Page 14 of Flirty Fall Fling

“Spoken like a true curse,” she mutters.

“Speaking of, I have one of those I’d like removed. If you can’t, maybe you can refer me to a friend.”

She grabs two more avocados and a couple of yellow onions. “I can. I’m not sure if I want to.”

Someone rounds the endcap and speaks to Blaire. She smiles sweetly, taking a step away from me.

A moment later, she’s unzipping her shoulder bag and handing me a business card with gold lettering across the top that says Charmed Cauldron. Under it is her name, along with payment information for wire transfers, like this is normal.

“Generational witch. Nice touch.” I tap it against my fingers.

“When this is over, I want you to promise to leave a glowing, detailed review for my shop.”

“And if it doesn’t work?”

“It will.” She says it like it’s already written in the stars.

“You have a deal,” I say.

I hold out my hand, knowing I have absolutely nothing to lose. And truthfully, I want to see what happens.

Do I think she can break this curse? I don’t know.

Do I want to watch her try? Fuck yes.

We shake on it. Her grip is strong, but her fingers are cold.

“Meet me at the shop tomorrow night at seven o’clock. And don’t be late. If you are, I will leave and charge you for one hour of time.” She continues placing things in her basket.

“You’ll sign an NDA if we’re spending this much time together,” I tell her as we reach the end of the row.

“Why would I need to do that?” She stops to browse the shelves of wine.

“I can never be too careful,” I admit, reaching for the last bottle on the shelf at the same time she does. A black cat arches its back across the label that says Little Black Cat Wine.

“That one’s mine,” she says, though she doesn’t take it. “It’s my favorite. They can never keep it in stock.”

“After you.” I hold the bottle out to her.

She pushes it back toward me. “Try it. Then tell me your thoughts.”

I set it in my basket. “Thanks.”

“When we’re together, you’ll give me your undivided attention. You get out of it what you put in.”

“Understood.”

Our arms accidentally brush together, and she moves away from me.

“And stay out of my space,” she whispers.

“Will it upset your boyfriend?”

“No. I have boundaries with my clients.” She keeps her armor up.

“So, there is a boyfriend?”

“My relationship status is none of your business. Anyway, see you tomorrow.” She turns her cart toward the registers. “Oh, come on.”