“Oh.” Gaia took in the amounts, noting that the penalties escalated the closer you got to the date of the event. “But Theo’s interests change almost daily. He’s such a bright, inquisitive child, interested in so many different things. Very advanced for his age.”
Biting her lip so she wouldn’t snort in derision, Gigi just managed to keep a straight face. She knew, everyone in the Sanctuary knew, that Theo only liked one thing and one thing only. Anything from the plant family that had a spike, a spine, a thorn or a prickle. “Of course, but you know what every little boy adores and there’s a myriad of things you can do with the theme, the Wild West. Look at these darling little cactus and tumble weed shaped cookies, And these sheriff stars. And who doesn’t love an old fashioned barbeque cookout?”
Gaia nodded slowly. “True. Especially Sergei’s relatives.”
“I even brought along some samples for you to show Theo.” The kid deserved a reward, he’d been no slouch that day at the Library, slowing Hathor’s guards down with his large spiny three corner jacks. Gigi pushing a little purple and white striped box across the kitchen bench towards her cousin.
Gaia looked at the box, her gaze then darting around, checking the bench, searching. “Um, you didn’t bring Canary with you?”
“No.” Gigi’s smile grew broader. “We’re not doing that anymore. Canary’s officially retired.”
“Oh, but…” Gaia eyed the box again, looking wary, yet trying to force a smile of her own. “… what about, you know?”
“No. I don’t know?” Gigi faked a little scowl, acting oblivious.
“Your magic. What if there are side effects?”
Shrugging, Gigi got to her feet. She was so over the lack of trust in her skills, her baking, her magic. Even when her magic went a little askew, it had never hurt anyone in the family. She’d never singed off everyone’s eyebrows at the school talent show like her Tong cousins when they were fourteen. Or made everyone in a ten mile radius lose their sense of smell for a month like Cousin Will, when his homemade car wax potion went wonky twelve years ago.
Cara had thrown an entire wall of knives at Hadleigh and all of Maat’s Warriors, and that hadn’t stopped the Council from approving her move here, and sanctioning a job for her at the Library. And Gigi had never stalked anyone, and woken them up in the small hours of the morning, looming over them, telling them their security sucked and they were low on milk like Darcy, probably yesterday.
And she could go on and on. No one in the family ever dwelt on those past events, bringing them up constantly at every family gathering. And Gigi had officially had enough.
Canary was her constant companion, her bunny buddy. It he wanted to hang out and nibble on a few things in her test kitchen, then he was welcome. But she was done allowing the family to use him as a crutch. They either believed in her, trusted her, or they didn’t.
And like that, the last piece of Gigi’s grand plans to take her Emporiums worldwide clicked into place. She would never be more ready. Her recipes were awesome. Her marketing and branding top notch. Most importantly of all, her products were sinful little treats of awesomeness.
It was well past time she took on the world. She’d been planning her expansion for years now, perhaps too long. She’d been procrastinating, a smally niggle of worry nagging at her - was she good enough to achieve all those grand dreams of hers? And the answer was, yes, damn it.
And she would start in Paris. Already her head whirling with fresh ideas. She would need to find suitable premises, ideally down an historic quirky little laneway. And she would need to staff it. Hmmm, Aunt Daisy had always had a yen for travel. And claimed she loved getting out of the house and working at the Emporium to get away from her five adult children who’d all boomeranged back home. Perhaps Daisy might like even more distance from her progeny? She was garrulous and a natural saleswoman, and would make an excellent store manager.
“Gigi?”
“Sorry.” She gathered her notepad and smiled. “I just realised I have a ton of work that needs my attention.” Even better, all that organisation, it wouldn’t leave any room to think about anything or anyone. “Let me know about Theo’s party. I have to dash and catch Aunt Daisy before she leaves for the day.”
The Transportal meant she was back home within seconds. Racing upstairs to her apartment to leave her notes on Theo’s birthday on the kitchen counter. She’d just turned and taken three steps towards the stairs leading down to the Emporium when a knock sounded on her front door.
Instinctively, she checked out Canary and her bridesmaid dress, engaged in a small tussle on the kitchen bench. Neither seemed concerned. Okay, changing direction Gigi swung the door open. “Oh.” Riordan was standing at the top of the wrought iron stairs. Her cousin looked pale, dark circles beneath her eyes, her long red hair plaited back, dressed in jeans and a too large grey hooded sweatshirt.
“Hey, Gigi, can we talk?”
Immediately Gigi stepped away so Riordan could enter. Poor kid, she looked wrung out. There had never not been a time when Riordan hadn’t been a fixture at the DeWitt household growing up. Her twin sisters, Brynn and Chase, had been close friends with Riordan, Shelby, and Jodie since they could toddle. Getting into mischief but always having each other’s backs.
“Would you like something to drink? Coffee? Tea?”
“Just a water, would be great.”
Filling a glass Gigi handed it over. “Do your brothers know you’ve escaped?” She’d meant it as a joke. Having four over protective older brothers, all police officers, was the bane of Riordan’s existence.
“Zeke’s downstairs in the alley, he walked me over.” Rolling her eyes to the ceiling. “I doubt I’ll be going anywhere ever again without an escort.” Taking a big gulp of water, straightening her shoulders. “I came to tell you how very sorry I am, for everything I did.”
“Take a seat.” Gigi collapsed into one herself, staring at her young cousin, not sure what to say, where to start. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. Maybe.” Unconsciously Riordan reached up to touch her throat, blushing when she realised what she’d done. “The necklace Hathor gave me is in Darcy’s vault but I can still hear it, you know? The family eggheads are gathering, trying to break it’s hold or destroy it. Whatever works.”
“You should talk to Nico.”
“He’s next on my apology tour.”
