“About that,” Zoey said to her. “I never apologized for thinking that you’d shoplifted the jewelry. I’m really sorry.” She was wearing a bracelet that Cin had made for her.
Cin managed a wry smile. “Why would you think anything else of me?”
“Cin, no. You’ve got to value yourself more than that. You should have told me off, and I would have deserved it.”
“It’s no big deal.”
After Cin left, Zoey nudged Danielle with her elbow. “Go on. Your turn to complain. Everyone else is miserable.”
Danielle stood up. “Nah. Arturo’s chef, Tony, taught me how he makes coffee. In case you haven’t noticed, this particular variety is the nectar of the gods. So, I’m actually in a good mood for the moment.”
“The hell you say.” Zoey bugged her eyes wide open in fake astonishment.
“God’s honest truth. Now, when I leave here and no longer have access to the imported coffee beans and the bomb-ass coffee maker, you can expect to hear weeping and wailing from morning to night. So prepare yourself.”
“When you talk about the bomb-ass coffee maker, are you referring to Tony, or the equipment?” Zoey asked, pinning her friend with a questioning gaxe.
“Shut up, that’s what. Now I need more coffee, and Tony promised he’d teach me his mother’s secret recipe for espresso. Oh damn, I’ve said too much. I’m leaving, I’m leaving!” And Danielle got up and ran out of the room.
After Danielle left, Zoey, restless, began wandering the grounds, instinctively drawn to flowers and plants that were drooping. They perked up as she trailed her fingers over them. Yay. At least she was able to make something feel better today.
A patter of footsteps crunching on gravel made her spin around defensively. Giuliana was coming her way. As ever, she was dripping in Versace and Prada, and her pretty face was pinched in a scowl.
“Oh, hold on.” Zoey reached in her pocket and pulled out a canister of pepper spray. She smiled at Giuliana without warmth. “Now we’re good.”
“That was hilarious. So funny. I nearly died.” Giuliana said in a flat voice.
Zoey turned down a side path and kept walking. Giuliana caught up with her.
“Thank you for not telling on me,” she said grudgingly.
“Whatever.” Zoey shrugged. She wasn’t going to tattle on Giuliana, but she also hadn’t forgotten Giuliana’s attempts to bully and threaten her.
“Dominic asked me how I knew you were a map witch. I lied and said that I have the same magic sensing abilities as my uncle.”
Zoey sighed and walked faster, but Giuliana stayed right by her side. She shot her an annoyed look. “I am not going to tell on you. And we both know you don’t like me, so this isn’t a social visit. What do you want?”
“You’re ignoring Dominic.,” Giuliana said, sounding aggrieved. “It’s been three days. His wolf is going crazy.”
“Huh. I remember some crazy wolf bitch stalking me and threatening me to stay away from Dominic. Oh wait, that was you,” Zoey said, exasperated. “And now you’re pushing me towards him? I thought you wanted him for yourself.”
“You thought I wanted him?” Giuliana looked appalled. “Ew. He’s super old. He’s, like 35 or something. I mean, not as bad as the other people my uncle was thinking of pawning me off to, but still, definitely not my dream wolf. I threw myself a little party when I found out I didn’t have to be his mate.”
Zoey stopped walking and stared at her, baffled. “Then what was your problem with him choosing me as a mate?”
“I thought you bewitched him or something.”
“You thought I bewitched him? Why? How?”
Giuliana lifted her narrow shoulder in an uneasy shrug. “You have magic. I can smell it on you. Some kind of witch’s charm. And lots of women would give their right tit to be aCapo’s mate.”
“But his wolf moon-bit me.”
Giuliana looked away. “Yeah. I guess I didn’t believe it was real.”
“Why not?” Zoey said indignantly.
Giuliana shrugged. “No reason.”
