Page 31 of My Blind Date is a Demon

“Hello, dear. Is Bella with you?”

“Yes.”

“And you-know-who?”

“Of course. I can’t shake him.”

“Good. Come by the shop, will you? I have news.”

CHAPTER 11

“Beverly!” Bella runs over to Beverly and gives her a big hug.

“Hey there, princess,” Beverly says, giving her a hug and kissing the top of her head. “What have you been up to?”

“I just watched a bunch of cat videos with Lisa at the police station. Can I show you?”

“Sure thing, sugar plum.” Beverly doesn’t have a computer in the shop, so she hands Bella her cell phone.

“We can’t stay long,” I say. “It’s already…” I look at my phone. “Oh, it’s only 4:30. Still, I have to run by the store and get some stuff for dinner and take Dash for a walk and catch up on some work—”

“Calm down, dear,” Beverly says. “You sound like you just ran a marathon.”

“I feel like I have, especially chasing after these two,” I say, indicating Bella and Damon. Damon has wandered away to check out one of Beverly’s bookshelves.

“You should take a night off,” Beverly says.

I let out a humorless laugh. “How, exactly?”

“Well, I can take care of Bella. I’ll take her home later. You should go out. When was the last time you had a sit-down meal at a restaurant and a nice, strong cocktail?”

“Cora and I had brunch just the other day.”

“That was three weeks ago!”

“It was?” I sort through my mental calendar and realize that she’s right. “Huh, I guess so. Still, I have a lot to do. I’d appreciate you watching Bella while I run errands and get caught up on work, though.”

“Ugh, no! I’m not going to give you a night off just for you to waste it on work. Bella, phone!” Bella hands Beverly the phone.

“What are you doing?” I ask as Beverly makes a call. She holds a finger up to quiet me.

“Hello, Rachel. Yes, it’s me. How are you?” Beverly listens for a moment and then lets out a big laugh. “Oh my. I’m sure he deserved it. Listen, I’m calling to make a reservation for Tamzin Jones and a guest. Uh-huh. Uh-huh.” She lets out another laugh. “Okay, yes. All right, dear. Seven o’clock. Talk to you later.” Beverly ends the call and hands the phone back to Bella.

“I wish you hadn’t done that,” I say.

“Too late. It’s on me. Now, you can do a few errands and go home and get yourself cleaned up.”

“I am clean—”

“Bup-bup-bup,” Beverly interrupts. “It’s all on me. You know the time and place. You and Damon can go and have a nice night out. Take a break, have a drink.” She starts to usher me out of the shop. Damon follows us.

“What’s going on?” Damon asks once we are outside.

“Toodles.” Beverly gives me a finger wave and then locks the door to keep me from going back inside.

“Apparently, we are being forced to go to dinner at The Eat tonight. Beverly’s treat.”

“Well, I’m looking forward to it,” Damon says. “I’ve heard the spareribs are to die for.”

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