched for her favorite orange cashmere sweater under the tangled sheets. Ruffling the navy blue duvet, she finally spotted it across the messy bedroom.
Of course.
It had been peeled off and tossed onto the floor hours ago, now peeking out under a red and white flannel shirt. Her brown, laced up high boots chucked to the side.

“Five words I know all too well.”

She twisted her torso toward her in-bed companion who wore nothing but his typical morning-after, smart-aleck grin. “Well, I mean it this time, Brandon Swift. We are not—and let me be perfectly clear—
not
doing this anymore.”

“If you say so.” He folded his arms behind his head, obviously not convinced. “So, I guess a round before you leave is out of the question?”

She glared at the man she’d spent yet another steamy night with tangled in his sheets. How on earth did ending up together virtually every evening for the last six weeks become her new normal? Amazingly hot lover? She’d give him that, but Brandon was not boyfriend material. She knew it. He knew it. Everyone in Buttermilk Falls knew that the latest bachelor in residence was hell-bent on keeping that status.

She wanted more, but definitely not with him. She was ready to fall in love and be in a long-term relationship with a man who loved her back. As pleasurable as being in his bed might be, what she was doing with Brandon was derailing her from reaching that goal.

It all started the night of the Final Fling, the town’s big, annual event celebrating the end of summer. If she hadn’t agreed to dance with him, she wouldn’t have known how awesome it felt to have his tight biceps around her or his warm breath tickling her ear.

The first time they’d slept together, she blamed it on the one too many Coronas she had consumed at the Buttermilk Tavern. But what about the other twenty-some-odd times?

She leaned down, reaching for her jeans on the floor. She needed to get her head on straight, and that started by covering her naked body STAT. This sex-crazed, self-centered,
Los Angeles Times
reporter turned small-town bartender was not the guy for her. What he
was
was the only obstacle in her path to finding true happiness. Their tryst needed to stop now.

He placed a palm on her bare back, and that simple act sent a tingling sensation through her. “You don’t think I can put an end to this, do you?” she asked, trying to ignore his amazing massaging skills as his fingers drew imaginary circles.

“Well, according to your cousin, we are soul mates.” He laughed and rested his hand on her hip. “I don’t think either one of us have any say in the matter.”

She rolled her eyes, knowing exactly what he was implying. Her cousin, Emma, had a special—slightly unorthodox—gift for predicting true love with their late grandmother’s enchanted mixing spoon and fresh cake batter. Emma had been matchmaking Buttermilk Falls’s bachelors at the Sugar Spoon bakery for years.

That was until six weeks ago during Emma’s Batter Up night. On that horrible evening, Abby’s name appeared in a batch Emma had whipped up for Brandon. “Just because
your
batch spelled out
my
name means nothing.”

“It means we’re going to be together, Abby Stevens. Just accept it,” he said with a hint of sarcasm.

She arched an eyebrow, fully aware the batter’s outcome was still a joke to him. “Like you have, Mr. ‘I’m Only Looking for a Good Time?’”

Brandon shrugged his answer.

“Exactly.” She swung her legs off the bed. She didn’t care about her cousin’s gift or Brandon’s inability to commit. This man was not her soul mate.

“Red, you know I’m not long-term material.” He sat up and gently moved her wavy hair to the side, kissing her exposed neck, a move that he did often and always ended with her falling back into his arms. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun,” he whispered. “I thought that’s what you wanted, too.”

She cocked her head as his lips traveled to her earlobe. To say what they’d been doing the last few weeks was fun was probably an understatement, but did she even like this guy? Her rational thoughts tried desperately to break through the sensual haze forming in her head as he nibbled on her ear. “You are very bad for me. I’m going to prove to you, and everyone in Buttermilk Falls, that, for once, my cousin was wrong.”

“Right.” He reached over to his nightstand for a foil before flipping her onto her back and pulling the comforter halfway up. “Care to let me show you how bad I am one last time before this
never happens again
?”

Abby sighed, running her hands down his rock hard abs. “This is the last time,” she insisted before his lips crushed hers.

Even if her body always fell victim to his touch, her heart and head were on the same page. Brandon Swift was not the guy for her. It was then and there Abby realized she’d have to take matters into her own hands to end what they were doing once and for all, and that might have to involve a little bit of magic.

A
bby flew
into her usual spot at the Sugar Spoon bakery, slammed her blue Honda into park, and jumped out. Her shift didn’t start until noon, so she’d have three hours to accomplish what she needed to do to end things with Brandon for good this time.

Pulling open the glass door, she interrupted Emma canoodling with her boyfriend, Jason Levine, behind the counter. The former
Miami Herald
reporter was Brandon’s best friend, but Abby tried not to hold that against him. After all, Jason was a nice guy with a decent head on his shoulders. “Seriously. Is everyone in this town in love?”

Emma stepped out of Jason’s embrace and adjusted her straight blond ponytail. “Good morning. Why are you here so early?”

Abby shrugged not wanting to reveal that she was going to lock herself in the kitchen until she’d performed the mother of all spells. “I thought I’d do some baking.”

“Oh, really?” Emma grabbed a pink coffee mug and filled it to the rim, passing it to Abby. “What are you making?”

“Nothing special.” Reaching for the cream and sugar, Abby poured cream into her coffee and added a sugar packet. “Mel’s been demanding my blueberry pumpkin bread since Labor Day, so I’m going to whip up a loaf.” The beloved owner of the Star Lite diner was known for his famous recipes that included blueberries and he was infamous for his blueberry, bacon, and blue cheese burger, or as the town affectionately called it, the BBB Burger.

It was quite possible that Mel requested her delicious bread. Although with his stock of blueberries, he could probably make it himself.

“Oh, I have something of yours, Abby.” Jason slid off the counter stool and reached into his khakis, pulling out an orange and silver beaded bracelet. “Brandon asked me to return this to you.”

“That’s not mine,” Abby scoffed.

Emma raised an exaggerated eyebrow, snatching the jewelry out of her boyfriend’s hand. “Sure looks like the bracelet I gave you last month for your birthday.”

“No. Not mine.” Abby turned and rushed into the kitchen with her coffee, knowing full well she was busted. Of course her cousin knew who she’d been sharing a bed with this entire fall. Emma and she were not only related, but best friends who told each other everything.

Growing up with an older brother who’d loved to tease Abby mercilessly and pretty much threatened to beat up any guy who looked her way, it was nice to have a supportive confidante in Emma. They’d spent hours as teenagers talking about boys, hair, and makeup—usually in that order.

Emma knew everything about Abby’s fling with Brandon, and Abby was pretty sure her in-bed companion kept Jason up-to-date on what they were doing as well.

Out of her cousin’s sight, she let out a sigh. How did she get into this mess? Her summer had started out so promising. Always coming up short in the love department, she’d finally met a nice guy last July who was smart, compassionate, and extremely easy on the eyes. She’d paid big bucks for him at the town’s annual Summer Fling auction, and Carter Manning had been worth every penny.

Once a year, the town held a charity benefit where single guys auctioned themselves off for the summer. Available women from all around came to the event ready to bid on a summer fling. Flings were then paired up for casual summer dating, whether it be picnics in the town park, hiking the Buttermilk Falls trails, or romantic evenings boating on the lake.

She’d done all those things with the visiting veterinarian. They’d had such a good time on their dates with all signals indicating they were moving in the right direction. That was until his work in Buttermilk Falls was cut short unexpectedly, and he headed back to Indianapolis.

Since Carter had no plans to return anytime soon, Abby chalked up their time together as summer fun. He promised he’d stay in touch, but she wasn’t really disappointed when his calls and texts became few and far between. She wasn’t about to pine for a guy who no longer lived in the same state as her.

A few weeks after Carter left, she hooked up with Brandon, and the thought made her nose wrinkle. It wasn’t like her to jump into bed with a man whom she wasn’t even dating, let alone to keep doing it. That behavior needed to change.

She still didn’t have a reasonable answer to why she’d gotten involved with this guy. Yeah, Brandon was gorgeous with his short, dirty blond hair, blue eyes, and killer abs, but word spread through town like a summer wildfire that he was recently divorced and not looking for anything beyond a good time.

Well, he could look for it somewhere else. Abby pulled the dusty lavender book of spells from her black tote and began sifting through its pages. She’d stopped by her Aunt Sheila’s house this morning and asked if she could borrow it.

Emma’s mother had given her the book, no questions asked. Given Abby’s unsuccessful track record when it came to magic, she suspected her aunt didn’t really think she’d be able to cast a spell.

Though Abby had never been able to fully cast the Batter Up spell that Emma whipped up so effortlessly every Monday night, she was determined to succeed at conjuring up an entirely different one that would have the opposite effect on its intended.

Opening the spell book, she flipped to page twenty-two and studied the purple cursive words practically floating off the page:
Reverse Attraction Spell
. That’s the one. She began rummaging through the kitchen, collecting all the ingredients she’d need.

Her plan was simple. She’d cast the spell and then take the enchanted cupcake to Brandon later tonight during his shift at the Buttermilk Tavern. Once there, she’d watch to make sure he took a bite. Then, she’d put his physical attraction to her to the test. If all went according to plan, she wouldn’t receive his usual invitation to join him after his shift.

“This is going to work,” Abby said, twisting the flour container top open.

“What’s going to work?” Emma came in and slipped on her signature pink apron. Her cousin now owned the Sugar Spoon bakery, opened by their deceased grandmother decades ago. Aunt Sheila had run the bakery for years but turned it over to Emma when she retired.

After graduating from college, Abby had moved back to Buttermilk Falls and immediately started working for her cousin. The original plan was to save up for graduate school, which sounded logical, except for the fact she had no clue what she wanted to do with her life. She enjoyed working at the bakeshop and had even brought up the idea to Emma of starting a catering business.

Emma loved what she’d had to say but was quick to point out that the Sugar Spoon kitchen wasn’t equipped for catering large orders. They’d either have to renovate the space they currently had or rent a new one to make it work. When it came down to it, both suggestions scared Abby. While, in theory, she loved the idea of launching a catering company, she didn’t have a clue how to really do it.

What if she failed? It wouldn’t be the first time. All her life she’d grown up in the shadow of her successful cousin who now helped the residents of Buttermilk Falls achieve their happily ever afters. Not to mention her mother and aunt, the real seasoned witches in the Stevens clan.

She rolled up her sleeves. Her unsuccessful track record in that department was about to change.

“Where did you get that?” Emma came up alongside Abby and pointed to the spell book.

“Is Jason still here?”

“No. He and Brandon are going for a run.”

“Do those guys ever work?” Abby asked and began to sift flour into a mixing bowl. The two former city reporters seemed to have a lot of time on their hands. While Jason continued to freelance for the
Miami Herald
and wrote stories for the town’s local newspaper, Brandon had taken a bartending job at the Buttermilk Tavern. His laptop appeared to be gathering dust in his room from what Abby could tell.

“Jason’s actually headed to a journalism conference in Washington, D.C. later this week and then flying down to Miami for a freelance assignment. Your guy? I’m not so sure.”

“He’s not my guy. At least, he won’t be after tonight. Can you hand me the vanilla extract?”

Emma reached for the bottle behind her and handed it to Abby. She glanced down at the spell book, scrunching her nose. “A reverse attraction spell? That’s what you’re trying to conjure up?”

“Yep, and not ‘trying.’ I know I can do this.”

“You’re not going to cast it on yourself, are you?” Emma asked, examining the spell.

“No. It’s for Brandon.”

“Why would you do that? I thought you were enjoying your time . . .” She stopped mid-sentence, and Abby knew her cousin was searching for the right words as to not set her off. “Tangled up.”

Abby went to the refrigerator, flung it open, and pulled out an egg carton. “I’m not going to lie.” She pulled out a small, white egg and cracked it on the side of the bowl. “Brandon is awesome in bed, I mean seriously amazing, but that’s all it is to him.” She paused, not wanting to put all the blame on him. “And honestly, that’s all I wanted, too, but it’s run its course.”

“So you don’t think my prediction was right? You saw your name in his batter with your own eyes.”

“Your winning streak was bound to end sometime, dear cousin. Don’t worry, I won’t tell.”

Emma laughed. “Phew. Glad to know because that would be bad for business.” She grew serious. “Maybe you should give him more time. Get to know him—outside his bedroom.”

“I already know more than enough. Brandon Swift isn’t the guy for me. I need to be with someone who isn’t so arrogant and knows how to treat a woman.” She scrunched her nose. “And has more to his wardrobe than plaid flannels.”

“Well, why not just stop sleeping with him? Do you really need to cast a spell?”

Abby gave her a look that explained everything.

Emma mouthed a big “Oh.”

“Yeah, it’s been pretty incredible. All he needs to do is touch me and my body goes into full-on surrender mode. It’s absolutely pathetic.” She shook her head. “No, I need to call in magical artillery to put an end to this once and for all.”

“Hmmm.” Emma turned her palms upward, raising one then the other. “End things with him the normal way a woman goes about breaking it off with a man or curse him. Tough choice.”

“It’s not a curse, and you can stop teasing me anytime now. I need your support.”

Emma grabbed the book and studied the page. “Abby, you know I support your ending this casual thing you’ve got going on with Brandon if that’s what you really want, but maybe you should take a day or two to think through your plan. I mean, never mind that it’s probably not the honest way of ending things, aren’t you taking the easy way out?”

“No.” Abby frowned and went into the back office to retrieve their late grandmother’s enchanted mixing spoon from the safe where Emma locked it up each Monday night. “It’s a solution to a problem. As far as I’m concerned, it’s the only solution.”

“Whatever makes you sleep at night.” Emma placed the spell book back on the counter.

“Exactly! I’m going to get amazing shut-eye and be fully rested for the man I’m meant to be with.” Abby waved the sparkly, pink spoon in her hand. Her cousin had just used it last night to predict true love. If all went well, it would do something entirely different for Abby tonight. “Okay, I think I’m ready.”

Emma sighed, glancing down at the book again. “I guess it’s safe. Just make sure you say Brandon’s name in the spell.”

Abby took a deep breath and began chanting the words on the page.

Something happened that wasn’t meant to be.

A little magic is needed to help set us free.

With this batter I ask thee.

Please reverse Brandon Swift’s attraction to me.

With that, Abby broke the surface of the batter and began to mix the smooth texture with long, determined strokes. Repeating the spell three additional times in her head, her eyes flew open.

“So, what happens now, Hermione?” Emma kidded.

“Very funny.” Abby studied the spell book. “According to this, I need to bake it for thirty minutes and then have my intended take a bite. Simple enough.” She reached underneath for a cupcake tin while Emma handed her one light blue paper baking cup.

Just then the front door chimed. “I hope you know what you’re doing.” Emma straightened her apron and winked. “Would be awful if this spell does the exact opposite and he professes his love to you.”

“Fat chance. Even if it fails, I’m pretty sure Brandon’s incapable of saying those three words.” Abby shooed her cousin out of the kitchen and went to work on the vanilla frosting. This was going to work. After tonight, she would put all her spare time into dating men who were right for her. She’d make it known that she was now accepting resumes for a permanent boyfriend.

She could start this Friday. The town’s annual Sugar & Spice Night was taking place at the Elks Lodge, where single men and women were paired for a dinner date, in which the man made the meal and the woman brought dessert.

Similar to the Summer Fling auction, it was an excellent opportunity to meet single men while supporting a local charity. She’d talk to her friend Bridget Reed and see which bachelors might be participating in this year’s event.

Thirty minutes later, Abby pulled out one perfect spongy, chocolate cupcake and set the tin on the counter to cool next to the vanilla frosting.

“So, what is your plan?” Emma asked, re-entering the kitchen.

“Plan?” Abby asked.

“When are you going to give the cupcake to Brandon?”

“Right. He’s working tonight at the Buttermilk Tavern. I’ll take it over to him and insist he try it. Then I’ll test him.”

“Test him?” Emma repeated. “How?”

“That’s the easy part. We’ve spent the last six Tuesday nights together after his shift. If he doesn’t invite me over to his place, I’ll know the spell worked.”

“You should probably put some icing on that cupcake. I made some pumpkin cream cheese frosting this morning.” She grabbed a piping bag filled with the frosting.

“Stop.” Abby snatched it from her hand.

“What?”

“Brandon likes vanilla frosting on his chocolate cupcake.”

Emma raised an eyebrow. “He does, does he? Are you really sure you want to do this?”