Anica waved away her promises to pay later for the triple-shot espresso. “It’s on the house. The rush should be over in a few minutes, and then I can come over and talk to you.”
“Thanks. I’d appreciate that.” Lily felt better just being in the cheerful bustle of Wicked Brew. Office buildings, including the one where Jasper worked, were a short block away, and Anica catered to that crowd by opening early and closing in the late afternoon and on weekends.
She used magic to keep the white Formica tables and the black-and-white checkered tile spotless. She always placed red carnations in bud vases on every table, and made sure the coffee was some of the best in town. Lily wished she lived a little closer to Wicked Brew, but there hadn’t been any apartments available in that neighborhood when she’d needed one.
Now she was settled in a spot she liked, or at least she had liked it until she’d brought Griffin into the mix. Now she could barely stand to be in the apartment, because Griffin wasn’t there and might never be there again.
Anica called her name for the coffee drink, and Lily carried it over to one of the few vacant tables in the place. Fortunately the nice weather meant Anica could set some tables and chairs out in front. Everywhere Lily looked, people were laughing and smiling, enjoying the lovely spring morning.
Anica was probably happy, too, on the heels of her rousing engagement party. Lily felt guilty for coming into such a positive environment, trailing black ribbons of depression.
The triple-shot espresso helped. A few sips of that and she began feeling loads better. Maybe if she kept herself jacked up on coffee for the next few days, she’d barely notice that she wanted to crawl into a drainage pipe and never come out.
Anica hurried over and sat down, wiping her hands on a paper towel. “You look like crap.”
“I know.” She started to get up. “I didn’t mean to come here and bring you down. I’ll just take my coffee and—”
“Hey, hey.” Anica grabbed her arm and urged her back to her seat. “I didn’t mean to drive you off. But judging from those dark circles under your eyes, I’d say you haven’t slept much.”
Lily allowed herself to be coaxed back into her seat. “Stupid concealer is no good. I should have taken time to brew up an under-eye potion, but all I could think of was coming over to see you.”
“Poor Lily.” Anica stroked her arm. “You haven’t heard from him.”
Lily shook her head. “How about the Lowells? Have they called?”
“No, and just for the record, I have no idea what they told him. They never divulge that kind of information.”
“But they told him something.” Lily sipped her coffee drink. “I’m sure of that.”
“Oh, I’m sure they did, too. The very fact that he’s changed his pattern and is staying away is proof.”
Lily rotated her coffee cup between her palms, mixing the contents some more, although they didn’t really need it. “I’ve thought about trying to take Chad’s shift tonight, in case Griffin and his friends come in.”
“Don’t do it. He’d know why you did, and you don’t want to signal that you’re needy.”
“But I am needy!” Lily heard the unattractive whine in her voice and grimaced. “Forget I said that.”
“Lil, what caused him to leave last night?”
Lily described the circumstances, and when she was finished, Anica reached over and stroked her cheek.
“I’m so sorry for what you’re going through, but you should be proud. You beat back that adrenaline rush and did the right thing.”
“It may be the right thing, but it feels like doggie do. And that’s the other thing. Daisy, the turncoat, is in mourning because Griffin’s not there. Isn’t she supposed to be offering me comfort?”
Anica took a deep breath. “Normally, yeah. But you used her to create the elixir, so there’s probably a strong bond between them now. She might really need him around.”
“Well, that’s just great. Griffin’s definitely not around, and if he’s this good at staying away, he might not ever be around again. What am I supposed to do about Daisy?”
“I don’t know, Lil. You could ask Dorcas and Ambrose.”
“No, thank you very much, but I think I’ll forgo that option. I’ll let Griffin be the contact point there.” She glanced across the table at her sister. “Aren’t they supposed to be matchmakers?”
“That’s one of the things they do. They certainly helped Jasper and me.”
“So far all they’ve done for me and Griffin is drive us farther apart.” She met Anica’s sympathetic gaze. “But I have to thank you, sis, for not saying I told you so. You could say it and nobody would blame you.”
Anica gazed at her, a hint of humor in her blue eyes. “Want me to say it and fulfill my job as a big sister?”
“Zeus’s balls, no! In fact, let’s talk about you. My life is too depressing. How are Fred and Janet, your soon-to-be in-laws?”
Anica made a face. “They flew out of O’Hare this morning, and I swear, a big black cloud moved away from the sun the minute their plane took off.”
“I’m afraid they didn’t appreciate Mom’s fertility symbol gift.”
“And the more they criticized it, the more I came to love it, which is not a good sign.” Anica sighed. “I should try harder to like them, but they are beyond dull, and they have such a negative attitude toward everything. I’m sure the hotel was delighted to get rid of them.”
“Are they going to sue? They tried to rope Griffin into helping them do that.” Lily was proud of herself for saying Griffin’s name without breaking into tears.
“I’m not sure if they’ll sue or not. I think that’s still on the table. The only good news is that they never suspected that your magic show was real, because they wouldn’t dream such things could happen. The bad news is that their lack of imagination is really depressing.”
“Looking forward to that relationship, are you?”
Anica groaned. “I’d rather take a sharp stick in the eye than deal with them, and yet they’re Jasper’s parents, so what am I going to do?”
“Give them an imagination elixir so they’ll become more interesting?”
“That’s not even funny.”
“Yes, it is.” Lily discovered that making Anica feel better buoyed her spirits more than the triple espresso. “You’re trying not to laugh.” She pointed a finger at her sister. “See, you think it’s funny. You’re already planning how you’re going to slip an elixir in their decaf or their diet ginger ale.”
Anica covered her mouth but the giggles escaped, anyway. “That would be a kick. Hera’s hickeys, I’m tempted.”
“I’ll help. We can test whether it’s working by bringing out the fertility symbol to see if their reaction improves.”
“And if they’re still horrified by that gigantic penis, we’ll keep dosing them with the elixir until they covet the fertility symbol for their mantel at home.” Anica’s cheeks were pink with laughter. “Tell you what. We’ll see how bad things get between now and the wedding.”
“Which is a mere four weeks away.”
Anica looked heavenward. “Don’t remind me.” “Too late. I just did.”
“And I have so much to do before then.”
“Put me to work,” Lily said. “I have a wand and I know how to use it. Besides, as it turns out, I’ll probably have tons of free time.”
Without constant surveillance from Kevin and Miles, Griffin wouldn’t have made it through until Tuesday afternoon. They checked on him at work all day Monday, took him to the ballgame Monday night, and camped out on his floor after the game. Without them he would have given in to the overwhelming urge to see Lily.
But with such dedication to the cause, he felt honor-bound to be strong. They wanted to come with him to Lily’s when he was ready to go over late Tuesday afternoon, but Dorcas had been very clear. He had to spend time alone with Daisy.
“Call us if you start to weaken,” Kevin said as Griffin left
the office at four. Miles had a client and couldn’t be part of the bon voyage party. “Think of us as your help line. We’ll talk you down.”
“I can handle this,” Griffin assured him. “I can already tell the spell isn’t as strong, just because I’ve stayed away from her.”
Kevin put a hand on his shoulder. “Yeah, but one romp on that innerspring and all our hard work will be for nothing.”
“She’ll be at work.”
“You’d better hope she’s at work. She could’ve called in sick.” Kevin studied him. “I’m not heartened by your look of excitement when I mentioned that possibility.”
Instantly Griffin wiped the smile of anticipation from his face. His friends had put themselves through plenty of inconvenience so that he could successfully break this spell. Kevin was right. A slip-up now would cancel that noble effort. He couldn’t do that to Miles and Kevin.
“I’ll do what needs to be done.” He met Kevin’s gaze with as much confidence as he could muster. “You can count on that.”
“I am counting on that. I want my buddy back, the one who was in charge of his own destiny.”
“Right.” Making sure Lily’s key was tucked in his pocket next to the jet stone, he walked out of the office. “See ya,” he called back to Kevin.
“Next time we meet, you’ll be a free man!” Kevin called after him.
Griffin kept that thought foremost in his mind as he took a cab over to Lily’s apartment. On the climb up three flights, his heart was pounding, and not from the physical exertion. He wondered if Kevin could be right and she’d called in sick.
He was supposed to hope that she hadn’t. He was supposed to be praying for an apartment that contained only a dog—a dog he needed to break the spell Lily had cast over him. But if she was there for some reason, if he could see her for only a few minutes, if he could only kiss her . . .
Fitting the key in the lock, he opened the door and knew immediately that Lily wasn’t there. But Daisy was, and she danced and carried on as if he’d been gone a week. It felt like a week, maybe two.
Disappointment at Lily’s absence made his knees buckle and he dropped to the floor and wrapped his arms around Daisy. “I need her so much,” he said, his voice choked with emotion. “Daisy, I really, really need her.”
But then, as he clung to the dog, a strange thing began to happen. He could feel the debilitating urge to be with Lily start to ease. Although he still longed for her to come through the door, he wasn’t quite as desperate for that to happen.
His cell phone, which he’d clipped to his belt, sounded Kevin’s ring tone. Releasing Daisy, Griffin unclipped the phone and answered it. “I’m here.”
“Is she?”
“No.”
“That’s good, Griff. That’s really, really good. I was scared that she’d be there, and you’re still a little shaky.”
“Not so much now that I’m with the dog.” Griffin stood and looked around the apartment. First he’d take Daisy on a long walk that would include the dog park. Then they might watch some TV together. For the first time since Lily had given him the elixir, he had hope that he could break the spell. “Yeah,” he said to Kevin. “This is going to be okay.”
Chapter 28
When Kevin and Miles walked into the Bubbling Cauldron at happy hour without Griffin, Lily was disappointed but not surprised. She was dying for information about him, but she had to play it cool and not let her anxiety show.
She walked over to their table, as always. “Hey, guys! You seem to be missing someone tonight.”
Kevin shrugged. “You know that guy. He has a million irons in the fire. He wasn’t available to drink with the peons.”
“Yeah,” Miles said. “But we weren’t about to miss happy hour on account of him being too busy. So here we are.”
“Well, that’s great.” Lily gave them her best bartender smile. “What will you have?”
“I’m going to start out with a draft,” Kevin said. “I’m in the mood for some onion rings, too. It’s been a long week.”
Lily gazed at him. “It’s only Tuesday.”
“You’re kidding! It feels like Friday already.”
Lily knew exactly what Kevin meant. Monday had been the longest day of her life, and Tuesday had dragged by, too, until she’d come to work. Then she’d spent every spare moment staring at the door to see if Griffin might show up.
Well, he hadn’t, and she would love to know where he was. She didn’t think these guys were going to tell her. “Miles, what about you? What can I get for you?”
“I’ll take a draft, too,” he said. “And some garlic fries. I’m not likely to be kissing anyone tonight, so I might as well indulge myself.”
“Excellent. Coming right up, gentlemen.” She had the ignoble thought that if they’d switch to hard liquor, she could double up the shots and maybe loosen their tongues. But as long as they stuck with beer, she couldn’t do anything except drop broad hints.
“I hope Griffin’s not still hungover from the engagement party on Sunday night,” she said about two hours later as she delivered the third round of beer and two hot pastrami sandwiches.
“Nope,” Kevin said. “He’s arrived at the office right on time both mornings.”
Lily balanced the tray on her hip. “I suppose he had a meeting with a client that ran late.”
“Not exactly.” Miles wrapped his hands around half of his pastrami sandwich. “But he did have some business to take care of.” He bit into the fragrant sandwich.
“He’s dedicated, all right,” Lily said.
Kevin nodded. “One of the most dedicated lawyers I know. But I guess we’re all kind of like that. I mean, Miles and me, we’d do about anything for that guy.”
“It’s nice to have friends like that. Well, let me know if you need anything else.”
As she walked back to the bar a thought hit her. Miles and Kevin were spending more time than usual in the bar tonight, and yet they didn’t have their good buddy here with them. Why were they staying so long? She could only think of one reason. They were here to keep an eye on her, in case she decided to go somewhere. And where would she go that might somehow be connected with Griffin, that might somehow endanger whatever plan was in place?
Her own apartment.
It made perfect sense. Griffin would want to stay away from her when there was any chance they’d end up in bed together. But now when she was at work, he could set up whatever counterspell Dorcas and Ambrose had suggested. He had a key.
While she was willing to allow him some leeway in his attempts to break the spell, she wasn’t comfortable with him invading her space to do it. She had some special things there, like her crystal ball, her wands, her books, her herbs. Surely Dorcas and Ambrose wouldn’t recommend that he destroy or steal any of those things, but she didn’t know them well. She couldn’t be absolutely sure the counterspell wouldn’t involve messing with her stuff.
She might be able to get Sherman to cover for her while she went home to check on things, but then Kevin and Miles would probably alert Griffin with a call to his cell. For now she’d have to wait them out and hope they weren’t planning to stay until the end of her shift.
An hour later, they finally settled their bill and left. Business had slowed down, so Sherman was willing to hold the fort for an hour so she could run home. She made an excuse that Daisy hadn’t been feeling well, which was true.
She was set to head out the front door when she paused. What if Kevin and Miles had moved their surveillance operation to the restaurant and bar across the street? That place had window tables with a good view of the Bubbling Cauldron.
She waited until Sherman was too busy to notice before ducking into the hallway and going out the back door into the alley. Better safe than sorry.
On the bus ride home, she tried to talk herself out of this bout of paranoia. She’d probably get home and discover nothing but a morose Daisy waiting for her. Just because Griffin wasn’t at the Bubbling Caul
dron didn’t mean he was skulking around her apartment. Maybe he’d finally decided to make good on that dinner invitation to Debbie.
Now, there was an unhelpful thought, imagining Griffin with another woman. Lily ground a little enamel off her back molars thinking about it. Griffin had every right to date someone else, of course. Everything he’d said to her had been under the spell, so it didn’t count.
Sad to say, she hadn’t convinced her heart that his devotion was bogus. Her heart wanted to believe that Griffin was committed to her and her alone. She’d have to have another stern conversation with her silly heart.
A million butterflies had taken up residence in her tummy by the time she stepped off the bus at her stop. Despite all her arguments with herself, she believed that Griffin would be in her apartment when she opened the door. She could weave a fantasy and pretend that he’d come back because he wanted to welcome her home at the end of her shift. But she didn’t think that was his reason.
She climbed the stairs softly, not wanting to announce herself. By the time she reached her door her heartbeat thrummed in her ears, making it hard to hear.
But even so, a familiar sound filtered through the door. Her TV was on.
She supposed Daisy was capable of pushing the button on the remote, but Daisy had never shown the slightest interest in TV. That left Griffin as the obvious TV watcher. Maybe he really had decided to hang out here and wait for her to come home. Maybe he’d been unsuccessful at breaking the spell and was ready to spend another night in her bed.
Although she shouldn’t be happy about that possibility, she was. A girl could only be so noble before cracking, and without Griffin in her life she was coming apart. She could be forgiven for wanting one more night in his arms.
Her hands shook as she fit the key in the lock. With the TV on, Griffin probably wouldn’t hear her doing it. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door.
Griffin’s expression told her he hadn’t expected to see her. There was no smile of welcome, only shock that they were face-to-face. Daisy simply looked guilty. She was sprawled on the couch, a place Lily didn’t allow her to be, with her head in Griffin’s lap.
Chick with a Charm: A Babes on Brooms Novel Page 27
