by Rose Pressey
The place looked crowded tonight, but perhaps it had slowed down just a smidgen. Dim lights and candles on the tables created a romantic atmosphere.
After being seated at the back table by a window, we placed our orders and had a glass of wine while we waited. Jack was telling me about his upcoming trip to New York for a convention. I tried to focus, but my thoughts were somewhere else.
He took my hand in his. “I’m really going to miss you. I feel uneasy about leaving you here alone. I wish you’d come with me.”
How sweet was he?
“If I didn’t have so many things to do, you know I would gladly go.” Maybe I needed a break. No, there were just too many things to do.
Jack continued talking, but his words seemed muffled. I sensed something around us, a thickness in the air. I wasn’t sure what that something was, but it made the tiny hairs on my arms stand up. A chill slithered down my spine. I looked around to see if someone was watching me, but no one was paying any attention to us. The room felt hot and I worried that I was beginning to transform into a werewolf. What would be the reason? There was no full moon right now and I wasn’t particularly stressed. So it shouldn’t be any issue.
I grabbed my bag and stood from the table. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to the ladies’ room.”
I’d barely made it a couple of steps when everything went black. I fell to the floor with a crash. The next thing I knew, Jack was hovering over me.
He shook me slightly. “Rylie, are you all right? Wake up.”
Someone called out for an ambulance. I opened my eyes.
“I think she needs CPR,” a man called out.
A woman next to Jack said, “She’s awake.”
When I glanced around, the whole room was watching me. People held their forks, glasses, and menus as if they were frozen. I was in the middle of the floor, flat on my back. At least there was no hair covering my skin.
“What happened?” I asked as I tried to sit up.
“You fainted, that’s what happened,” Jack said. “Why don’t you just lie back and the ambulance will be here soon.”
I pushed up even further. “No, I’m fine. Really. I don’t need an ambulance.”
“Rylie, I really think that you should at least let them check it out.”
“He’s right,” the woman said.
If I knew Jack, he wouldn’t let this go. I would probably have to at least let them take a look. Whatever happened to me it was definitely linked to that weird sensation I’d felt. Jack eased me back to the floor.
As I lay there, my attention was drawn to the large window at the front of the restaurant. Outside on the sidewalk the witch was peering in at me. Her eyes glowed in the night like two green beacons. I was frozen. I wanted to scream out. I wanted to tell someone, but yet I just kept staring at her. I hadn’t gotten a chance to tell Jack about her yet, other than pointing her out earlier in the day. He didn’t know that I’d seen her again. I had a feeling she had done this to me. In a blink of the eye she walked away. Just like that she was gone.
“Well, you’re certainly looking better,” Jack said, snapping me back to attention.
Jack might think I looked better, but I still felt that creepy sensation. Just knowing that she had been watching me like that made my whole body shiver. The ambulance arrived and they rushed into the restaurant. I still didn’t think I need to be checked out. Nonetheless, I wobbled out to the van and sat in the back while they checked my vitals.
“Do you think you were hungry?” the male EMT asked.
“Well, I was at a restaurant,” I said.
“We’ll take you to the hospital and they can check you out further.”
I waved my hands. “No, really, I’m fine. It was just that I was hungry and it was hot in there. I know I’m fine.”
“Rylie, I really think you should,” Jack said.
I held my hand up. “I’ll just go home and rest.”
His shook his head. “If you’re sure.”
“I’m positive,” I said, giving a little smile.
Thank goodness Jack didn’t insist. People went back to their tables and the action settled down. The ambulance left and we headed toward my place.
“I’m still not sure you should be walking right now,” Jack said as we strolled along.
“My legs feel fine.”
“And you didn’t get anything to eat,” he said.
“You didn’t either. I feel bad you didn’t get any food. We should have just gone back inside,” I said.
“That wasn’t an option. You do need food though. When we get back to my place I’ll fix something. You can lie down and you’ll feel much better.”
“Thank you,” I said.
He touched my chin with his fingers, tilting my head upward. “I’d do anything for you, Rylie Cruz.”
Chapter 6
How to Date a Witch Rule #6
Don’t ask if her green eye shadow means her skin is turning the same hue.
We’d just turned the corner and were nearing our apartment building when I noticed a couple of women fighting on the sidewalk. Jack and I hurried so that we could break up the argument. That was when I realized that one of the women was Lily. She was fighting with my new customer Gracie, the witch. Jack rushed over and pulled the women off each other. They were still calling each other names, which I wouldn’t repeat.
“What are you two doing?” I yelled. “Why are you out here on the sidewalk fighting?”
That was kind of a silly question. Lily would fight anywhere, anytime, with anyone, at the drop of a hat.
“All right, ladies, calm down.” Jack held up his hands. “Tell us what the problem is.”
“What reason could I possibly have to fight?” Gracie crossed her arms in front of her chest.
“She was sitting here when I walked up,” Lily said.
“What’s the problem with that?” I asked.
“I asked her why she was here and she said it was none of my damn business.” Lily growled at Gracie.
Yeah, that was definitely grounds for fighting as far as Lily was concerned.
“Okay, it’s all over now. Perhaps we should just apologize and move on with our lives,” Jack said.
“I’m not apologizing,” Lily said.
Oh, boy. Lily reached for Gracie again and Jack managed to keep her at bay.
“Just say you’re sorry and she’ll go away,” I whispered to Gracie.
Gracie released a deep breath and finally said, “Sorry.”
It didn’t sound like the most sincere apology, but I would take it. Lily was a different story.
“If my man wasn’t waiting for me, I would totally kick your ass right now,” Lily said.
They lunged for each other again and Jack managed to keep them apart again. This was getting old.
“Lily, Phil is waiting for you. Go find him. Gracie, if you want to remain a customer of mine, you’ll calm down.”
She looked shocked that I’d said something like that, but it was the truth. I couldn’t have this kind of distraction for my business. Plus, how could I recommend a date for her when she had a temper like that? It was like Lily Number Two. What would I tell the guy? Oh, she’s really cute, but don’t make her mad, she’ll claw your eyes out.
“Why did you come by?” I asked Gracie.
Lily finally walked away. She glanced over her shoulder a few times though. I tried to ignore her.
“I just came by to see if you had a date for me yet,” Gracie said.
I exchanged a look with Jack. “Not yet, Gracie. You just came in. I haven’t had a chance, but I’ll get on it first thing in the morning.”
She sighed. “All right. I’ll be back in the morning.” She turned around and walked away.
“What is that all about?” Jack asked.
“She wants me to find her date, but it’s been less than twenty-four hours.”
“Some people are just really impatient,” he said.
He could say
that again. Jack and I walked in the building and headed up to his apartment. I felt perfectly fine now, but I hoped I didn’t have another incident like the one at the restaurant.
Jack unlocked his door. “You just relax for the rest of the evening. Don’t worry about that customer or anything. I’m going to make us some great food and you can get some rest.”
“That sounds wonderful. I’ll just pop in and tell Jennifer real quick.” I gestured.
He studied my face, and then said, “I’ll be waiting. Don’t be too long.”
An ear-piercing scream caught me by surprise. I screamed too before finally realizing that it was Jennifer. Jack and I raced for my apartment door. When I tried the knob it was locked, so I had to fumble with my key. Why did I have so much junk in my purse? Did I really need matches? I didn’t even smoke. With a shaky hand, I shoved the key into the lock. When I heard the click I pushed the door open. My heart was racing.
“Let me go first,” Jack said.
I allowed him to go first, but I was right behind him. I had to get to Jennifer. Jack raced to the apartment, down the hallway, and to her bedroom door. Just as we reached it, Jennifer burst out. Her eyes were wide and her face panicked. She didn’t stop at first when she saw us. She screamed the whole time. I thought maybe she was going run right out of the apartment. I had no idea what was wrong. Had someone broken in?
I rushed over to her and grabbed her by the arms. “Jennifer, it’s me. Everything’s fine. You can calm down now. Tell me what’s wrong.”
“There was someone in the house,” she said breathlessly.
“In your bedroom?” I asked.
“Yes, in the bedroom.” She pointed.
Jack ran back to the bedroom. I didn’t know whether to stay put or to go down the hallway too. If I didn’t know where this person was, it was hard to know where to go to get away.
“What happened to the person?” I asked.
Jennifer wrapped her arms in front of her chest. “I don’t know. One minute she was there and the next she was gone.”
“She?”
“She had glowing green eyes. It was awful, Rylie.”
My heart sank. “Oh, my gosh. The witch. She was in our apartment.”
Jack came back over. “I can’t find anyone. I checked Jennifer’s room and your room. Plus the bathroom, kitchen, and the closets. There was no one here.”
I would say that maybe Jennifer had imagined it, but I believed her. The witch had gotten in here somehow. I wasn’t sure how.
“Hey, what’s the stuff on the ground?” Jack asked.
I went over and looked down to the spot where he pointed. “What is that stuff?”
It was some sort of powdery substance. I followed the trail. It went all along the baseboards throughout the entire apartment.
“This wasn’t here before. I bet the witch left it. I bet it’s some sort of magic that she’s trying to cast against us. We have to get rid of it.”
“Do we burn the building down?” Jennifer asked.
“That’s a bit dramatic. I’ll get the vacuum cleaner.” I grabbed it from the closet and started vacuuming along the edges of the baseboards. The witch had really covered every spot in the apartment. When I finally finished, I had to get rid of the bag with the contents.
“I’ll take this down to the Dumpster and dispose of it before the witch has a chance to cast any more magic against us.”
Unfortunately, before I had a chance to even get to the door, I fell and dropped the bag. Now the contents were all over the floor again and I was lying in them.
“This cannot be good,” Jennifer said.
“Rylie, are you all right?” Jack helped me up. He picked up the vacuum cleaner and started to clean up all over again. Once he finished, he said, “How about I take this out?”
I agreed, since I really didn’t want to go out in the dark with that witch hanging around anyway.
After Jack walked out of the apartment, Jennifer asked, “What kind of magic do you think she was trying to cast?”
“I don’t know. I wonder if any of the books mentioned what the powder was for?”
“Well, we could look it up,” she said.
Just then Jack walked back in. “I got rid of it, but I’m staying here with you ladies tonight. I’ll make us all dinner and we can try to relax. If anyone comes back I’ll take care of it.”
“Thanks, Jack,” Jennifer said.
I gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you.”
“Wait until after you eat my food before you thank me. You might not thank me then.”
“Oh, it can’t be that bad,” Jennifer said.
“Jack’s a great cook. I don’t know what he’s talking about. He makes the best macaroni and cheese ever.”
“Yeah, straight from the box,” he said. “You two just go sit down and I’ll make dinner.”
Jennifer and I collapsed onto the sofa. She didn’t even turn on the TV. Jack was banging dishes, pots, and pans in the kitchen. I had no idea what he was doing in there, but he finished.
“Dinner is served.” He escorted us over to the dining room table.
Jack had made chicken and vegetables. It all looked delicious. After dinner, Jennifer went to bed. She left the door open just in case she needed to escape quickly. Jack and I went to my room. I hoped that the witch didn’t return. For the longest time I lay awake in Jack’s arms, staring up at the ceiling and listening for any sounds. I worried about how the witch had gotten in and exactly what that spell was for. I hoped the fact that I had been swimming in the powder didn’t mean that I would have a spell doubly bad. Finally, I drifted off to sleep with no sign of the witch returning.
Chapter 7
How to Date a Witch Rule #7
A new cauldron would make a lovely gift
It was next morning and I’d already arrived in my office, ready for work. I had to find Gracie a date because apparently according to her, she was going to be here within the hour to see who I’d found. The bad part was I hadn’t found any prospects for her. As I searched through my files, I couldn’t help but think about the dream that I’d had last night. There was an old witch after me. She clutched me with her powerful arms so tight that I struggled to breathe. I kicked and tried to scream as she pulled me into a wooded area. I’d woken up with my heart pounding and covered in sweat. I had to force that out of my mind now though because I had work to do.
A soft tap came at the door. I was almost afraid to ask who it was, but I did anyway. The only person other than Gracie who might pay me a visit was Jennifer. I breathed a sigh of relief when Jennifer who peeked in.
“Oh, come on in.” I waved.
Thank goodness it was her and not Gracie. I needed more time to search for a date for Gracie. Was it possible that now I had another Lily on my hands? Jennifer sat in the chair in front of my desk.
“I didn’t get a chance to talk to you much last night. How was your date?”
I gave her a strange look.
Jennifer frowned. “I don’t like the looks of that. What happened?”
“Okay, don’t freak out, but I kind of fainted.”
“You kind of fainted?” she said in a slightly panicked tone.
“Okay, I did faint, but I didn’t…”
“I don’t even know what that means.” Jennifer sat up straight in the chair.
“It was the witch. I saw her at the restaurant. When I got up from the table it was almost as if something came over me. The next thing I knew I was on the floor.”
“And then what happened?” Jennifer asked.
“The ambulance came and checked me out. Everyone was staring, so that was embarrassing.”
“Anything else?”
“Nope. We came home after that and I feel fine now.”
“You should go to the doctor,” she said.
“If it happens again I definitely will, but I’m fine. It was something the witch did.”
“What do you think about this witch?”
/> “I don’t know what to think, and to top it off, I have this crazy witch Gracie wanting me to find her a date right now. Where am I going to find a witch for her to date? She wants him to be tall, handsome, and really good with his magic.”
“I bet she does.” Jennifer smirked. “Hey, I know a guy. He’s a witch.”
“Really?” I said. “Is he good-looking?”
“He’s okay.”
“Good enough. Where do I find him?” I asked.
“He just started the haunted tour. It’s just a hobby. He’s an anthropology professor during the day.”
“Oh, this sounds promising. I knew I could count on you,” I said. “I guess I have to go talk to him.”
Just then my phone rang again. I looked down and saw it was Gracie. She was probably on her way over. Maybe she was standing right outside like she had before, which was more than a little creepy.
I groaned. “It’s her again. I’m not even answering until I have something to tell her, which I hope will be soon if I go check out the guy. Will that be okay?”
“So she’s a little bit crazy? Do you really think you should fix her up with this guy?”
“I’m not sure. What’s his mental status?”
“He seems fairly sane,” Jennifer said.
“Fairly? Hmm.” I tapped my fingers against the desk. “It would have been better if he was slightly wacky, but I guess that’s good enough. And you say he’s single?”
“Yes. As far as I know he is available.”
I clapped my hands together. “Okay, he sounds perfect. I’ll check him out, but I think I need you to come with me.”
“Why do you need me?” Jennifer fidgeted in the chair.
“He’ll probably think I’m insane for asking him to date some random woman.”
“Well, we’re not exactly friends or anything.”
“He would recognize you, right?” I asked.
“I think so.” She nodded.
“So after work we’ll meet back here and then we’ll walk over to the tour. How does that sound?”
“Afterwards we can we get some dinner?” Jennifer still sounded a little uncertain. She was the one who’d recommended this guy. It was too late to back out now.
