Page 37 of Hexes and Exes

He reaches out to squeeze Ava’s arm and leans in as if he’s going to kiss her. I tug her to my side and the prick has no choice but to straighten or fall over. He shoots me a cautious grin before turning his attention back to Ava. I don’t like it.

“I was just walking by and saw you inside. Thought I’d say hello.”

“Uh, hey.” Ava lamely waves. I drop my hand to her waist and pull her in closer. She doesn’t even appear to notice.

“Still love those sweets, huh?” Jamie jabs with his elbow like he wants to poke her in the ribs, but he’s not close enough. “Not as much as you used to, though, it seems. You’re looking good.” His eyes scan down her body and back up again. The darkness rears up inside me, nearly blocking out all noise. I’m going to pluck his eyeballs from his head.

Ava’s mouth drops open and her cheeks flush red. She wiggles to free herself from my side, but I hold on tight. The exasperated look she throws my way is much better. Full of her normal fire.

“Thanks, Jamie,” she mumbles. I don’t like this at all.

“Yes, how kind of you to comment on someone’s body. Not at all inappropriate.”

Jamie turns narrowed eyes my way. “Oh, Ava doesn’t mind. We know each other too well for that, isn’t that right?” His attention moves back to Ava.

“Thanks for stopping by. Ava and I have other things that need our attention right now,” I say instead of ramming my fistinto his face. I doubt Paul would appreciate blood splattered all over his pretty little shop.

“Oh, that’s right, you’re planning the Lupercalia party, aren’t you? That’s why you two are paired up.” He knocks his two pointer fingers together. I want to break them. To hear him scream out apologies to Ava for even thinking he was worthy of simply saying her name.

“I keep forgetting and getting confused why you’re together, until I remember.”

A loud moaning sound comes from my pocket. It stops everyone in their tracks. The old man in the corner even lowers his paper to peer in our direction.

The moan happens again.

“Are you okay?” Jamie’s face is pinched. Ava’s eyes are wide, and her lips are pressed together like she’s holding in a laugh.

There’s another moan. “What the fuck is that?” I grumble and fish my phone out of my pocket. I stare as another moan vibrates the phone. It’s ringing, except normally, I just have it on silent. Even when the ringer is on, though, that’s not what it’s supposed to sound like.

“That’s an interesting alert.” Jamie unzips the top of his coat, and then turns his attention back to Ava. “Perhaps after all this sugar, you’d like to go for a walk? Burn off some of those calories.”

“It’s ten degrees out.” Ava gapes at him.

I’m about to toss him out and tell him to get fucked, when Paul slams another tray of baked goods on the counter, making Jamie jump. “Are you going to buy something?”

“Oh. No. I was just passing by.”

“Then keep walking. Customers only,” Paul grumbles, and I find myself liking the prickly man a lot more than when I walked in.

“Fine, I'll have a coffee.”

“We’re out of coffee,” Paul says, crossing his arms. At the same moment, the old man who’s been reading his paper this whole time wanders behind the counter and refills his coffee with an obviously full pot.

“Bye, Jamie. We have work to do.” Ava stands up straighter, but she’s still leaning into my side, as if she needs the support. I squeeze her waist.

“Get in touch, okay? Let’s catch up.” Jamie grins, with what he must think is a slick smile. My magic responds with a snap, shadows flicking out so quickly he doesn’t realize what’s happened. There’s a snap and Jamie’s grunting, bending over slightly at the waist.

Ava gapes up at me, then slams her mouth shut. Her shoulders shake as she holds back a laugh.

Jamie limps out of the bakery without another word.

“Why were you being nice to him?” The question comes out with more bite than I intend, but fucking hell, she should tell him to fuck off.

Paul raises an eyebrow and then spins around, disappearing into the back of the shop. The old man sipping his coffee hums under his breath.

“Because, unlike some people, I’m not a complete asshole.” She pulls away from my grip. I clench my fingers into a fist to keep from grabbing her and dragging her back to me.

“Maybe you should be.”

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