Page 30 of Potions and Proposals
Why didn’t you call her in? I think this is an emergency.
Stop snapping at me! I couldn’t. She would’ve smelt something was up.
There was a pause before he responded.
I’m not snapping. When you know, text me.
I’m working as hard as I can. A little patience would be nice.
Three dots told her Benedict was typing, but she shoved her phone in her bag when she saw Rosie putting her umbrella in the holder by the door.
“I’m sorry I’m late, I got stuck in traffic dropping Harriet and Luisa to the train station.” Rosie hurried around the desk andwrapped her arms around Lucy. Her coat transferred droplets of rain to Lucy’s jumper; the autumn showers were coming more frequently.
“Don’t worry about it, I didn’t even feel the day go. I’ve been lost in some research on the final spells in the grimoire,” she answered, hating to lie.
“I feel like we haven’t really had a chance to talk since the other night,” Rosie said, eyeing her suspiciously. Lucy didn’t want to admit she’d been avoiding her, but she couldn’t risk her finding out about her element. “You’ve been a little off since you disappeared from the lake.”
“I’m fine. Probably a little burnt out and anxious about the Order member set to appear. As for the lake, I don’t think I’ll be drinking Luisa’s tea again anytime soon. I’ll be back to normal once All Hallows’ Eve passes and we can get back to our usual routine.” Lucy removed the tote bag containing the grimoire from Rosie’s desk chair. She didn’t want her to see she was bringing it home. They were dancing around the topic of her engagement, but since Rosie had been working the evenings, there hadn’t been time to talk.
“I forgot how lethal her tea was. At least you went home. I shifted form and ended up drinking out of my neighbour’s dog bowl.” Rosie grimaced, shrugging off her jacket and collapsing in the seat beside her.
“Not your cute neighbour?” Lucy was relieved she wasn’t the only one who’d suffered a night of humiliation.
“Yes, and he saw me! I don’t think my ego will ever recover.” Rosie turned on the old computer on her side of the desk that was in desperate need of replacement. She had a laptop for her own work, but the computers were mandatory for checking books in and out.
“I’m sure he found it funny,” Lucy said, trying to ease her mind.
“Speaking of funny events, you never told me how you cut through the Matherson estate the other night. I tried to track you, but the gate was locked.” Rosie took a sip of her coffee while she waited for the old computer to load.
Lucy’s eyes widened in panic; she couldn’t tell her she’d been with Benedict. “Maybe the tea affected your sense of smell? I must’ve found some other way to cut through their estate.” She avoided Rosie’s gaze in case the werewolf sensed she was lying.
“We were just glad to hear you got home okay. I tried barking at them to get out of the water, but they were too wrapped up in the stars.”
“I hope they fared better than we did in the aftermath.” Lucy tried to conceal her relief when Rosie didn’t pry any further about the manor.
“They were sad you couldn’t come to say goodbye. They wanted to stay longer, but Harriet wanted to get the afternoon train to meet her girlfriend, and Luisa had to get back to work,” Rosie explained, tucking a strand of cropped hair behind her ear.
“I couldn’t get away,” Lucy said guiltily. She stacked the other volumes she’d been going through, keeping their titles out of sight. “Next time they come into town, let’s stick to a lake swim and forego anything to do with tea.”
“Agreed.” They shook on it.
“Good morning, girls,” a patron said, hooking her walking stick onto the desk.
“Morning, Mrs Khan! I see you’re loving the Immortal Lovers series,” Rosie said, taking the books she wanted to borrow.
“I can’t get enough of that Mr. Trenton character– so dashing on that white horse of his. And how he slayed the Vampire King,” she cooed with an exaggerated shiver. Lucy stamped her to-be-returned date inside each book.
“No spoilers!” Rosie covered her ears. “I’m only on the second book.”
Mrs Khan mimed sealing her lips. “I shall say no more, but I was hoping the new book had come in.”
“I thought I’d seen it here. I promise, you’re first on the list when it comes in.” Rosie frowned, looking at the cart of newly delivered books.
Lucy froze as she put the books into Mrs Khan’s tote bag. She’d given the new book to Suzy, but thankfully she hadn’t entered its arrival into the system yet. She made a mental note to put it in once Suzy gave it back.
“You’re all stamped and ready to go,” she said, handing her the full bag.
Mrs Khan turned to leave, but then turned back with a wide grin. “How could I forget? I believe congratulations are in order! My wife told me this morning about your binding to Benedict.”
