Page 34 of Demon's Mate
Satan, did Nico know he was a huge liar?
Harper had the urge to run out of the shop before he was caught but forced himself to stay still. Even if Nico suspected he was lying, he couldn’t see past the suppressant Harper was taking. He couldn’t know Harper was a witch. Maybe there was no hidden meaning in what Nico had said.
Harper just had to go on as normal and stop overthinking.
Harper closed his bag, fiddling with the top flap. There was nothing he could do about the missed opportunity. He couldn’t work here, talking to all kinds of customers about their potion needs and brewing unique mixes when that could easily get back to his coven.
If only things were different.
Nico handed over payment for the potions and a package of new ingredients. “I hope you consider it, Mr. Harper. I won’t pry into your, ah, situation with your employer, but just know there are options.”
Harper stuffed the bundle into his bag. What did Nico think his situation with his employer was? What options? Did he mean options for Harper?
“Okay, sure.” Sweat broke out on Harper’s forehead. “The guy I work for definitely has options.”
“Yes.” Nico pressed his lips together like he was holding something back.
Harper hurried out of the shop.
Harper’s stomachhurt as he walked through the Banks. Working with witches had always been risky, but how had Nico figured him out? And he had figured him out, hadn’t he? His comments didn’t make sense otherwise.
What did Nico mean he wouldn’t pry? Was he trying to say he wouldn’t interrogate Harper if he admitted there was no employer?
Harper groaned. What did it matter? He couldn’t trust Nico and wouldn’t go back on his disguise now. He wasn’t risking anything getting back to his coven, and a new hire brewing exceptional potions would catch their interest more than a human selling on behalf of a witch.
He’d just have to see what it was like next time he dropped off his brews and go from there. Unless… Should he find another job?
Harper eyed all the shops around him. It was too bad his human employable skills were practically nonexistent.
Seaside Coffee was open when Harper reached it, and he needed a pick-me-up. A nagging voice urged him to save his money, but he didn’t want to return to the empty apartment and obsess over the interaction with Nico.
Harper pushed open the coffee shop door. He’d been eyeing this place since he’d first come to this part of the city, and he’d finally gone in the other day. The name was odd, given they weren’t near the beach or even the riverfront, but Harper wasn’t bothered.
He liked the art on the walls and all the cozy little miss-matched tables packed into the place. Next to the front door was a display of handcrafted mugs and dishes for sale.
Cute. Too bad he couldn’t afford stuff like this right now.
“Hey, Harper,” a voice called.
He jumped, gripping the strap of his bag tight. Slowly, he turned to see who’d spoken.
“Sorry.” Dex smiled from behind the counter, hands up in surrender. “You must have been a million miles away. Didn’t mean to scare you.”
“That’s okay.” Harper approached, his heart pounding. “I didn’t know you worked here.” Dex hadn’t been around last time.
Dex shoved his hands in his apron pockets. “I’ve worked here forever. Did Ollie tell you to come by?”
“No. I just liked the look of the place.”
Dex smiled widely, his enigmatic gray eyes lighting. “Sounds like you’ve got good taste. What can I get for you?”
Harper ordered and took his coffee to a small table beside the counter, right at the back of the room, where he could sit with his back to the wall and see out the front windows.
A prickle of awareness itched along his skin like he was being watched.
He scanned the café, checking if anyone was paying him undue attention. It didn’t seem like it.
The person who’d been behind him in line walked past his table toward the restroom. He flashed Harper a smile, and Harper returned it reflexively. He was pretty sure it was the same guy he’d run into the other day.
