Page 5 of Shadow Witch

“Payment?” Paige slid her eyes closed as she massaged her temples. “This can’t be happening.”

“I mean, it’s not that bad, right?”

“The hell option sounded better,” Paige answered.

Drucinda clicked her tongue. “You’re being a bit dramatic. Besides, all you have to do is say you’re going to marry him. Devon’s already set this up. You’ll have a big engagement party this weekend. Once that’s over, he’ll give us the clue, and on we’ll go.”

Paige frowned, drumming her fingers against her thigh. “Oh, well, that doesn’t sound so bad. Just have to fake it through one weekend.”

“Would it help if I called you kitten?” Devon asked with a grin.

Paige wrinkled her nose, unhappy with the reference to the nickname the other man who had proposed to her used. “No.”

“Okay, pumpkin, we’ll go with another one.”

Paige raised her eyes skyward. “Are you sure we can’t go through hell for this clue?”

“I’m sure. Relax, Paige, that’ll be fun!” Dewey said with a pat on her head.

“Well, with that settled, we’re going to need some clothing for the weekend. You have nothing suitable. Come along, darling, it’s time to shop.”

“Oh, can I come?” Dewey asked. “I’d like to grab a new tie and maybe even a sports coat.”

“I suppose,” Drucinda said. “Though I’m not stopping at more than one magical men’s store, just so you know.”

“Fine by me. As long as it’s Deiman Marcus, I’m all good.”

“Don’t you mean Neiman Marcus?” Paige asked.

“Yeah, Paige,” Dewey said with a scoff, “I meant Neiman Marcus where they will have sport coats with wing holes on the rack.” He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Sometimes, Paige, sometimes.”

Paige crinkled her nose as she wondered where the stores were with dragon items.

“Well, little man, we’ll certainly stop there, but I’m not spending all my time in the magical shopping district. The clothes there are too…” Drucinda wrinkled her nose. “Odd.”

“Odd?” Paige asked. “Like magical?”

“No, think Hunger Games,” Dewey said. “Just bizarre and weird.”

“Right. I’d rather shop high-end boutiques here in Paris. They’ll have my style. Which means…” Drucinda grabbed the cat carrier from the floor. “You need to hop in, little man.”

“Seriously?” Dewey complained.

“Well, I can’t carry you about Paris.”

Dewey buzzed over and climbed inside.

“Like the good old days, buddy. Remember that?”

“Yeah, I remember. At least I’m getting out.”

Drucinda zipped the top shut and handed the carrier to Paige. “We’ll tell them it’s your emotional support cat. They’ll buy that.”

Paige tossed the strap over her shoulder with narrowed eyes at the remark.

“Oh, Paige, wait, before you go,” Devon said, digging into his pocket. He produced a red velvet ring box before he snapped his gaze up to her. “You want me to get down on one knee?”

“No,” Paige said with a shake of her head.

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