Color bloomed across Clarice’s face. “I’d like that,” she murmured. “A lot.”
Bruno knew that the butterflies in his chest were metaphorical. Anticipation. Optimism. HelikedClarice, and instinct suggested that they could be amazing together.
“You’ll need my number,” Clarice said, flustered. “Oh, you have my card.”
“I’ll give you my number,” Bruno offered, and she put it in her phone. “So you don’t think it’s a telemarketer.”
“Or one of those loaded political polls,” Clarice agreed.
“They are so biased,” Bruno said inanely.
“I’m sorry the house didn’t work out,” Clarice said, not sounding sorry.
“Just for now,” Bruno said. “Good things come to those who wait.”
“Saturday,” Clarice squeaked. “I’m definitely waiting for Saturday.”
“Does that make me a good thing?”
“Well, you don’t seem like abadthing.”
Bruno glanced at his phone. “I have an appointment,” he said regretfully. It wasn’t like they could have a decent conversation in the realty office anyway. He was too aware of Veronica’s closed door.
“Thanks! Have a good day! Enjoy the weather!”
Bruno paused at the door and looked back. Clarice was still standing, smiling like the sun, her arms wrapped around herself nervously. She gave a sheepish wave and sat down at her desk as Bruno left.
Now, he just had to find a babysitter.
A babysitter who would take a rowdy five-year-old boy who shifted into an armadillo when he got scared.
15
CLARICE
Clarice desperately wished she had someone to squeal with. She longed to have a girlfriend that she could text suggestive eggplant emojis with—someone with fashion sense who could advise her on shoes and hair and remind her to buy condoms and make her wear a shirt that showed more cleavage than she would actually be comfortable with. She even considered telling her sisters, but stopped herself. They would only worry for her and remind her about all of her prior mistakes.
This wasn’t a mistake.
She had adate.
Not only did she have a date, she had a date withBruno, who was hot and nice and possibly also awizard,since his son was at Tiny Paws and maybe (probably) could teleport. Warlock. Witch. Whatever. What would he think of Veronica’s wilder theories?
He was apsychiatrist. He’d probably have an explanation about Veronica trying to compensate for some early childhood disappointment with crazy conspiracies. He was too down-to-earth to be magical. And his little boy seemedcute and nice, even if he did sneak into cars without his clothes.
Clarice could feel her heart pound faster in her chest. What was she thinking? Dating a single dad? Thinking he might possibly be interested in her? She’d always been the dumpy one in her friend circles, watching everyone else pair up while she got the pity dates.
The phone rang and Clarice startled. She was going to worry herself into a psych case for him if she wasn’t careful. “Chase Realty. This is Clarice!” She forced herself to sound sunny and slow down.
Veronica appeared from her office just before lunch and Clarice greeted her with all the messages that hadn’t been worth interrupting her. “The home inspector sent over the document for the Maple Lane property; it’s in your inbox. I have the updated paperwork from Montana Mutual for the Smith-Jenson file. You have a notification from the stable about a boarding rate increase. You got reminders for your salon appointment tomorrow and your flight itinerary for your trip to Las Vegas was changed. I checked and it was only a five minute change, so I didn’t have to adjust anything else.”
“Did I hear Bruno Martin come in?” Veronica asked with a sly smile.
Clarice flushed. “Yes. Unfortunately, he has decided to postpone house shopping for understandable financial reasons. He’ll keep us in mind when he’s ready to buy.” She tried to keep her voice perfectly even and probably failed.
“He’sreallygood looking,” Veronica said, playing with the branded pens in the cup on the counter. “Don’t you think?”
“We have a date Saturday night!” Clarice blurted. “I can’t believe it!”
