Page 27 of The Little Shop of Curiosities Cursed Object 1, The Music Box

Eyes narrowed slightly, I stare at him, my fingers absently tapping out a restless beat against the pages of the book laid open in my lap. “Why are you here?”

“I wanted to say thank you,” Tristan replies with a small smile.

“You have already,” I point out.

“Yes, I know, but…when I was here last week, everything was so crazy, and I feel like I didn’t properly convey how much I appreciated your help. I don’t know how Dusty and I would have been able to separate ourselves if it hadn’t been for you.”

“I told you, it’s fine.” I pick up my book again, hoping he’ll go away. I’m really not feeling very sociable today. My mind is still too full of thinking about everything that’s happened recently. However, instead of taking the hint, he steps closer. I huff in annoyance and put my book down once more. “What now? Did you want to purchase an athame?” I nod towards the ceremonial knife he’d been looking at earlier. “A scrying bowl? A spell?”

“No,” he says mildly. “I wanted to say thank you properly. I’d like to take you to dinner. Not like a date or anything,” he adds quickly when one of my brows quirks. “I mean, with me and my boyfriend Danny. He’ll be there too, and you can meet him.”

“Why would I want to do that?”

“Because although Danny doesn’t technically know about the whole body-swap slash body mash-up debacle at the moment, I don’t want to keep this part of my life secret from him, and that includes the people who are a part of it.”

I stare at him in confusion. “I’m not a part of your life though. We’re not friends.”

“But we could be.” It may be my imagination, but he seems a little nervous when he says that. “Friends, I mean. I’d like to get to know you. You’re the first real witch I’ve ever come across. I didn’t even think magic was real, but the lightning thing I saw you do with your hands”—I roll my eyes when he lifts his hands and wriggles his fingers in a frankly ridiculous manner—“I think you’re fascinating.”

My back stiffens and my shoulders tense. “I’m not some specimen or side-show curiosity to be ogled.”

“That’s not what I meant.” He rubs his forehead and takes another deep breath. “I’m not very good at this, as you can probably tell. Look, I want to say thank you. I appreciate what you did for me. I thought dinner would be nice. I could introduce you to Danny, and maybe we could get to know each other and be friends. Really, that’s it. I honestly don’t have any ulterior motive.”

Part of me doesn’t know what to do with his invitation, but the other part of me yearns to accept. It’s probably not a good idea. I came to London for a specific reason, and I don’t want to get distracted.

“Thank you, but I don’t need any friends,” I say as politely as possible.

“Harrison,” he says softly. “May I call you Harrison?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“You always have a choice.” He chuckles. “Would you like to come to dinner with me and Danny? Our treat. It’s not just a thank-you for saving my arse, but I genuinely want to talk to you.”

I experience that strange tug inside me again, some long-forgotten instinct. A feeling that I’m supposed to know this curious man somehow.

I sigh. “Are you going to keep hounding me until I agree?”

“Is that a yes?” Tristan’s smile widens.

I eye him suspiciously, my belly churning with nerves. “Just the three of us? Me, you, and your boyfriend?”

Tristan nods, his eyes bright and his smile wide, as if he can sense my imminent acquiescence.

“Fine,” I huff begrudgingly. “And stop smiling at me like that.”

“I can’t help it.” He beams. “I’m so pleased. I’ll text you the time and place as soon as I’ve booked a table for tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“I’m not giving you a chance to change your mind,” he declares resolutely. “And if you try to back out, I’ll send Dusty over to convince you. Trust me, she has an exhaustive list of karaoke hits to perform, and she never gets tired.”

I stare at him dryly. “You wouldn’t.”

“I’ll text you,” he calls over his shoulder and heads for the door.

“You don’t have my number.” I scowl.

“I do. I have the magic card thingy you gave me.”