Page 56 of Secrets & Spells
Five minutes later the cash is safely locked away and I’m bundled up in my long tan wool coat and light-blue scarf. “You’re sure you’ll be alright?” Gwyn will only be another twenty minutes or so but that’s more than enough time for a teenager to get into trouble. Not that Eve’s a bad kid, but she can be impulsive.
“I’m sixteen, not six.” At my raised brows she tones down the attitude. “I’ll be fine, promise. Go have fun on your date.”
“Don’t make me regret this.”
All I get in response is a jaunty salute. Rolling my eyes at her antics I leave.
My breath puffs in front of my face when I step out into the cool early-evening air. Leaves crunch beneath my feet as I make the short walk to Jared’s house. The cold air bites at my exposed fingertips and burns my lungs, but I relish each and every breath. This is my favourite time of year. I can’t wait to share the Halloween festival with Jared.
As if he could sense my approach, Jared’s front door swings open to reveal him in a navy apron. With the dampening amulet off, he probablycouldsense me coming—he’s already familiar with my magical signature.
“Dinner will be a few minutes yet,” he tells me as I step inside.
“That’s alright. Can I do anything to help?” I ask, hanging my coat and scarf on one the hooks in his narrow entrance hall.
“Nope. Your only job is to sip wine and keep me company.”
“Now that I can do.” I leave my boots on the shoe rack, then follow him through to the kitchen. There’s already a glass of red waiting for me on the corner of the kitchen island, so I pull out one of the tall stools and get comfortable.
Jared leans down to press a quick kiss to my lips before going back to the chopping board on the opposite side of the island. “How was your day?”
“Good, busy which you know I prefer. Ocean and Kendra stopped by to get their Halloween costumes on their lunch break—thanks for reminding them.”
“Of course.” He shrugs as though it’s no big deal.
“What about you? Did you get your interview you did with Garrett yesterday typed up?”
“Yeah, and the one I did with Cordelia this morning. I didn’t expect the Halloween festival to be such a big matchmaking event.”
“Oh that woman can makeanythinga matchmaking event, trust me.”
His warm laughter fills the room. “After seeing her in work mode today, I believe you.” That makes me smile. We got together for drinks with Cordelia, Dove, Hux, and Garrett a couple of weeks ago. Cordelia’s no shrinking violet in social situations, but she’s even more full-on when she’s in work mode. I’m not surprised he still looks a little dazed after seeing that side of her. If she wanted to, she could take over the world in about a week.
“Eve’s going on her first date.”
“Really? Who’s the lucky supe?”
“Michael.”
“The gargoyle boy who shifted for me?” he checks.
“Yeah.”
Jared nods, using a knife to slide the selections of sliced vegetables into a wok. “He seems like a good kid.” I take another sip of wine. “You don’t agree?”
I twirl the stem of the glass between my fingers. “No, I do. I guess I’m just realising she’s not a little girl anymore. She’s going on her first date, and she’ll leave for her Academy training in a few years, then who knows.”
Jared leans against the counter, tea towel thrown over his shoulder. “She’s growing up.”
My shoulders slump. “Yeah.” I sigh, then take another sip of wine. “Do not tell my sister I got all sentimental over this.” I point at him in warning. “I made fun of her for doing the exact same thing.”
He cocks one blonde brow at me. “What do I get in exchange for my silence?”
The tip of my tongue darts out to wet my lips. “How about a kiss?”
“Hmm.” His voice dips lower. “I think you can do better than that.”
Holding his gaze, I take another sip of wine. “I didn’t saywhereI’d kiss you.” I let my eyes trail down the length of his long, lean body to rest just below his belt, making my intentions clear.
