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“Why do you care? You’re not in love with him or anything silly like that, are you?”
Her breath caught in her throat as the realization swept over her.
“I… I…”
Fortunately Flora didn’t wait for a response.
“Then I suppose you’d better go see Gladys.”
“Gladys?” she repeated, still dazed by the previous question.
“You know. Resident witch. Stubborn as all get out.” Flora hopped down from the wall. “Now hurry up. Time’s a wastin’.”
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”
“Always happy to help. Even if I am just the town busybody.”
Flora winked at her and was gone before she could even start on an apology. Damn. She should have known better than to say something like that aloud. Although it wouldn’t really surprise her if Flora could read her thoughts.
She continued down the street, thinking about Flora’s suggestion—although it had sounded more like an order. She knew Gladys was one of Flora’s friends but their paths hadn’t really crossed. She’d heard Gladys was a very powerful witch but as far as she could remember, she looked like any other older Southern lady. Then again, Flora didn’t look particularly dangerous either.
At least it gave her a starting point. She checked her phone and decided she didn’t have time to visit the witch right then, but with any luck she could duck out later in the afternoon. She was about to put her phone back in her pocket when she saw a message from Wendy. She’d completely forgotten about her decision to talk to her friend.
Just got back to the restaurant, she texted.Are you coming by?
I have a lot to do today, but I thought I’d bring you some clothing options tomorrow.
She looked down at her skirt and boots, then sighed.
OK.She hesitated, then added,I have a surprise for you.
Oooh. Can’t wait. See you then.
She had a sudden vision of Leo appearing behind Wendy. She had the feeling she was going to be answering a lot of questions.
CHAPTER 8
Leo hovered near the kitchen entrance, watching as Jessica greeted everyone warmly. Whatever her private doubts and fears, she interacted easily with her customers, making each of them feel special. She’d even changed out of what he considered her camouflage into rust colored linen trousers with a matching vest over a full-sleeved cream shirt. Her hair was pulled back into a neat knot but a few wisps had escaped to float around her face and she looked beautiful. Radiant. Alive.
As alive as the tall werewolf approaching her station. He immediately tensed. Eric was the local sheriff and Leo had every reason to believe he was a good male, but that didn’t mean he appreciated the warm smile he bestowed on Jessica. Or the fact that she returned it.
“Your table is ready, Sheriff, and your date is already seated. She seemed a little… bothered that you weren’t here to meet her so I gave her a glass of champagne on the house.”
“Was she rude to you?” Eric demanded.
“No. Well, just a little,” she added when he raised a brow. “But I think she thought she’d been stood up.”
“You can’t stand someone up when you didn’t make the date to begin with,” Eric muttered. He leaned closer, close enough that Leo couldn’t hear what he said, but Jessica’s laughter rang out, clear and melodious, even as she shook her head.
A knot formed in Leo’s stomach. The way she looked at Eric, with genuine warmth and interest, sent a bolt of jealousy through him.
“All right,” she said. “But don’t make it a habit.”
Make what a habit? Was she already expecting to see Eric again? He also didn’t like the way her eyes followed the werewolf as he went to join his date, a striking blonde. A few minutes later, Jessica approached the table where the blonde was now practically rubbing herself against the sheriff.
Once again Leo couldn’t hear what she said, but Eric sprang to his feet, muttering a hasty excuse to his date. However, instead of leaving, he ducked into the restaurant office as soon as he was out of sight of the table. Minutes crawled by. Jessica resumed her duties, paying no attention to Eric’s presence in her office. What could he be doing in there?
Suddenly, the blonde woman stood up, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. She stormed out of the restaurant, her heels clicking angrily on the hardwood as heads turned to watch her dramatic exit. A few minutes later the office door opened, and Eric emerged. He made a beeline for Jessica, leaning down to whisper something to her. She threw her head back, laughing, and the sound pierced his heart like a dagger.
