“I tend to agree with you, Emma.” His gaze moved back to Beth. “I don’t believe I caught your name.”
“That’s because I didn’t give it,” she said, then turned away and circled to the driver’s side of the car before climbing in.
My cheeks heated. What the heck was going on with Beth? “Sorry, uh, that’s my best friend, Beth. We, uh, might be in a bit of a hurry this morning.” What else could I say?
“Beth,” he said her name slowly, then smiled before bowing his head a little. “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you both a lot after I move here.”
I laughed, trying not to be awkward again. “Are you sure? You haven’t even gone in the house yet.”
His smile widened. “I’m sure. I’m the kind of man who always goes with his gut, and my gut says this move to Mystic Hollow is what I need.”
Marigold appeared beside him. “Excellent. I can show you all over town, once we do the tour and paperwork—”
“No need,” he said, but then he gave me a little nod again and headed for the house.
Beth barely gave me time to buckle up before she took off down the street. We had to circle the cul-de-sac and come back to get to town. Wade stood there watching us drive by from the porch. Likely waiting for Marigold to unlock the door. I couldn’t be sure, but he might've been laughing at us. Not in a cruel way, but the whole thing was damn confusing.
“What was that about?” I asked, looking at Beth in shock.
“What?” Ohhh, she sounded pissed.
“Did you know that guy or something?”
She shook her head. “It was nothing.”
For sure it was something, but I’d only seen Beth get like this a few times ever. The best thing to do was not to push. She’d tell me what was going on when she was ready to. Instead, I turned up the radio, and we both rolled down the windows, letting the warm air wash over us as we enjoyed the music.
Unfortunately, the drive to Carol’s shop didn’t take long at all, then we pulled into a spot and killed the music. We didn’t say anything as we headed inside, ignoring the bell that jingled over the door. We weaved through the aisles of yarn until we spotted Carol in the back with Bryan. She was giggling, and his face was flushed as he grinned at her. They radiated romance and sexual energy, even though they weren’t touching. Even though there was nothing inappropriate going on, we’d interrupted an intimate moment. Ah, young love.
“Oh, hi, guys,” Carol said, a wide smile on her face.
“Beth and Emma,” the vampire greeted us, trying and failing to hide his smile.
“Are we still on for breakfast?” Beth asked, then smirked. “Or should Emma and I go alone?”
Bryan stood up a little straighter and shook his head. “No, please, don’t let me interrupt your plans. I have more than enough client work waiting for me at the office.”
Carol looked sad for half a second, then Bryan kissed her. “Later, you’re mine.” His voice was low, probably meant only for her, but the shop was too quiet for it not to reach our ears.
Bryan nodded to us both and headed out, but not without looking back at Carol far too many times, his expression full of longing. When the bell jingled over the door once more, I let out a deep breath.
Beside me, Beth whispered, “You and Daniel are just as bad.”
I laughed and elbowed her, then Carol said, “Let me tell Hazel.” She hurried to the back of the shop, and a minute later, Hazel followed her out.
Hazel had been one of Carol’s regular customers when she first opened, from what I’d heard. She was pushing ninety-three, lived close enough to walk here, and knitted and crafted more than Carol. She was also a witch with a way with numbers, and the two women had become close. Now, Hazel worked here, I was pretty sure. At least, she was here every day and covered for Carol whenever she had other things to do. I suspected that it was a relationship of convenience more than anything. Carol said helping her got Hazel out of her house and socializing, and that Hazel had free reign over any products she needed for her projects.
“Hi, Hazel,” I called.
She looked at me, lifting a white brow. “What are you so cheery about?”
I had to hold back a laugh. Hazel was grumpy. Kind but always very grumpy. “Nothing, ma’am.”
“You young people are always smiling without reason,” she muttered, making her way to the front of the store, her long white hair, pulled back into a ponytail, swinging with each of her movements.
Beth leaned closer. “Yeah, young person, stop smiling.”
I half snorted as I tried to hold back my laughter.
