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“So cute,” Aria sighs, and Archer lifts a brow. She gets flustered and looks away.

“I want to check in at the store,” I say, leaning into Archer’s touch as he rubs my back.

“What about Granny?” Aria asks.

“She’s fine keeping Betty and Travis occupied,” Mateo tells her, but is looking at me. “Are we keeping her in the dark? She doesn’t know about the spell you did.”

“I didn’t want to worry her,” I murmur.

“Uh-huh.” He lifts a brow, but drops it.

“Adeline’s vision was in the store,” Archer mentions lightly. “Are we going anyway?”

“He’s going to find us no matter where we are,” I say.

“Alright,” he says.

Aria snorts. “That’s it?”

“What?” Archer tilts his head.

“You aren’t going to try and stop her? Keep her locked up here where it’s safe?” she asks.

“Why would I?” He curves his hand around my hip. “She’s not helpless. Her magic can protect her, and so can I. Griffon has an agenda, and I won’t hide.”

“Damn,” she breathes.

“Ditto,” Mateo says.

“Enough of this,” I snap, not appreciating the way they both are looking at him. “Are you coming to the store or to Archer’s house?”

“The store first,” Aria says, and walks around the counter. “I want to see it.”

“Rome is probably sick of me hanging around,” Mateo says. “But I don’t want to be left out.”

“Follow us,” Archer orders, and guides me to the door, and stops so they can leave first.

Aria gets in Mateo’s car, and they wait for me to lock up the house. Maybe it’s reckless to go to the place where Griffon plans to come, but Archer is right; we won’t hide. I have a team of powerful people.

The mysterious warlock should be the one afraid.

“Maybe you shouldn’t smile at any of the men,” Aria whispers, and I glance at her.

“What?” I pause as I’m straightening the stack of books.

“That guy you checked out,” she mumbles, her eyes shooting toward Archer. “He almost put a whammy on him.”

“You're seeing things.” I look at the seating area where Archer and Rome are talking. I decided to cashier and give Mara a break. There are a dozen customers in the store, and only a few are men. Most of them are with a woman.

“You weren’t watching him,” she insists, turning her back to the counter. “He was watching you, and I could sense his magic flaring.”

“He’s jealous of a smile?” I frown.

“Girl, the man is alpha to the extreme,” she scoffs. “He doesn’t like you giving any positive attention to anyone but him, especially other men.”

“But, it’s my customer service smile.” I’ve spent years serving others, so I’ve perfected my smile. Kind, yet impersonal.

“He’s a man. He doesn’t know the difference.” She glances over her shoulder. “I want a man who will get jealous over me,” she whines.