I snickered. “You want to put together a list? That doesn’t sound very … romantic.”
Galen winked as he tipped back his head and drained the rest of his iced tea. “I can make anything romantic. I promise. As for a job, I’ll give it some thought and get back to you over dinner tonight.” He took me by surprise when he tipped back my chin and smacked a loud kiss against my lips. “I’ll pick you up around six. Is that okay?”
I dumbly nodded as my cheeks burned. Sure, the bar was mostly empty, but that was the first time he’d kissed me in public. So far, our kisses were mostly private affairs … and that was somehow comforting for me. “Sure.”
“Oh, look how cute she is,” Lilac trilled, her teeth showing as she grinned. “I love it when she gets all flustered like that. It takes away from that tough mainland persona she insists on carrying around, but I find it delightful.”
“I do, too,” Galen enthused. “In fact … .” Whatever he was about to say died on his lips as he snapped his head to the end of the bar. It was almost as if he knew something was about to happen, because the moment his eyes landed on the two women one of them threw a punch and knocked the other from her stool.
“What the … ?” Lilac was flabbergasted as she scurried around the bar.
Galen was far ahead of her. He had his hands on the brunette attacker’s shoulders before she could let loose another punch. “Knock it off, Trish,” he barked, shooting the blonde on the floor a warning look before pushing Trish far enough away that she couldn’t continue the brawl. “What are you two fighting about?”
“It’s none of your business,” Trish hissed, kicking her feet as she tried to pull away from Galen. “This isn’t a police matter. It’s a … friendship matter.”
Lilac paused close enough to my stool that she could whisper without being overheard. She was ready to dive in should Galen need help, but otherwise she remained calm and close to me. “Trish Doyle and Ashley Conner,” she muttered under her breath. “They’ve been best friends since roughly middle school, I think. They even graduated together, which was about seven years or so ago if you’re keeping count.”
I wasn’t, but it was a nice tidbit all the same. “Okay.” I kept my eyes on the women, who were both red-faced and flustered as they glared at one another. “Apparently they’ve had a falling out.”
“Apparently,” Lilac agreed, stepping forward. “You guys know better than to fight in here. What’s got you all twisted up?”
“It’s none of your business,” Ashley snapped, rolling to her knees and slowly getting to her feet. She checked her arm, as if looking for a mark, and then gave Trish a wide berth as she circled the table and increased the distance between them. “As for you, I think you know what I’m about to say.”
“Oh, I know,” Trish sneered. “You’re going to say our friendship is over because I betrayed you, but in reality you betrayed me. We both know it. He knows it, too.”
“Who is ‘he’?” I asked innocently, earning a quelling look from Galen and a hateful stare from Trish.
“It’s none of your business, newbie,” Trish barked. “Don’t go sticking your nose into other people’s affairs. That’s a surefire way to find trouble on this island.” She shifted her eyes back to Ashley. “As for you, if I see you again you know what’s going to happen.”
“I definitely know what’s going to happen,” Ashley agreed, smoothing her shirt and showing her teeth … which looked a lot longer than they should, as if she were about to turn into some sort of otherworldly creature. Of course, given the heightened situation, there was every chance I was imagining that. “You’re going to lose if we run into each other again.”
“Oh, in your dreams.” Trish rolled her eyes. “You’re the one who will lose. In fact, you’d better keep your distance from him if you don’t want to lose … well, everything.”
“Knock that off,” Galen warned, giving Trish a good shake. “I can’t stand by and listen to you toss around death threats. You know that.”
I had to admire his calm veneer even as I marveled at the way the women glared at each other. In that particular moment I had no doubt that both would be willing to use their teeth to rip out the other’s throat. It was a sobering – and chilling – realization.
“You don’t have to worry about us,” Ashley called out as she arrived at the door. She appeared calm, but I could practically feel the distress wafting off her in waves. “We won’t cause trouble, will we, Trish?”
Something unsaid passed between the two women and Trish straightened. “Of course not,” she answered perfunctorily. “We’re done fighting. It was a quick thing and it’s over now.”
Galen obviously didn’t believe them, but he was in a precarious position. “Steer clear of each other until you two calm down. Do you hear me?”
Trish offered a sarcastic salute. “We hear you. We’ll be good, boss. We promise.”
I was new to Moonstone Bay, but I clearly recognized she was lying. Galen had no reason to restrain the women, though, so he took a step back and offered them the opportunity to clear out. “I’ll be watching if you don’t keep your word.”
Ashley licked her lips. “Like I said, you don’t need to worry about us. We’ve got everything under control.”
“Everything,” Trish echoed. “We won’t cause trouble. We swear it.”
For some reason, I didn’t believe them.
3
Three
Galen was prompt, knocking on my door at exactly six. He was dressed in cargo shorts and a simple T-shirt, his black hair fresh from the shower and slicked back from his face as it dried. He took a long moment to study my cotton skirt and peasant blouse and offered a smile before extending his hand.
“You look nice. I like how the white top looks against your dark hair.”
As far as greetings go, it was an odd one. “I … thank you.”
Galen made a face. “That came out a little weirder than it sounded in my head.”
“Kind of like you were on America’s Next Top Model and gushing about my fabulous walk?”
“Pretty much.”
Even though I didn’t fancy myself much of a giggler I couldn’t stop myself. “Thank you for saying it, though.”
“I do like the way you look in the top.” Galen shook his hand, as if to remind me it was still extended between us. “Are you ready to head out?”
“Sure.” I was still getting used to the fact that Galen not only wanted to spend time with me but seemingly enjoyed showing me around the island. I took his hand and cast a glance over the living room, briefly wondering if May was around and watching us depart. “I’ll be back later,” I called out to no one in particular. “I … um … will see you then.”
I pulled the door shut and locked it before shoving my keys into my small bag and turning a set of expectant eyes to Galen. He looked amused, although I couldn’t exactly figure out why. “What?”
“This is Moonstone Bay. You don’t have to lock your door.”
“A week ago I was abducted and almost killed by a lawyer,” I reminded him. “Before that a crazy man with an ax broke in while I was sleeping.”
Galen’s smile slipped. “Don’t remind me. By the way, I’ve been in contact with Ned’s law firm. They want to hold onto the property he acquired – especially because he didn’t have any living relatives – but I’ve put them in contact with the DDA and told them to sort it out with those guys.”
The DDA remained the one mystical source of power I couldn’t quite understand in Moonstone Bay. Sure, you might think I’d be more upset to learn I was a witch – yeah, that’s totally true – or that Galen was a wolf shifter (totally true and kind of hot), but the fact that everyone in Moonstone Bay feared the DDA somehow twisted me up more.
“Exactly how much property did Ned Baxter manage to amass thanks to murdering little old ladies who lived by themselves?”
Galen shrugged. “First, I know you don’t know your grandmother very well, but she�
��s going to take that ‘little old lady’ comment as a direct insult. Second, he had a lot of deals in the works. The ones that weren’t finished will revert back to the seller, which happens to be most of them. There were two or three he managed to shove through, though, and that’s going to cause issues.”
“And this DDA that you’re so afraid of but I’ve never managed to see up close and personal, you think they’ll be able to fix everything so that it’s as if Ned never went on a killing spree?”
Galen was blasé as he fell into step next to me, keeping my hand in his as we headed toward the main drag. “I think that the DDA is better equipped to deal with the fallout than I am. No one knew what Ned was up to until it was too late. As for pretending Ned never went on a killing spree, that will never happen because you’re here and you’re only here because Ned killed May.”
He had a point. “Would you prefer May back or me here?” I asked the question before I thought better of it. Putting Galen on the spot seemed somehow unfair. How could he possibly answer that question?
“I would prefer not answering that,” Galen replied without hesitation. “Either way I’ll look like an ass. I loved May – she was a good woman – but I kind of like having you here. It’s a toss-up.”
I smirked. “I’m sorry. That was unfair to ask.”
“Not unfair, just … impossible to answer.” Galen squeezed my hand as the now-familiar lights from downtown filled the vista stretching in front of us. “So, this is your first Moonstone Bay festival. I think you’re in for some fun. What do you want to do first?”
The conversational shift threw me for a loop. “Oh, um … whatever you want is fine.”
Galen’s smile slipped. “You’re not one of those women who says, ‘I don’t care where we eat’ and then pitches a fit when I pick a location you don’t like, are you?”
I was offended. “No. If I’m in the mood for something to eat I’ll tell you. I wasn’t saying that to be a typical woman.”
“Fair enough. Why did you say it?”
I saw no reason to lie. “Because Aurora made it sound like the last place I would want to hang out was a Moonstone Bay festival.”
“When did you hang with Aurora?”
“She stopped by for coffee this morning after her naked swim.”
“Ah.” Galen didn’t seem particularly perturbed by the news. “I asked her not to disparage things like the festival in front of you. She must have forgotten.”
He wasn’t ashamed to admit it, so I saw no reason to ignore the potential conversational bedlam hanging over us. “And why did you tell her to watch what she said around me again?”
Galen held out his free hand to usher me onto the sidewalk in front of him and then matched my pace. “I didn’t ask her to watch what she said around you as much as I pleaded with her not to give you preconceived notions about Moonstone Bay as a whole. There’s a lot about this place you don’t yet understand.”
“Do you honestly think I don’t know that?” I wanted to laugh at his earnest expression. “I figured out Moonstone Bay was different the first time I saw Aurora swimming naked in the surf … and that was before I saw you turn into a wolf.”
Galen pursed his lips. “I don’t remember you taking that well. In fact, if I remember correctly there was a lot of screeching and whispered threats about me keeping that a secret that first night.”
“That’s not what happened.”
“It’s close to what happened.”
“Not really.” I moved to pull my hand away, but Galen didn’t release my fingers. “I don’t screech.”
Galen snorted. “Right. I must have imagined that. It doesn’t matter. Let’s talk about something else. Let’s talk about the festival.”
“Okay, let’s talk about the festival.” I was gung-ho to talk about whatever he wanted to talk about … as long as it wasn’t my perceived screeching. “What should I expect from this happy Moonstone Bay event?”
“Well, I guess that depends on your favorite festival food. How do you feel about cotton candy?”
“It’s okay but not a favorite.”
“Caramel apples?”
“Not a big fan.”
“Elephant ears?”
“I would roll around naked in the dough and eat them for dessert for the rest of my life.”
“I knew there was a reason I was attracted to you.” Galen’s grin was charming as he directed me toward the front gate of the festival. The closer we got, the more I could admire the rides and bright lights. “I’m a big fan of carnival food. I like kebabs … and hot dogs … and burgers. There’s even a food truck that serves fried green tomatoes if you’re interested in that type of thing.”
I perked up considerably. “Really? I love fried green tomato sandwiches.”
“That just goes to prove we’re even better matched than I originally thought.”
He was cute, but sometimes I got the distinct impression that he was trying too hard. “You don’t have to lay it on so thick,” I supplied. “I know you’re enjoying the dating thing we’re doing as much as me. It’s still new to both of us, though. You don’t need to constantly ply me with compliments to get me to keep dating you … at least not right now. That might change if you keep bringing up screeching that never happened.”
“Ha, ha.” Galen flicked my ear with his free hand. “I don’t mean to bury you in an avalanche of compliments. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about you from time to time, though. This place is new and you’re still getting used to things you might not be ready to understand.”
“And you’re fearful I’ll decide that it’s not for me and take off with no warning,” I mused. “I get it.”
“I don’t want you to take off,” Galen agreed. “You belong here. I don’t think you realize that yet, but given some time, I think that’s the one conclusion you won’t be able to ignore.”
“Well, I’m willing to look at it through open and accepting eyes if you promise to stop telling people how they should react around me. I mean, for the record, I’m not going to start hating festivals simply because Aurora tells me they’re a pain in the butt. I can form an opinion of my own.”
Galen smirked. “I’m more than aware of that. I apologize for telling people to keep their opinions to themselves. I simply didn’t want to overwhelm you.”
“A festival won’t overwhelm me.” I meant it. “In fact, I happen to love a good festival.”
Galen grinned as he tugged on my hand and directed me to the left. “Well, in that case, how do you feel about visiting the House of Mirrors first?”
“I could handle that. But I want some sugar first.”
Galen’s smile turned wolfish. “I like sugar, too.”
“Ugh. You’ve got a dirty mind.”
“That’s just one thing you’ll have to get used to.”
“I think I’m up to the task.”
“HERE YOU GO, honey. Don’t say I never gave you anything.”
I tried to hold my smugness to a tolerable level as I handed Galen a stuffed bear with minimal charisma and a lopsided smile an hour later. Galen took the animal, shaking his head as he studied the pathetic creature that was harder and lumpier than most plush toys should be.
“This did not work out as I thought it would,” Galen admitted after a beat, his expression unreadable as he studied the bear. “Most of the time, when it comes to a festival, I’m the one who wins a bear and wows my date. It doesn’t often happen in reverse. In fact, it’s never happened in reverse.”
I didn’t know what to make of the admission. “Just how many women have you tried to win stuffed animals for?”
Instead of being abashed, Galen shrugged. “A few. I like to think of myself as the athletic sort. If you must know, though, I haven’t won a stuffed animal for a woman in ages, so you have nothing to worry about.”
I knew it was unnecessary to poke him, yet I couldn’t stop myself. “That streak is technically still intact.”
Ga
len scowled, which only served to make him more appealing for some reason. “Yeah, well, I don’t understand why you couldn’t simply let me win the stuffed animal on my own.”
“You threw away twenty bucks without making any headway.”
“I would’ve won eventually.”
“Yes, well, I used to work for an indoor carnival outfit when I was in high school. I know all the tricks of the trade.”
Galen furrowed his brow. “What tricks? You throw darts at a balloon. There’s no trick involved with that.”
I patted the top of his head because I couldn’t resist his adorable expression. “You’re so cute.”
Galen caught my hand and snagged my gaze. “I’m serious. How can there be a trick to throwing darts?”
“How can you ask that after I won you a bear and you tossed away twenty bucks winning me nothing?”
Galen’s cheeks flushed, forcing me to bite my bottom lip to keep from laughing. He looked caught, as if he wanted to learn while at the same time holding on to his stereotypical manhood. I was curious which would win out. Ultimately, his curiosity couldn’t be denied.
“Okay, I’ll play. How do you win the dart game?”
I smiled in triumph … and also relief. Galen was a man, but he was one who wanted knowledge more than bragging rights. That was something I could work with. “Well, for starters, you need to arc up.” I gestured with my hands for emphasis. “The darts are dull for two reasons, one of which is that people can’t be trusted not to poke out their own eyes.”
“I can see that.”
“The other is that most people aim directly at the balloons,” I added. “You don’t work up enough velocity at that angle to pop the balloon. If you arc up, gravity helps and gives you enough force to pop it.”
Witches Just Want to Have Fun Page 30