by Deanna Chase
I met Jade’s eyes, guilt nearly eating me alive. “What have I done?”
She patted my hand. “Nothing that can’t be fixed. You’ll explain the next time you see him.” But there was a hint of worry in her tone. Had she read his emotions? Did she know he blamed himself? That he hadn’t stopped punishing himself? Probably.
“I don’t know if he’ll be back,” I said, staring into my coffee.
“He will.” Kane stood and took my empty plate. “No doubt about it.”
I bit my lip, not at all sure. He might hang around to keep an eye on me, but he wouldn’t be in my life if he thought I was afraid of him. He’d watch me from afar. I knew that with every fiber of my being. “Maybe.”
Jade jerked her head toward the door. “It’s time to go to work. Are you sure you want to go in? I can call someone if you’re not up for it.”
I shook my head almost violently. “No. I want to go.”
“Good. ’Cause you know how I hate working with hungover coeds.”
I snorted. “Like you could get any of them to answer a phone at this hour.”
She grimaced and flung her long strawberry hair over her shoulder. “I’d have to spell someone, and well, while I’m not above it, doing such a thing is sort of against the witch’s code.”
It was my turn to raise my eyebrows. “What code?”
“The one that says don’t be evil. Forcing anyone to wake up that early without their consent is definitely evil.” She peered at me. “Ask me how I know.”
I laughed, knowing she was talking about all the days I’d called her in when people didn’t show up or called in sick. “Whatever. Let’s go.”
***
The café was business as usual, thank goodness. Even right down to Ida May’s shenanigans. Though it did take a while to uncover her latest mischief.
I stood at the register, waiting for the woman in front of me to decide on her order. Her face was scrunched up in concentration as she read the menu. “Hmm, large chai tea and… let’s go with the Stick and Berries.”
“Chai tea,” I called to Jade. Then I paused and frowned in confusion at the woman. “I’m sorry, what else did you say?”
“The Stick and Berries.” She pointed to the case to her right, her expression impatient.
“Hmm, sorry, I don’t—” Oh, holy perv pastries. “Jade?”
She paused, holding the carton of chai concentrate over the cup. “Yeah?”
“You didn’t by chance add anything new to the case did you?” I waved at the row of plates, each carefully arranged with one biscotti, two strawberries, and a small dollop of cream. The whole thing was arranged in a rather provocative manner. The berries were on either side of the stick at one end and the cream at the other.
Jade glanced at the case. Her eyes widened in shock, then she clasped her hand over her mouth as she laughed.
“I didn’t think so.” I pulled one of the plates out and set it on the counter. “For here or to go?”
“Oh, I think I’ll have it for here.” The woman gave me a wicked secret smile. “It’s good to be bad sometimes.”
“You’re not wrong about that.” Laughter rumbled in my chest as the woman took her phallic snack to an empty table.
“Ida May might be a marketing genius,” I said to Jade. “In fact, I might make that a regular item for all of Mardi Gras.”
Ida May appeared behind Jade and floated toward me, a cat-that-ate-the-canary grin on her face. “I knew you’d come to appreciate my expertise. Now do I get a man of my own? I hear you have ghosts hanging around you day and night.”
“Don’t push it, Ida May.” I slammed the case door closed and disappeared into the back. A weight pressed down on my chest as my thoughts immediately turned to Julius. Why had I jumped to conclusions? He’d been protecting me, and I’d treated him like a monster.
Leaning against the counter, I watched the timer tick down on the oven. In less than a minute, the blueberry muffins would be ready.
Forty-five seconds to be alone with my thoughts. Not a good thing. “Oh, hell,” I muttered to myself. “Julius?”
He’s not here, Tru said, her tone full of pity.
“Let me know if he shows up sometime today?”
Sure. But you’ll likely notice him before I do. You have every other time.
“Okay.” My shoulders sagged. How pathetic was I? The buzzer startled me out of my funk. Hot muffins wouldn’t fix anything, but they sure would make me feel a little better. Momentarily at least.
I was stuffing half a muffin top in my mouth when the bell went off, indicating Jade needed my help in the front. Shrugging, I grabbed my half-eaten muffin and a fresh one for Jade and then pushed the swinging door open with my hip.
“Here,” I said as I turned toward her, but then stopped mid-step when I spotted Tyler.
“Hey there, gorgeous.” His eyes were bright with pleasure. He took his time perusing me, as if taking stock. When his gaze finally stopped on the muffin, he raised his eyebrows with interest. “Is that fresh from the oven?”
The tension from my past twenty-four hours melted away. Tyler was wholly unconnected to the drama of murder raps and disappearing love interests. And it appeared he didn’t watch the news. Or he was making a massive effort to ignore my recent trouble. He was exactly the kind of sexy flirt I knew and understood. “It is. Did you want a taste?”
A gleam of anticipation crossed his gaze as he licked his lips. “You have to ask?”
I chuckled softly and very slowly tore a piece off the muffin top. Jade would have to get her own. I held it out to him, steam billowing from the morsel.
But instead of plucking it from my fingertips, he leaned over the counter slightly and opened his mouth.
I smiled. “Is this some long-harbored fantasy of yours?”
He nodded and returned his gaze to my fingers.
“Whatever turns you on,” I quipped and immediately felt my cheeks warm. “I meant… shoot. You know what I meant.”
He quirked a curious eyebrow at me and eyed me as if he’d been issued a challenge.
No way in hell I was backing down from that. I placed the piece of muffin on his tongue. But before I could pull my hand back, he tasted my fingers, his tongue flicking over the tips teasingly.
I yanked my hand back, suddenly very aware we were having a flirt fest bordering on inappropriate right there in my café.
“Well.” Jade held a cup out to Tyler and fanned herself. “That was certainly entertaining.”
Tyler winked at her, took the cup, and said to me, “See you tonight. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
My mouth dropped open in startled surprise. The date. It was tonight. And I’d forgotten all about it.
Chapter 19
“It’s too late to cancel now.” I made a face at Jade and slipped into my four-inch stilettos. My electric-blue halter-style dress was a far cry from the sheer black number I’d been wearing when Tyler had asked me out, but it was one of my favorites. It made me feel fun and confident. Exactly how a girl wanted to feel on a first date.
“I don’t feel right about it. The killer is still out there.” She crossed her arms over her chest and frowned at me from my bed.
“What am I going to do? Stay locked up in this apartment or your house for the rest of my life?” I applied a fresh coat of dark red lipstick. “Besides, Tyler will be there with me. It’s not like I’m going to be walking the streets of New Orleans all on my own.”
She groaned and then grabbed my small purse. “Here. At least take Mr. Pepper.” She tucked her pepper spray into the outer pocket. “I’d put a small handgun in here too if I had one.”
“Why, Jade. Are you saying you’re the only woman in New Orleans who doesn’t own a gun?” I opened the bottom drawer on my nightstand and punched in a four-digit code on the small safe.
The 9 mm handgun my mother had given me when I’d turned eighteen lay in a velvet-lined box. “Will this make you feel better?”
“Oh hell.” She covered her eyes with one hand and flopped back onto the bed. “I have no idea. If the murderer is a witch, a gun isn’t going to do much in the face of dark spells.”
I checked the magazine to be sure it was loaded and then tucked the gun into my purse. “If I have to contend with dark spells, I’m doomed either way. At least with this I can shoot the bastard’s balls off.”
“You’re assuming the attacker is a man. It could be a woman.” Her flat tone indicated she’d lost the will to fight me on the issue of not going out. “But it does make me feel better that you’re armed at least. ’Cause knowing you, it’s likely you grew up taking shooting classes.”
“Not exactly, but I am certified.” I sent her a wicked smile. Of course she thought I’d grown up kicking ass and taking names. It was the persona I’d worked very hard to embrace over the past ten years. Never again would I be the vulnerable little girl on the playground waiting for someone to save me from the bully.
I’d just as soon junk-punch someone. I felt my back straighten with resolve. I loved Jade for wanting to protect me, and I allowed Kane to act the protective big brother. But when it came down to it, I wasn’t waiting for anyone to save me. I patted my handbag and held my hand out to Jade. “Let’s get a drink before my date arrives.”
“I don’t—”
“I meant coffee. Chill out, mom.” I tucked my arm through hers and dragged her into the other room.
Kane whistled from his spot on the couch. “Lookin’ good, Pypes.”
I let go of Jade, twirled, and ended with a small curtsey. “Why thank you, Mr. Rouquette. You, on the other hand, look like you’ve spent the past few days binge drinking at the club.”
He smirked at me. “That’s what happens when my BFF gets arrested.”
“Oh, poor thing. I’m sure if you clean yourself up, Jade will make you feel better.”
He grabbed her from behind, and she yelped as he pulled her onto his lap. “She doesn’t mind when I’m dirty.”
The pair of them gazed at each other with so much heat I had to fan myself. “My God, get a room.”
“Gladly.” Kane stood up and set Jade on her feet. He slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. “The Bug is back in its spot behind the shop.”
“You got my car?” I launched myself at him and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Thank you.”
He returned my hug, holding tighter than usual. “It was mostly Marc. He got it released.”
I stepped back, smiling. “Still. I know it was you that went and got it.”
“It was just a trip across town. No big deal.” He pulled Jade back to him “What do you say, Mrs. Rouquette? Ready to give me a hand in the shower?”
Leaning into him, she giggled, and if I didn’t love them both so much, I might have gagged. They were so perfect for each other. They always managed to touch my heart even when I wanted to slap them silly for too much PDA.
“Go on. Get out. I’ve got it from here.” I shooed them to the door. “Tyler will be here any minute.” A serious expression took up residence on Kane’s face, but before he could speak, I held my hand up. “Nope. Don’t even bother. I’m armed and dangerous. If anyone tries anything with me tonight, they’re gonna find themselves with an extra hole or two.”
“Good,” Kane said, nodding his approval. “Just make sure you call Marc after you take someone out.”
Jade shook her head at both of us. “Try to stay out of trouble,” she said to me as she gave me a quick hug. “And have fun. You deserve it.”
“I’ll try.” I waved, sending them off to the privacy of their own home. They didn’t even get to the stairs before they started making out. “Get a room!” I called again and slammed my door on them.
“Horndogs.” I headed into my kitchen to get that coffee brewing, and by the time the buzzer sounded, indicating I had a visitor, I had the coffee tray all set and ready to go. I strode over to the intercom. “Who’s there?”
“The man who’s dying to see you in that dress.”
“Oops. Looks like you’re going to be disappointed. If that’s all you’re here—”
“Nope. You could be wearing yoga pants and a hoodie and I’d still be dying to see you.”
I grinned. “Well, yoga pants. Every guy like those.”
“Are you going to let me up?”
I paused just to make him sweat it a little. Then, without a word, I pressed the button and held it down for a few seconds. As I waited, I busied myself doctoring my coffee with sugar and mocha-flavored cream.
A ball of nerves fluttered in my stomach at the sound of his knock. I liked Tyler, but my affection for Julius made me feel guilty for dating someone else. And that frustrated me. Even though it was my fault Julius had left, he was still gone. I sucked in a breath. I was going to have fun on this date one way or another.
I pulled the door open and stared up into a handsome, clean-shaven face. His subtle, fresh soap scent filled my senses, immediately putting me at ease. “You clean up nice,” I said, smiling.
“And you, Ms. Rayne. Nice doesn’t even begin to cover it.” He stepped inside and leaned in to kiss me on the cheek. “I think I might prefer this dress to the other one,” he whispered in my ear. “Leaves more room to enjoy the anticipation.”
I chuckled. “Do you have a line for everything?”
“Do you?”
“Usually.”
We both laughed. Okay, this could be fun. I waved to the tray on the dining room table. “Coffee?”
Tyler glanced at the carafe and the neatly arranged shortbread. “Do you mind if I take a rain check? I made reservations.”
I lowered my lashes and gazed up at him. “Reservations. Impressive. All right. Dinner first. Coffee later.”
His lips turned up into a sexy half smile. “Well, now I can’t wait.” He slipped his hand over mine. “Let’s get out of here.”
I felt the flush creep up my neck as I realized what I’d just said. I’d basically already invited him up for coffee and whatever else that usually implied. Damn. I was totally out of practice. For all my talk, my first dates usually ended at my front door.
When we got down to Bourbon Street, Tyler glanced at my feet. “I was planning on walking, but if you want I can call a cab or get one of the carriages.”
“Aren’t you romantic? A carriage ride? That sounds pretty touristy, don’t you think?”
He stared pointedly at my feet. “You look sexy as hell in those shoes. No doubt about it. But I’ve seen completely sober people wearing jogging shoes taken out by the uneven streets around here. So if you’d prefer transportation, I’m on it.”
I shook my head, chuckling. “Be prepared to be amazed by my stiletto-walking talent.”
“Then show me what you’ve got. I can’t wait to see you in action.” He nodded and waved, indicating which way he wanted me to go.
I rolled my eyes and held my hand out to him. “Just take me to dinner, nine to five. I’m starving.”
His fingers closed over mine as he gave me a questioning look. “Nine to five?”
“Oops.” I covered my laugh with my free hand. “I’ve been calling you that in my head for months. It’s because you’re a suit. You know. Monday through Friday, nine to five.”
He raised one eyebrow. “Is that a problem?”
I shrugged. “No, not for most people.”
“Oh, I see. But you’re not most people, are you?”
I stepped around a grate and hid a wince as I bit my lip. “Sorry. That sounded bad. I don’t mean it as an insult. Really I don’t. I might have an allergy to regular office jobs. I like a little more freedom.”
He shook his head. “You run a café. Th
at’s about as normal a job as an office one. Only harder because you’re always on your lovely feet.” He glanced down again and nodded in appreciation. “You sure have the legs to prove it.”
“Stop it, perv.” I punched his arm playfully. “And I don’t just run the café; I own it. So I still have my freedom. And even though I’m there a lot, the truth is I don’t have to be. Holly is more than capable of keeping things in order. I just like it. And I love working with Jade. It’s fun for me.”
We rounded a corner and headed down Chartres. “And what makes you think I don’t love my job? Or that maybe I don’t also work for myself?”
“Do you?”
“Not exactly.”
I chuckled. “Nice try, nine to five. Admit it. You’re a slave to the man.”
“Maybe.” He let go of my hand and slipped his arm around my waist. “But that’s probably why I’m drawn to you, free spirit.”
I smiled, appreciating the nickname. But I had to fight from pulling away from him. I liked him. He was fun to flirt and banter back and forth with. I only wished my body wasn’t outright rejecting his attention. I bit back a sigh and eased away from him, once again taking his hand in mine. “If I’m going to keep showing off my walking skills, I’ll need a little room to shine.”
“Fair enough. We’re here anyway.” He stopped in front of Doris, a newer high-end steak house I’d heard had received rave reviews.
Tyler opened the door for me, and only seconds after we walked in, the maître d’ strode over and shook Tyler’s hand. “Good to see you, Mr. Williams.”
“John. This is my date, Pyper Rayne. She owns the Grind over on Bourbon.”
“Ms. Rayne, it’s a true pleasure to meet you. We’re pleased you both could join us. Your table is waiting.”
The maître d’ seated us at one of the few tables near a window. “Would you like your usual bottle, Mr. Williams?
“Are you a red-wine drinker?” Tyler asked me.