Page 31 of Magic & Mochas
“Not exactly.”Her tails flicked agitatedly.“There’s just this…guy who has been visiting nearly every day this week.”
“Oh?”I raised an eyebrow.“Has he taken note of your bakery’s fabulousscones?Or perhaps the fabulousowner?”
Kana’s cheeks reddened, and she looked a tad flustered.“I’m starting to suspect it's the latter.”
“Is he cute?”Then I gave myself a mental kick.Looks only got you so far, as I found out with Rasmus.“Scratch that—is he considerate and respectful?”
“So far?Yes—to both.”
“That’s a good start, then.”I saw the shadows shiver from the corner of my eye, and smiled when Thorne emerged from the back room and joined me.“If you want, Kana, you could invite this guy here for a coffee date sometime—Thorne and I can keep an eye on him.”
Kana brightened.“Would you?That would make me feel better.”
“You bet.”I could practically feel Thorne frowning next to me, but he waited until Kana had left with her coffee to speak.
“I’m not a mercenary for hire anymore,” he said quietly.
My eyes widened.“I’m sorry—I didn’t mean it like that!I should have asked you first.I just…”
“Just what?”His tone lightened a fraction.
“I feel so safe whenever you’re around.I just thought that knowing you were here would help Kana feel at ease, too.”I bit my lip.
Thorne’s expression softened.He braced his arms on either side of me and leaned in close to murmur in my ear, “You feel safe with me?”
I turned my head slightly, so our faces were only inches apart.“Yes.”
The only reason I had not worried at all when Rasmus showed up was because Thorne had been there.Even if our relationship was only for show, I had known that Thorne wouldn’t let anyone hurt me.
Of course, I had plenty of defensive spells of my own, not to mention a robust offensive arsenal, but… There was just something about having someone in my corner that freed me to speak my mind without holding back.
I tilted my chin up, and Thorne’s violet eyes dropped to my lips.I licked them impulsively, and his eyes tracked the motion.Then he was kissing me, as softly as the rain.He tasted like cinnamon—a spice I had never been overly fond of.
Until him.
“Ahem.Should I come back later?”A teasing voice brought my attention back to the shop—and the customer who had snuck up to the counter like a ninja.
Blushing furiously, I quickly said, “Not at all, Mei.What can I get for you?”
“I’ll take a Witchfire Espresso and one of those delicious-looking scones.I think I’m going to need the magical energy boost to get through planning the logistics for this year’s Moonlit Masquerade Ball.We’re catering it this year.”
“I nearly forgot about that!”I’d been so busy preparing to open my own coffee shop that the ball had completely slipped my mind.
“You’ve had a lot on your plate lately, so I don’t blame you.”Mei chuckled.“The ball will be in about a week—on Halloween night, of course.”
I frowned.“Won’t there be a full moon on Halloween this year?Will the werewolves be alright?”
“Yes—your parents will be providing a special brew that will help them stay in their half-shifted forms.That way, the call of the moon won’t be as strong, and they can still enjoy the ball on two legs.So long as we make sure they all actuallydrinkthat potion, of course.”Mei rolled her eyes.
“That’s good to hear.”My smile was tinged with a hint of concern.Mei’s golden eyes had dark circles under them.“Is there anything I can do to help?”
Mei brightened.“Actually, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble….Could I ask you to cater the drinks?”
I clapped my hands together.“I’d be delighted!”
“Thank you so much, Clove.That is such a huge weight off my shoulders!”Mei took a long swig of the brew I handed her with a grateful smile.“Now I can just focus on the food.And I’ll bring over the funds we reserved for the drinks later tonight.”
“That would be great.”It might help strengthen my revenue numbers for the month a good deal.
