Page 48 of The Alpha's Protective Mate

The door opens, and I look up.

The customer who walks in is someone I didn’t expect.

Straightening up, I give the woman a surprised look. “Angie? What are you doing here?”

“I was looking for you.” She walks toward me. “Can I get a coffee?”

She rummages in the small crossbody satchel by her side, but I shake my head. “I’ll pay. Don’t worry about it.”

She frowns. “I don’t want to get you in trouble.”

I chuckle. “I won’t get in trouble if I pay for it. So, what’s up?”

She leans on the counter as I prepare her a chocolate latte, knowing how much she likes sweet things. When she doesn’t answer me, I look over my shoulder only to see her watching me intently.

This time, a nervous laugh leaves my mouth. “Seriously, Angie. What is it? You’re freaking me out. This is the first time you’ve ever come to my place of work. Did you see something?”

Angie shakes her head. “I just wanted to talk to you.”

My eyes meet hers, and I know she’s not being straight with me.

“Angie…”

She sighs and reaches into her bag, bringing out the deck of tarot cards she showed me a few weeks ago. She spreads them across the counter and says, “Touch the cards that draw you.”

“That what me?” I echo, confused.

“Close your eyes,” she orders, “and reach for the cards that draw you in. You’ll be able to feel it.”

I stare at her for a full minute before sighing and wiping my hands on my apron. “Alright. Let’s do this, then.”

Moving her drink to the side, I close my eyes and start touching random cards. The third card I put my finger on produces a tingling sensation in my fingers. I’m opening my eyes when Angie snaps, “Keep your eyes closed!”

I flinch. “Okay. They’re closed.”

“Do it again.”

I begin touching the cards randomly again, and I let out a startled sound.

“This one?” Angie asks tightly.

“Y—yeah.”

“Keep doing it,” she says.

By the end, when I’m allowed to open my eyes, I see that she has separated four cards and is studying them. I recognize three of them as the same ones she showed me before, that day in the park. However, the fourth one is new. I can’t make out the picture.

Angie puts the card back down, her expression troubled.

“Angie?” I’m beginning to feel worried now.

“I never pick four cards,” she mutters to herself. “This never happens.”

I tap her shoulder. “Want to tell me what’s going on?”

She takes a couple of breaths to compose herself. I press the hot drink I just prepared for her into her hands. “Here. Drink this. You’ll feel better.”

She’s shaking, so I round the counter to help her to one of the empty booths. I’ve never seen her behave like this. She’s always so calm and together.

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