“Nice pocket square,” I said.
Zane smirked and downed his espresso in one gulp. “You like?” He patted the red-and-pink pocket square dotted with tiny hearts. “I wore it for you. Thought it might put a smile on your face.”
I grinned and took another bite of my muffin. “Oh, it puts a smile on my face all right.”
Alfred placed a bowl of oatmeal in front of Zane. “There are fresh blackberries and blueberries this morning. Picked them myself.”
Alfred went back to the stove, loaded his plate, and sat down at the table to join us.
“As much as I like the lull,” Rota said, “it’s weird we haven’t had a case in a while. Usually, if there’s nothing going on here in Mystic Cove, PADA will send you guys out on an undercover assignment.”
Zane swallowed his oatmeal and set down his spoon. “I say we enjoy the quiet while it lasts.”
I slathered a knife full of peanut butter on my muffin. I didn’t believe there was ever such a thing as too much peanut butter. “Zane and I are eating at five o’clock tonight. I have most everything prepared ahead of time. The lava cake will take the longest, and Alfred is going to help me with that. I forgot to get a couple things when I was in town yesterday, so Zane offered to take me in this morning.” I groaned and shook my head. “I also forgot I’m supposed to make Savage some tuna cakes today. Something special for him and Nyxie.”
“If you get behind,” Alfred said, “I can make the tuna cakes for you, Kara.”
“Thank you, Alfred. Hopefully, I can juggle it all.”
Zane waggled his brows at me. “And while Kara is shopping this afternoon, Link and I are picking up a couple last-minute gifts for our girls.”
“What about you, Rota?” I asked. “Anything special on your agenda today?”
“I have to go in to City Hall for a few hours. A mayor’s work is never done.” She smiled at Alfred. “Then I’m coming home, and Alfred and I are going to exchange gifts and have a nice meal in.”
I lifted my coffee cup into the air. “Here’s to a nice, quiet night of good food and romance.”
“Careful, lass,” Link joked. “You’ll jinx us.”
5
“Meet back here in an hour?” I shut the door to the Aston. “Will that give the two of you enough time?”
Zane and Link looked at each other and then nodded.
“See you at two o’clock, Kara,” Zane said.
We parted ways, and I headed down the sidewalk toward the grocery store. Zane had parked along the curb on Main Street, so I only had to walk two blocks. Most of the snow had already melted under the wintry afternoon sun.
Mystic Cove Grocer was busy, which wasn’t a surprise. It was Valentine’s Day, after all. I bypassed the small florist and bakery sections and headed to the side aisles. I still needed a couple ingredients for my meal. I found the aisle I was looking for and started browsing, looking for the specific brand Alfred told me about.
I spotted what I was looking for and went to reach for it…only to bump into the person standing next to me.
“Excuse me.” I reached out to steady the woman and realized I knew her. It was the blonde witch from yesterday. “Mari, right?”
The woman’s eyes widened. “Yes.”
I gave her a small smile. “I saw you yesterday in the alley behind Double Trouble bookstore. You were talking with another witch.”
“Oh, right.”
“Are you making a special dinner for your family tonight?”
“Um…yeah. My husband’s favorite meal.” She laughed softly. “My daughter loves brownies, so I’ll need to get those as well.”
Her phone rang, and she quickly reached inside her purse and pulled out the phone. As she did, a homemade Valentine fluttered to the floor. I reached down to pick it up, and I couldn’t help but read it. “Roses are red, but they eventually die. One thing is certain, secrets don’t lie.”
“Hello? Jayla? Is that you?” Mari looked at me and then at the note in my hand. “What do you need, honey? I’m at the grocery store.” Mari reached out and snatched the note from me, glaring at me. “Yes, of course you can stay for cheerleading practice.” Mari shoved the Valentine inside her purse. “Yes, yes. I’ll be there at five o’clock to pick you up.” She disconnected and shoved the phone inside her purse before turning back to me and giving me a forced smile. “It was nice talking with you, but I need to go.”
