Only one way to find out. I opened the message.
“How is Candice doing? Does she need me by her side? Rick”
I blinked at the screen. Then I blinked again.
“Show me.” Cosmo peered at it and broke into his equivalent of laughter.
I giggled. “Unreal.”
“What are you going to do?”
My thumbs hovered over the keyboard. Then I put down the phone. “Nothing, for now.”
Cosmo rewarded my resolve with a slow blink. “You are learning.”
At theBlue Moon, Ange dragged me to a corner table. A few regulars enjoyed a beer at the bar and exchanged jokes with the bartender, Phil, although it was clear their real focus was his sister Pilar, who popped in and out of sight with large plates of food for the dining clientele.
In less than an hour, it would be standing room only, when a local band took over the stage. Harper and Reina were firm believers in supporting up and coming talent.
Because this period before the gig counted officially as a lull, they both awaited me too. “I’ve brought the girls up to speed, up to our return this afternoon,” Ange said. “I didn’t want you to miss out on the new revelation.” I’d expected a happy twinkle, or an air of triumph. Instead, my bubbly, effervescent friend had a somber air.
“What is it?” I blurted out.
Ange scanned the crowd.
“We can go up for a bit, if you need more privacy,” Harper said.
“That’s probably better.”
“You go, and I’ll be with you in ten minutes,” Reina said. “Are Poke bowls okay for everyone? We’re trialing a new menu.”
Right on cue, my stomach growled.
“I’ve had a bite with Nick,” Ange said. “So, make mine a small portion.” Her sparkle had returned. Whatever she had to say, it couldn’t be all bad.
Harper and Reina’s apartment above the bar shared a floor with a few guest rooms, but they were currently empty, and the apartment was sound-proofed. It looked out over a colorful yet Zen yard, with a small pond, and the interior was a calming mix of Japanese and American.
Harper brewed decaf coffee while we waited.
I toyed with my phone. I still hadn’t replied to Rick.
Ange tapped me on the hand. “Stop it. I may only be witch-adjacent, but it doesn’t take occult powers to see that you’re itching to check your messages. Don’t. Be present in the moment.”
“I am,” I protested. To prove it, I put the phone aside and helped Harper with laying the bamboo table we’d be dining on.
Reina arrived with four separate bowls. I’d arranged chopsticks, forks, and spoons in a large glass.
“Now, tell us”, she said as she sat cross-legged on a low cushion. We all followed her example. I thought I detected a slight creak in my left knee. Never mind.
Ange picked up a raw fish cube with her chopsticks.
I tried the same with a bit of rice. It slipped out of my chopsticks and I switched to fork and spoon.
Ange swallowed her bite. “This is amazing.”
Harper gave her a nudge. “I’m glad you like it, but we don’t have all night. Reina and I still have a business to run.”
“I’m trying to figure out my story,” Ange said.
