Page 50 of The Magical Tea Shop

Holly waved a dismissive hand. “She’s not focused on us. She’s all about fun and smelling the flowers, not to mention her historical society. Really, it’s just us. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

A happy dance, thought Ivy, before acknowledging that was unfair. She imagined her own life without Holly’s constant criticism. For one crystal clear instant, she enjoyed that thought, then put it aside. She adored her sister. Holly had been a stabilizing influence all her life. She loved having her around and sharing space for their similar businesses. And Holly really did love her, even if they bickered all the time. “I don’t know what I would do without you either.”

Holly nodded and picked up some crumbs off the plate and ate them. She rolled her eyes in ecstasy and sighed. “So, you’ll be careful, right? I’m sorry I was critical of you. From now on, I’ll protect you.” She tilted her head. “I’ll be your shield, little sister.” She nodded, clearly pleased by her proclamation. “Don’t go out with any more losers.”

“I wouldn’t call them losers.”

“You’re too charitable. This is Hazard, and dating is hazardous. You need to stay safe. We could hang out.”

“Hang out,” Ivy repeated stupidly.Holly wanted to hang out with her?

“I could help you with your marketing.”

Ivy leaned back to study her sister. “That would be great, but what about the bet?”

“Well, I don’treallywant you to fail, do I? That would be petty.”

Petty was Holly’s middle name, or it had been. Had eating the cookies changed their relationship? “You would really lose the bet.”

Displeasure, quickly cloaked, flashed over Holly’s face. “We’ll just cancel that silly old bet,” said Holly.

“Ah.” There it was. Holly couldn’t lose, if the bet was no more.

“I’ll help you succeed instead. That’ll be better. It’ll just be us.” Again with the hand clasping. “We’ve always been devoted to each other, even as kids. We can be devoted to each other now. Have each other’s backs. What do you say?”

Chapter Eighteen

Jaxon finished thearchitectural plans for the kitchen addition he’d been working on for Cece Tollivar. She wanted to surprise her contractor husband Dartagnan in the hope he would actually upgrade her kitchen, like he’d been promising for the last five years. Jaxon was glad for the work, but wasn’t sure Cece was pursuing her goal the proper way. He knewhedidn’t like to be tricked, coerced, or blindsided.

He paused at the salon’s entrance, and she waved him in. “Hey, Jaxxy—you got my plans all drawn up?”

“Sure do. You positive Dart’ll go for you surprising him like this?”

“Ah, that don’t matter.” Cece laughed. “A promise is a promise. I’m just helping my man keep his.” She took the envelope with the plans from Jaxon and spread them out on the counter. “You sure do detailed work. I love the arch here over the little breakfast nook for two. So romantic. Makes me excited about getting up early, just so we can enjoy breakfast together. Do I owe you anything?”

“Nope, you’re all paid up.”

“Even better. Thank you for being a co-conspirator in my underhandedness.”

Jaxon shifted. Underhandedness? He was just doing a job. He sure hoped Dart understood. He especially hoped it was a pleasant surprise and not an annoyance. But doing the right thing could lead to pitfalls. Jaxon preferred to be up-front, which meant he’d better quit procrastinating and tellallhis tenants about the sale of the building. Might as well start now. “I need to fill you in on some changes.”

“With the plans?” Cece squinted at the blueprints.

“No, with this building. I’m selling.”

“Selling?” Cece straightened her chartreuse-framed glasses to peer at him.

Jaxon nodded. “I’ve taken a job in Boston. It’ll be too hard to manage the building long distance. I don’t want to shortchange my tenants. I’ve got a buyer and escrow started.”

“Oh, well, life is change.” Cece studied him. “You don’t look so happy. Are you?”

“Yes?” Jaxon coughed. He hadn’t meant for it to sound like a question. The closer it got to his move, the more he doubted his decision. He had a new salaried job and a lead on an apartment that allowed pets. It’d be close enough to walk to work if the weather was good. He loved being able to walk to work like he did here. Of course, it wouldn’t be as close. Montgomery would be alone longer than he was used to, but there was a park. Just not right across the street like the town green.

He’d checked out the nearby shops and restaurants. It’d be great. He could experience all Boston had to offer: museums and public transport…and traffic and crowds. He frowned. “Anyway, I wanted to let my tenants know about the sale. I told Holly when I was in the bakery. I’m headed to tell Lydia next, probably.”

“And Ivy?” Cece’s glasses slid down her nose.

Jaxon shifted under the older woman’s perusal. “Of course, I’ll tell Ivy.”

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