Page 101 of Bright Dark Curses

He tensed. “Can I help Dru?”

I took another sip of cocoa and let him sweat it while I pondered what to tell him. Should I put him out of his misery or let him run around asking more questions about the money and hopefully not sleeping well at night over it? But if he kept asking, he might uncover the wrong information about me and the shop.

Besides, I really needed that crystal.

“Dru got a private investment from a reputable source.” I lifted up a hand before he could speak. “I can’t say who it is, but there are no bad deals involved. You can stop worrying now.”

He studied me closely. “Are you telling the truth?”

“Yes.”

He closed his eyes with obvious relief. “Good.”

“But, if you want to start repairing your friendship with Dru, I suggest you give her shop you full support during the next PBOA meeting.”

“Of course.”

“Wonderful. Now, the jade please?”

He waved that aside. “I don’t have one.”

My whole being stilled. “What?”

He polished the last of his Danish and gulped down the remains of his espresso. “I don’t have a charged black jade. I wanted to talk to you about Dru, and this was the only way you would.”

Of all the underhanded… I snapped to my feet, the chair scraping back with a hair-raising screech. “No wonder Dru broke up with you!”

He offered me one of his patented blindingly white smiles. “Lovely doing business with you.”

It would be once I was done making him eat his espresso cup.

Unfortunately, Grandma would not approve. Neither would the shop staff. Probably. They might after I explained the situation, though.

I took in a calming breath. The smells of coffee filled my senses, the sounds of keys clacking and muted conversations. The loud whistles of the machines.

“Trust might lead us into unfair seas, but it will never sink us.”

“It won’t?” Preston asked politely.

“Nope,” I told him smugly. “Because my soul will be light enough to sleep at night. You, on the other hand? Good luck with the crabs at the bottom of the sea.”

He stood and grabbed his coat. “Eloquent.”

“Thank you. Dru will be as well once I tell her how you scammed me.”

That brought him up short. “What?”

“I’m afraid this will only corroborate her version of the story. And here I thought there was a chance for the both of you to eventually get along.” I shook my head. “Totally my bad. I should write to her parents as well. They should be informed of how you treat the local business owners.”

Deep lines formed on his forehead. “Now, wait a minute.”

I tilted my head and eyed him. “I wonder what other underhanded agreements you’ve collected to get to where you are. They should definitely be aware of any possible taint to Tabbies’s reputation.”

“This was a private matter,” he sputtered. “Nothing to do with Tabbies.”

I lifted my hands in a full-armed shrug. “You know what they say: your business life is a representation of your private life.”

“Who says that?”

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