She frowned. “Why not?”
“Well, for one, starting a business takes money. A lot of it. I’ve got some in savings, but not enough to lease a workspace, hire staff, advertise. Let alone pay all my bills without having a steady income. Weddings take time, Harmony. Even if I somehow managed to whip up a few clients, it would be months before I’d get my first commission check.”
Harmony looked prepared to argue the point, but I cut her off at the pass. “I’ll think about it, but for now, I need to focus on getting a job so I don’t burn through my savings. I’d say the Stimpton commission is out of my reach now. That alone would have been enough to cover things for six months.”
I drained the last of my wine and placed the empty glass on the table, debating a second glass. “I’m going to take a bath,” I announced, rising from the couch.
“You want me to get you anything? I could go out and pick up a movie or something.”
“Thanks, but I think I’m all right. Caleb is planning on coming over whenever he gets done for the night. He feels bad that I canceled the reservations at Luna.”
“I’ll let him in when he gets here,” Harmony offered.
“Thanks.”
The bath helped some, but it wasn’t long before my mind started racing, replaying the day over and over again in my head. “Should have asked Holly for a refill of sleeping potion,” I muttered to myself as I climbed out of the tub. All I wanted to do was crawl into bed, fling the covers over my head, and pretend none of it had ever happened.
Peaches, my long-haired cat, sauntered into the bathroom, chirping at me. “It might be time for you to get a part-time job,” I told her, leaning down to scratch under her chin. “Maybe you could model for a cat food company or something, pull your weight around here.”
She looked less than impressed by my suggestion.
The doorbell rang and I quickly wrapped myself in a towel and shuffled into my adjoining walk-in closet, leaving puddles of water with every step. Peaches wound around my wet legs, leaving behind kitty fur and I groaned, nudging her away with one foot before getting dressed. I used a quick spell to dry my hair and stuffed my feet into my fuzzy dragon slippers. Because, why the hex not?
Peaches recoiled from the slippers and trotted back to the bed where she jumped up and made herself comfortable on my pillow. “So, that’s a no on the modeling gig, huh?” I asked, passing through the bedroom.
My slipper-clad feet didn’t make noise on the hardwood floor as I left my bedroom, and I stopped short of the living room when I heard hushed voices.
“…think she’s in denial,” Harmony said.
“It’s a big change,” Caleb replied. “Give her some time to process.”
“I’m worried about her,” Harmony added, a wavering edge in her voice. “It’s not like her to be so impulsive. That’s more my territory,” she joked.
Caleb chuckled. “So I’ve heard.”
I slipped out of the hallway and their conversation stopped. Caleb gathered me into an embrace and gave me a quick kiss. “How are you feeling?” he asked, still holding me close.
“Like I got run over by a Shimmer Bus.”
He cringed.
“How about you? What happened after I left?”
“Not much.” He sighed. “We interviewed the wedding party, the families, and the staff. There’s a lot of information to comb through, but so far, no one can recall Evan complaining of feeling sick. It’ll take some more time to get the report back from the healers.”
“How’s Charlene holding up?” I asked. It was strange to feel so detached from the wedding already. Normally, I would have stayed at the chapel until the last guest left, or until the SPA cleared it out, whichever came first. I would have remained at Charlene’s side as long as necessary. All I could do now was hope her family and friends were able to provide some small comfort in the wake of the traumatic day.
“Her mother gave her some kind of sleeping potion,” Caleb replied. From the look on his face, he didn’t approve. “We’ll follow up with her tomorrow, if needed.”
Exhaustion swept over me and I let my head fall against Caleb’s chest.
“I told Stace that she should open her own business,” Harmony interjected.
Caleb tilted his head to look down at me. “That’s a good idea. I’m sure there’s a whole bunch of people who don’t want to deal with that harpy, Hyacinth.”
A tiny smile pulled at my lips. “She tends to save her vitriol for employees, not the firm’s clients, but thanks. I’ll think it over.”
“It’s a better idea than moving!” Harmony added.
“Moving?” Caleb repeated, a tinge of alarm in his voice. “Where to?”
I shot a look at Harmony and she shrugged. “You’re the one who said it.”
“I’m not seriously considering it,” I sighed.
At least, not yet.
“Can we drop this?” I asked, giving them each a pleading look. “It’s been a long day and all I want to do is go to sleep.”
Caleb dropped a kiss to the top of my head. “Fair enough. Things will look better in the morning.”
I sincerely hoped he was right.
Chapter 5
Unfortunately, dawn did not usher in an abundance of hope along with the sun and chirping birds. I opened my eyes and realized I was alone in my bed. The bathroom door was closed and I could hear the sound of the shower. Figuring it was Caleb getting ready for work, I rolled back over and covered my head with the sheets. So much for sleeping in and having a late breakfast together. I knew it had been too much to hope for.
When Caleb was on a case—which, was almost always—he didn’t have time for long, meandering mornings together. Even when he stayed over at my condo, he rose before the sun, dressed, and slipped out to get back to headquarters before most people were even conscious enough to make a proper cup of coffee for themselves. It was a quality I both admired and resented. As a fellow workaholic, I understood his deep-rooted drive but when I woke to cold sheets and a goodbye note instead of a good morning kiss, it was hard not to feel a little slighted.
Especially now that I didn’t have the same sense of purpose and direction. Normally, I’d wake up at six, dress, grab coffee and some variety of portable breakfast food, and be on the Shimmer Bus to the office by seven-thirty. Now, my first full day as an out-of-work wedding planner had begun and I had no idea what to do. Staying in bed, safe under the covers, seemed to make the most sense.
The shower turned off, and minutes later, Caleb stepped into the bedroom, fully dressed in his usual slacks and polo shirt. He walked the line between business casual and ready-for-anything government agent. His hair was dark, slicked back with water, but it would dry quickly and return to its normal sandy brown.
“Did I wake you?” he asked, coming to sit on the side of the bed.
“No.” I snaked a hand out from the covers and placed it on his leg. “Do you have to go to work today? Can’t you play hooky and let someone else catch the bad guys for once?”
“Afraid not. I got a call this morning,” he said, smoothing one hand over my messy hair. “Evan wasn’t sick, Ana. He was poisoned.”
“What?”
“We’re still working on nailing down what kind and how it was administered. We also need to figure out a timeline. Some poisons act faster than others.”
I nodded slowly, adding the new piece of information to my memories of the day. I couldn’t see when someone would have been able to poison Evan. He’d been surrounded by his groomsmen all day. Anything that could have poisoned Evan would have also affected his groomsmen.
“I’ll come over tonight as soon as I can get free, but it might be a busy day. I’ll pick up dinner on the way. Whatever you want.”
I smiled, though it felt shaky. “Okay.”
“You’ll be all right.” He leaned down and kissed me goodbye. “Try to relax. You don’t have to jump into something right away. Maybe take the week, no expectations, and see wh
at happens.”
It was sound advice, but I wasn’t optimistic I’d be able to follow it. Besides the occasional sick day, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a full day off. Even weekends weren’t a luxury that most wedding planners got to indulge in. After all, most weddings took place on the weekend, and even if I didn’t have a wedding, there were all the events leading up to it that took place in the time slots available to those who worked a more typical schedule. Weeknights, weekends, vacation days. My personal life got squeezed into the crevices between wedding showers, phone calls, bridal gown fittings, and consultations with caterers, bakers, musicians, DJs, and florists.
“I don’t really know what to do with myself,” I confessed in a small voice.
Caleb chuckled. “That’s the best part. Whatever you want! Go to a coffee shop, visit the bookstore, see a matinee showing of that rom-com you point out every time the trailer plays on TV.”
I laughed. “Nice try, but you’re still getting dragged to that one.”
He frowned but amusement danced in his eyes.
“The bookstore might be nice, though.” I pushed up to a sitting position. “I can’t even remember the last time I read a book all the way through.”
“There you go. Go to the one on Phoenix Way. They have a coffee shop inside and baked goods from that place you like, Sugar and Spice.”
“They do?”
“Mhmm.”
“Stars,” I sighed. “It really has been too long since I took a real day off.”
“I’ll call you later,” he said, getting to his feet.
I said goodbye and he slipped out of the bedroom. I heard him and Harmony exchange pleasantries and then the front door closed. Seconds later, Harmony poked her head into my room. “I’m going to a potion workshop,” she said. “Do you need anything before I go?”
I smiled and resisted the urge to tell her to stop mother henning me. “I’m fine. Have a good time at your class.”
“You’re sure? I could cancel and we could—”
“Harmony, go. It’s fine. I’m not staying home wallowing, I swear. I’m not going to be here anyway. I’m going out for a walk. Maybe do a little shopping.”
“All right. Well, text if you need anything.”
She ducked back out into the hall, closing my bedroom door. Peaches rolled over and yawned. For the first time in my life, I wished she was a dog so I could take her out with me for the day. I’d seen witches with their feline familiars wandering the streets of the haven before, but Peaches wasn’t that kind of familiar, or cat, for that matter. She required a fluffy bed, soft blankets, and gourmet cat food. Anything that had the potential to dirty her paws or muss her fine fur was out of the question.
“Your loss,” I told her, leaving the bedroom.
I hopped on a Shimmer Bus just outside my building and rode it to the stop on Pheonix Way. My stomach rumbled during the ride and kicked into overdrive when I stepped inside the bookstore Caleb had mentioned. The scent of fresh baked goods, sugary desserts, and rich espresso mingled in the air, wafting toward me in a cloud that smelled good enough to eat all on its own. From the outside, the shop didn’t look like much, but that was part of the magic of the haven. You never really knew what you’d find once you opened a door. A tiny, hole-in-the-wall cafe could open up into a spacious eatery with twenty-foot ceilings and crystal chandeliers.
The Sugar and Spice bakery annex was tucked in one corner of the spacious retail space, and it was clear the clientele of the shop appreciated a slow, uninterrupted experience while shopping. Several cushy seating areas were appointed throughout the space and provided a welcoming feel. Soft lighting and instrumental music completed the cozy ambience. Three steps inside and I could feel myself getting sucked into the floor, wondering if I’d ever find a reason to leave.
“Why have I never been in here before?” I wondered aloud as I perused a rack of used paperbacks in front of the short queue of customers in front of the bakery counter.
“It’s lovely, isn’t it?”
“Hmm?” I glanced up and saw the woman in line ahead of me had turned around.
She smiled. “It’s a hidden gem, that’s for sure. Are you from the Seattle Haven?”
I nodded politely and selected a book with a swarthy-looking wizard on the front cover. “Born and raised.”
“Oh, how nice. Do you work around here?” she asking, giving me a quick appraisal. According to Harmony, I didn’t do casual. I wore a pair of heather-grey slacks, black slingback pumps, and a button-up silk blouse in a jewel-tone green.
“Not too far, I’m a—” I stopped short, the rumbling hunger in my stomach froze, turning to cold anxiety in an instant.
What was I? Nearly a decade had gone into crafting my life around being an even planner and then, finally, a wedding planner. Before Caleb and Harmony came into the picture, it had been every breath, every moment. Even with a serious relationship and my younger sister back in my life, my job still dominated the lion’s share of my time.
Or, at least, it had.
Now, in the middle of a Monday morning, I was in a bookstore, perusing paperbacks as I waited to buy a pastry.
“Are you all right?” the woman asked, a gentle look of concern on her face.
I nodded, or at least I’m pretty sure I did. I slowly spun in a circle, taking in my surroundings as if I’d just been dropped in through a hole in the ceiling. What was I doing? This wasn’t where I belonged. No … no, no.
I had to get my job back!
The woman gave me a strange look as I placed the book in my hand back onto the shelf. “I have to go.”
“Oh—okay, dear. Well, have a nice day.”
My heels clicked frantically on the floor as I made a beeline for the exit. A Touch of Magic Events occupied the third floor of an office building a few blocks from the bookstore. I didn’t bother with a Shimmer Bus, opting to race on foot to the pristine building. As I scurried down the sidewalk, I searched for the right words. I’d have to apologize to Hyacinth. The idea made my lips pucker, but it was the only way forward. If I wanted my job back, I’d have to grovel. Would she make me get on my hands and knees, begging like a dog for table scraps?
I skidded to a stop.
The building was in sight, hulking on the corner ahead. Emotions wrestled and warred in my stomach as I stood, staring up at what had been my office window. Was it worth it? Worth the embarrassment and barrage of sideways insults that were guaranteed to fly in my face the moment I stepped into Hyacinth’s office? Then there was Kait. A separate dragon I would have to conquer. There was no way she’d go down without a fight. I had no doubt Hyacinth had already promised her my office and position. I’d be shocked if she hadn’t already moved in and sent out engraved invitations to a party celebrating her promotion.
Even if I could somehow talk Hyacinth into taking me back, Kait would be furious and make my life a living nightmare every opportunity she could get. She’s been a piranha before, taking little, needling bites here and there, but if I got my job back and she was demoted back to the associate role, she’d become a great white shark.
She’d take her time, plotting and planning. And then … one bite and she’d swallow me whole.
Foot traffic moved around me on the sidewalk and a man bumped my arm as I stood anchored in place, staring up at the office building. “Are you lost?” he asked after apologizing for running into me.
Considering his question, I nodded. “Yes. I think I am.”
“Well, maybe I can help. Where are you trying to go?”
A bemused laugh bubbled from my lips. “I have no idea.”
The helpful pedestrian’s face fell, a wrinkled line appearing between his brows. “Miss?”
I started and then shook my head. “Never mind. I’m all right. Thank you anyway.”
He gave me a lingering look but then shrugged and hurried on his way. I watched him turn the corner, gave one last look at my old office, and then pivoted on my heels and m
arched in the opposite direction.
I might have no idea where I was going, but I knew where I’d been, and there was no going back.
Chapter 6
I didn’t return to the bookstore. Instead, I caught a Shimmer Bus across town to Aurelia’s boutique. Aurelia Bernard was one of the supernatural community’s most famous fashion designers. I was fairly certain she could turn a burlap sack into something worthy of a runway in Milan, but her specialty was wedding dresses. Beautiful, jaw-dropping, one-of-a-kind couture gowns. Her workshop and boutique were located in the heart of the Seattle Haven, but she had clients all across the globe. I’d been spoiled working in close proximity to the legendary designer, and most of my brides wore Aurelia for their big day.
Aurelia was a witch who channeled her magic into every stitch of her creations and took the art of wedding gown design to an entirely new level. We’d always gotten along as industry friends, but six months ago, we’d both endured a traumatic attack by a sorcerer that had cemented our bond and deepened the friendship into one that would survive outside the wedding industry.
“Ana! What a lovely surprise,” she greeted me from the front counter of the exquisite shop. A few customers were exchanging awe-struck whispers in the corner as they studied the beadwork and lace on the gown worn by the display window mannequin. “Or, was I supposed to be expecting you?” she added, arching a delicate brow as she leaned over to study the large appointment book spread open on the counter.
“No, no. I’m just dropping by.”
She looked up again and smiled. “Good. Then we can have some wine and catch up.”
I glanced at the customers in the corner. “Um, Aurelia, it’s like ten o’clock in the morning.”
“Oh. Right. Coffee, then.”
“That would be nice,” I said with a smile.
“MacKenzie!” Aurelia called, her voice a tinkling sound like a wind chime.
A brunette with bronzed skin appeared in an instant from the back room. Without a word, Aurelia gestured at the customers and the young woman scurried across the shop, her three-inch heels clacking on the marble. Within seconds, the customers were deep in conversation with MacKenzie, and Aurelia offered me a satisfied smile. “Come. Let’s talk.”
Wedding Bells and Deadly Spells Page 4
