Page 17 of Cursed Luck
She narrowed her eyes and tilted her head. “He told me he was glad I wasn’t hardheaded about the changes he suggested.”
A chuckle slipped from Brandy, even though she had bit down on her lower lip. “That doesn’tsoundlike he called you hardheaded…”
Mia’s nostrils flared as she stared at the beautiful witch.
“What? Okay, look. I’ll admit he could have worded it differently, but it sounds like poorly stated praise.”
“Praise? If you define that as praise from Edward, I’m worried to hear what an insult would actually be.”
A customer came in and slipped by them. Brandy watched as they made their way to the counter before she grabbed Mia’s wrist and tugged her toward the back. Mia peeked back to verify her SUV looked locked up and let herself be led.
Brandy studied her a moment, her earlier humor gone. “If Carter were born first, I would describe Edward as an example of middle-child syndrome. Edward has always done his best to distance himself from us. He can be socially awkward, and what he says doesn’t always reflect what he means. I don’t blame you for being upset at him, but his heart is in the right place. I’d guess he meant he was relieved you listened to his advice. Tell me, has it helped business?”
The man exuded confidence in spades, but as their first interaction came to mind, Mia realized there was more to the man. “Once I decided to give his suggestions some real thought, I found that more people came into the shop.”
Brandy offered her a kind smile. “That’s great.”
Mia nodded. “The first time, he actually helped me land a bridal shower and a wedding. The flirt was on it…”
“Oh, I’m sure the flirting may have helped, but it’s not why you landed it,” Brandy stated, but something about her words gave her pause.
“What do you mean?”
Brandy shook her head. “You could say Edward istalentedin knowing what people need. You should ask him about it sometime. Maybe he’ll talk to you about it.” She mumbled the latter, her head tipped in thought.
“Are you saying it’s…” Mia checked they were alone before whispering, “Magic?”
Brandy shrugged. “Yeah—”
“Brandy? We need you,” a man called from behind the counter, interrupting whatever information she was about to divulge.
“Sorry… look, it sounds like whatever he advised is helping. Maybe if you’re open to him, he’ll open up about it.”
Mia was not able to respond to Brandy’s crazy suggestion before she hurried off. Looking around, she smiled at the pretty flowers before calling out a good-bye and tossing the empty boxes into the back of her SUV.
She had left a note on the door saying she was on a delivery, but it was past time she returned. Mia shoved any thoughts of Edward, his pain-in-the-ass behavior, and his magic into a box for another time. If she were lucky, she would lose the compartment and forget how the man drove her crazy.
Brandy had hinted that Mia should spend more time with Edward, something she did not foresee happening. Edward had already helped her, and there was no reason for him to come back around, especially since what he did was as a favor to his sister. Mia was not paying him for his consultation.
Within minutes, she parked behind her shop. After unlocking the door, she kicked off her shoes and set the two boxes onto a stack she kept for deliveries.
“I’m back, beauties,” she called and sucked in a deep breath. Her plants were her family. Her connection to them ran deeper than any relationship she had ever cultivated.
She removed her cell from the pocket of her maxi dress and slid it into the drawer as it lit up.Momflashed across the screen, drawing a smile from her.
“Mom?”
Sounds rattled through the phone until her mother’s muffled voice could be heard. Mia chuckled at the mess, her thumb hovering over the End Call button.
“Mia? Sorry, I dropped the phone and then your father pointed out this beautiful stick bug,” her mom said.
“Enjoying yourselves?” she asked.
“Very much. I’m not sure how people trap themselves inside buildings all the time.”
Mia laughed. “I’m in a building all the time—”
Her mom clucked her tongue. “It’s not the same. You have your plants and flowers surrounding you.”
