Page 78 of The Main Event

Tammy’s nose wrinkled. “The witch village is full of satanic idols.”

“I’m confused why you live here if you hate the witch stuff so much,” I admitted. “If it offends you—as it clearly does—why don’t you move somewhere else?”

Tammy’s expression suggested I’d made a treacherous misstep. “You can’t fight evil from afar.”

“See, but the thing is, you act like someone who might’ve actually been all for killing the Salem witches. I know none of them were burned at the stake or anything, but you act as if you would’ve been game for it.”

“So?”

Really, how was I supposed to respond to that? “Is there something specific you need?” I asked.

“Well, I thought we could go over some performance review reports.” She made a sniffing noise, as if I was somehow hurting her feelings.

“I’ve gone over all the performance review reports. I didn’t see anything that would’ve caused concern.”

Tammy turned incredulous. “What about Daisy’s report? We both agreed that she makes way too much money.”

“Actually, I think I was hasty in my assumption about her duties.” I tried to tell myself that my quick turnaround on Daisy’s value had everything to do with the work she was putting in—and shewasa tremendous worker—and nothing to do with the fact that I was licking chocolate sauce out of her navel during Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue the night before. It wasn’t working all that well.

“You think you were hasty.” Tammy’s gaze grew even darker, which shouldn’t have been possible. “She makes six figures a year.”

“Yes, and she brings in more than seven figures a year. Her parties are funding the rest of the renovations.”

“So, you’re just keeping her around until the renovations are complete.” It wasn’t a question. It was an assumption.

“I’m not sure what’s going to happen,” I replied. “We’ll see after the renovation has been knocked out.”

“So, you’re going to stick it out through the entire renovation?” Surprise and pleasure warmed Tammy’s features. “That’s great. I definitely think we should talk about some of the staffing—especially Daisy—but if you want to wait until after the holidays, I can make that work. We can let her go in February.”

It took everything I had not to explode. “Or we’ll just see what happens.” I didn’t want to get into a long, drawn-out conversation with Tammy. That was like a black hole of despair. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a lesson on Salem awaiting.”

I didn’t wait for Tammy to respond. I smoothly sidestepped her and headed for the door. Daisy had texted that she was already outside. “Have a great afternoon,” I threw over my shoulder.

“Oh, I intend to,” was her dark response. I could feel her glaring holes in my back as I left.

“I DON’T WANT YOU TO GET YOUR HOPESup too much,” Daisy said as she led me into what looked to be an alley. “If you’re expecting a big carnival, you’re going to be disappointed. This place is… It’s really hard to explain.”

“You don’t have to make excuses, Daisy,” I admonished her. “I just want to see it.”

She stopped at a booth, grinned at the kid playing his Switch inside of it, and then tapped the counter. “Hey, Graham,” she said to the teenager. He couldn’t have been twenty yet. There was no way. “We need two wristbands.”

I dug for my wallet, but Daisy stopped me with a headshake. “We get the wristbands for free because we sponsor events here throughout the season.”

Graham looked annoyed that we’d interrupted his game, so he practically threw the wristbands at Daisy. “They have the apple pie dough that you like so much today,” he said, not looking up. “I had some for breakfast. It was good.”

“You should try oatmeal for breakfast too,” Daisy suggested as she slid my wristband on for me. Because I couldn’t stop myself, I squeezed her fingers before she pulled them away. Amusement glinted in her eyes, and she grinned.

“Oatmeal is the breakfast of the old,” Graham replied. He’d gone back to playing his game. “I’m good.”

“You’re going to regret it when you’re my age,” Daisy warned.

“You still look pretty good for an old one,” Graham replied. “In case you’re wondering, I like them old. They say women in their forties are the best teachers.”

Daisy’s mouth dropped open. “Just how old do you think I am?”

Graham shrugged. “I have no idea. I just know I’m still interested.”

“You are too much.” She flicked his ear and then led me farther into the alley. “I know his mother,” she explained to me. “We do yoga together.”

---