“Interesting.” I reached out for Aspen, taking him so it would be easier for her to type with both hands. “Well, I guess they’re doing a great job since the neighborhood is ranked so highly. The houses are only going to increase in value.”
“Oh yes, exponentially.” She nodded, attention glued to her phone. “I expect the houses I’m about to list will have intense bidding wars.”
“I wish you’d been able to start a bidding war over number 5, maybe then—”
“Oakley—”
“What? I still can’t believe he was able to get the Wellses’ house.”
Just my luck.
“It’s not like they’re using it.” Hazel sighed, brushing some brunette strands behind her ear and adjusting the lapels of her black crushed velvet blazer. “Besides, we both know how persuasive Atlas can be.”
“As soon as he moves in this week, so will the rest of the neighborhood,” I countered.
No doubt he would happily take on throwing coven soirées in the half glass-encased mansion in his capacity as the new Archon of the Artemis District.
“I’m sure you aren’t too unhappy since he still paid you commission even though you didn’t do much at all.” I tried not to let it sting that they were still so chummy.
“That didn’t hurt.” She slipped the phone into her pocket, putting an arm around Aspen and me. “I adore Atlas. He’s still family even if you aren’t together.”
“I suppose you’re right.”And at least our house is somewhat hidden from view of his, thank Goddess.“I know I shouldn’t grumble. It’s great he wants to be here for Aspen.”
She nudged me in the side with her elbow. “We both know he’s not just here for him.”
“Haze—”
“That’s all I’m saying about it,” she said, throwing her arms up in mock surrender. “Besides, I’m sure you have your hands full already with two other—”
“Shh!” My attention darted around the street. The few witches outside weren’t looking in our direction, but I felt no less seen.
“What if the neighbors hear?” Hazel mocked. “I know the drill, Oakley. Any word on when they’ll be back?”
“They had no idea when I was able to talk to them last week. Hopefully soon.”
We hadn’t really seen each other since our night in the pines—a full moon I couldn’t help but replay in my mind each night when I tried to fall asleep. I wondered if they were thinking about it as well. It hadn’t come up on our call. They’d just checked in, asking how Aspen, Hazel, and I were doing. Things felt a bit up in the air between us with Atlas’s transfer and recent takeover for their undercover operation.
“Going to get some use out of that long-distance talisman I’ve seen you trying to conjure up?” Hazel asked with a waggle of her brows.
I shot her a glare.
She wasn’t supposed to know about that.
I’d been toying with an idea for a long-distance romance package for clients: a small ring light, a toy, flavored lube, one lingerie outfit from the upcoming line, and a talisman that would allow the other person to channel your pleasure. An idea that Lynx’s Empathy had inspired.
Of course, it still needed a few tweaks. Without his innate abilities, I imbued general lust into the talisman, but it didn’t mimic the personalized pleasure being simultaneously felt by your partner, or partners.
I had two of the talismans delivered to them last week to see if he could help me figure it out…
…And maybe secretly because I wanted to give it a test run.
“You’re so nosey.”
She looked down at my chest that was heating, probably splotched red.
It was time to turn the tables. “What aboutyou?”
“What about me?”
