“Theodore’s out toplay tonight,”I murmured to Luna. She leaned forward to look around me as Theodore made his way inside from the balcony seating.
“Who’s that with him?” Luna asked.
A woman, clad almost entirely in pink with a fussy necklace made of some sort of beaded flowers and pearls, followed closely behind Theodore, her nose in the air. She gazed around the room in disdain; as though she was surprised she’d even allowed herself to dine among the common folk. Her closely cropped grey hair resembled a poodle, fresh and fluffy straight from the groomer, and the look on her face suggested she was one of those people whoalwaysasked to speak to a manager.
“Prude Whittier. The spawn’s mother,” I said out of the side of my mouth as Theodore approached us. I knew the moment he saw Luna and me, because his back stiffened, the wave of anger that hit me intensified, and he adjusted his bowtie, a nervous tic he had.
Well, at least I made him nervous.
The rum must have been kicking in, because I leaned back in my chair as they approached. Theodore was forced to stop or else he would have run into my shoulder.
“Theo, my man, great to see you again,” I said cheerfully, Luna’s snort behind me emboldening me.
Theodore grimaced, and my smile widened as Prudie sniffed and looked me up and down, taking in my tattoos and lack of bra. She grimaced in distaste, then looked away over my shoulder, refusing to acknowledge my existence.
“Ms. Rose. Boozing it up as usual, I see,” Theodore said, moving to step forward and pass me.
Nowthatone hurt. I’d been known to enjoy a few cocktails on occasion, but everyone knows that psychics need a clear head to give readings. Three drinks was always my limit and I typically stopped at two.
“Are you implying something?” I asked sweetly.
“Theodore, let’s move on. Away from these…people,” Prudie said, tightening her hold on her tasteful black purse, as though we were going to jump her for her money.
“‘These people’?” Luna asked behind me.
“You know…” Prudie said, making a circular motion with her finger by her head to insinuate that we were clearly lunatics.
“Crazy? What…is it my tattoos or my bright-colored hair that makes you think that, Prudie dear?” I asked, baring my teeth at Prudie. She stiffened, taking a step back.
“While both are regrettable decisions, it’s satanic rituals and psychic powers that I don’t hold with. Now, I must insist you let us pass.”
“Right, you wouldn’t want to be late for your board meeting, would you, Prudie? You look like a board meeting type. Theodore must get that from you. You two love handing out your opinions on things without actually having to do any of the work. I know your type,” I said, surprising even myself with my words.
“Mother, now,” Theodore ordered, grabbing his mother’s arm and bum-rushing her past us as he shot daggers at us with his eyes. I turned around to see Beau shaking his head at me.
“What? Was that bad?”
“God forbid you ever have to apply for a permit or get approval from anyone who sits on a board in this town,” Beau observed.
“I’m sorry. Thatwasbad, I guess. But she just rubs me the wrong way. She wasn’t being particularly nice to us either, what with calling us devil worshippers and all,” I pointed out, annoyed that Beau wasn’t immediately jumping to my defense.
“She was being a royal bitch,” Luna agreed and I let out the breath I had been holding.
“Does that surprise you?” I asked, leaning over to take a mechanical bite of the salad I didn’t really want. I wasn’t surprised to find that my hunger had disappeared after my little spat with Prudie. Conflict typically upsets me and I usually avoid it at all costs.
“No. Not if Theodore is any indication of the type of spawn she produces. Just let it go. We can’t do anything about the fact that they live in New Tequila. I mean, Port Atticus,” Luna said, sticking her nose in the air and sweeping her hair over her shoulder dramatically. Hereffort had the intended effect, and I felt the tension leave my shoulders.
“No, but trust me when I say that if either of them ever sets foot in our shop, they will be promptly removed.” I turned and smacked Luna on the shoulder. “Hey! Maybe that’s a spell you can teach me. A ‘keep snobs away from me at all times’ spell!”
Luna laughed and took a sip of her water.
“If I could bottle that spell we’d all be rich.”
Chapter Seven
A few momentslater,Luna hustled me out of Lucky’s, barely giving me enough time to finish my mojito and wave goodbye to Beau.
“We’ve got work to do. I don’t feel like being up all night tonight. Tomorrow’s going to be a late one,” Luna said as we moved past the line of people waiting for a seat for dinner.
