Jo gave an easy shrug. “What kind of gentleman would I be if I allowed a lady to pay?”
I wasn’t sure what to think as I watched him sign the receipt. He’d been so awful to me at first, painting me as a villain, but he had also just paid for our lunch. My head ached from trying to figure him out.
“Thanks.”
He flashed a quick smile. “No problem.”
We packed up our leftovers and headed for the door. Jo surprised me once again by holding the door open for me. It was nice, but when he followed me all the way to my car, I got irritated.
“Are you going to follow me back to the shop, too?”
The barb slipped out before I could stop it. I felt instant regret, especially when the briefest hint of hurt showed on his face.
“Just making sure you’re safe. Then again, I might be taking down your plate number.”
He took out a small notebook and scribbled something on it. For a heart-stopping moment, I thought he really was taking down my plate number. But then he tore out the page and handed it to me.
“That’s my number. I forgot to give it to you in the restaurant. That’s why I followed you. Just…call me if you need anything, okay?”
It was a surprisingly touching gesture. Keeping my eyes down, I gave a gruff apology as I pocketed the paper. I met his eyes but found I couldn’t look at him for long.
“I’m not really sure what to think about you, Jo. Do you hate me or not?”
I looked back up at him, my nerves taut. His eyes twinkled as he rubbed his chin, pretending to be deep in thought.
“I’m still deciding.”
With that, he gave a tiny wave and headed to his own car. My heart thudded against my chest as I stood and watched him go. What had he meant by that?
Jade was waiting outside the shop when I got back. She gave what sounded like a cheerful meow as I unlocked the door and removed the “Back Soon” sign.
“Nice to see you too, missy.”
She settled herself on the front countertop while I flicked the lights back on.
Where were you? You normally live at this place.
“I had a lunch appointment.”
It felt weird, trying to avoid a cat’s eyes, but I felt her watching me all the same.
Who? Maria?
I cleared my throat. “No. It was Jo, that investigator guy.”
Jade stood up on her legs, her back arching as she hissed. What part of ‘stay away from him’ did you not understand?
I whirled around to face her. “Come on, Jade. He’s not all that bad.”
Says the mouse before the cat gobbles it up.
Snorting, I shook my head. “Why do you think he’s so bad?”
He just is! I can’t believe you went on a date with him!
“It was not a date, Jade. I took him to lunch to try to clear my name, but…”
I trailed off. When did my opinion of Jo change? He’d made it clear that he still suspected me, but I wondered how much he really meant it now. I knew my attempts to clear my name were pathetic at best, but he’d paid for my lunch. He’d given me his number.
But what?
With an irritable shrug, I walked to the back room to get some more bath bombs. Jade followed me, jumping up onto the worktable while I rummaged around.
He’s bad news, Sage.
I glared up at Jade, my jaw tight.
“I’m twenty-six years old. I think I can figure out the wrong type of people for myself, thanks.”
Jade turned her back to me, then leapt lightly down onto the floor. I debated arguing with her, asking her why she had such a grudge against Jo, but the bell rang just at that moment.
After a surprising amount of afternoon customers, I closed up shop at five. I’d even had a few witch customers requesting items from the apothecary.
A light wind sprang up around me as Jade and I left the shop and walked towards home. I pulled my coat more tightly against the cold. The chill in the air had been increasing the last few days, making me glad that Grandma’s house was so close to the shop.
My heart began to thud as I walked up the porch steps to the front door. A large, rectangular package rested on the welcome mat, even though I hadn’t ordered anything recently. I stopped in my tracks, unwilling to go near it. Jade, who must have been feeling intrepid, approached the box and sniffed.
“Can you…smell anything on it?”
