Page 29 of De-Witched

Joanne parked her hip on the desk, waving that off. “On the house. It gives me an excuse to stretch my legs.”

There was more to her smile, enough that Leah blew on the coffee with her eyebrows raised in expectation. “Uh-huh.”

Joanne folded like a deck chair. “Fine. What’s up with the gorgeous new employee?”

The cup jerked in Leah’s hand. “Who?”

Now Joanne gave Leah a look.

“How do you even know about him? He started yesterday.”

“I have eyes.” The bland statement had Leah snorting. Joanne’s head tilted side to side as if looking for him. “What’s his story?”

Bare bones, Leah decided. She sipped the coffee, let it dance on her tongue. “His name’s Gabriel. He needed a job for the next couple of months and you know we always need help. He’s...friends with Emma and Tia.”

“The friends you own the bar with, right?” They’d had enough gossipy conversations to get that far. Joanne nibbled her lip. “Single?”

Something in Leah slapped at that, an automatic rejection that surprised her. She hurriedly took another sip of coffee. “Ah, I think so. But he lives in New Orleans so I doubt he’s looking to date.”

“I could do short-term with someone that looks like him.”

“He’s kind of abrasive. Not sure he’s your type.”

Joanne paused, interest dawning in eyes that saw too much. “Am I stepping onto your territory here?”

If she’d have been drinking, it would’ve been a spit take. “No.”

“I won’t poach if you’ve called dibs.”

“I haven’t—I wouldn’t...” When Joanne’s smile widened into a knowing grin, Leah took a breath. “It’s not like that. I’m just warning you, his personality doesn’t match his looks. If you like that type.”

“The tall, dark and take-me-against-a-wall type.”

The image that flashed into Leah’s brain would need bleach to be erased.

Joanne made a noise in the back of her throat. “I knew it.”

“Knew what? You’re delusional.”

“See, it’s the—” She stopped as Leah’s phone started to ring. “Saved by the bell. I’d best be getting back anyway.”

“Yeah, thanks.” Leah moved her coffee to her other hand and picked up her cell. “It’s not like that, Jo.”

“Uh-huh.” Joanne’s laugh lingered as she slipped out the door.

“It’s not like that,” Leah muttered, before pushing answer. “Hey, Tia.”

“How’re things with Goodnight? You okay?”

Irritation was instant. Leah scowled into space. “Well, I blurted out that I know about magic on his tour, but he took it well.”

“Funny.”

“Even said he’d give me conjuring lessons.”

“Right.”

“And then, who knows, maybe he’ll spill the secrets of the High Family when we go on our work bonding trip.”

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