Page 75 of Bright Dark Curses

Key switched on the light, then kneeled by the big open suitcase and nudged the clothes aside to check underneath.

“How have you been?” I asked, trying to inject as much casual nonchalance as possible. “Aside from the movie incidents. Things going well with Shane and Alex?”

Key stopped what she was doing to blink up at me. “I’ve been good.”

“I thought you did a wonderful job at Halloween. Thank you again for helping.”

She grinned. “It was awesome. I hope we can do it again next year. Or maybe during summer?”

“You would do that?”

“Of course.” She returned to searching the contents of the suitcase. “It was a lot of fun. I’m sure Shane and Alex would love to do it again too.”

“I’m glad. Do you like working for Ian?”

Key paused again. “Why are you asking these questions?”

I felt heat creep into my cheeks. “I don’t want you to be mad about me keeping you in the dark about Crane’s incident.”

She made a face. “Oh, that.”

“Yes, that. Are you still mad at me?”

“A little bit.” She held up her hand, thumb and index finger almost connecting.

I hung my head. “I’m sorry. I seriously thought it was for the best.”

“It’s okay, I understand.” She stood and moved to the closest nightstand. “I was just irritated that you told Shane and Alex before me. I could’ve helped from the start.”

There was a small hint of hurt in her voice that made me feel like the worst of the worst. “I know. I won’t leave you in the dark again, I promise.”

She arched an eyebrow.

“I won’t leave you in the dark over Shane and Alex,” I amended.

“Good. Shane’s already overprotective as it is.”

Oh, really? “He is?”

“He’s taken it upon himself to teach me how to do everything, from hammering a nail to how to drive. It’s been a pain.” She rolled her eyes. “As if I don’t know how to do those things already.”

“What did he say when Brett asked you for help?”

“Nothing much, but he made it obvious if I helped, he’d come too.” She opened a drawer, peeked inside, then moved onto the next.

“And you were okay with that?”

“He’s a good guy. Dependable.”

“Ah,” I said knowingly. “He threatened to tell Ian if you didn’t include him, huh?”

Key pouted and nodded.

“If you ever need me to run interference, just say the word. I’ll keep him busy with something else.”

“I don’t think he wants to work at the Tea Cauldron,” she said, amused.

“That’s all right. I’ll stick him in Dru’s clothing shop.”

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