Page 8 of Hexes and Exes

She ignores my question and allusion to her obviously dirty mind. “I didn’t know you were going to stop.”

“Walking through solid objects is not one of my magical abilities.” I gesture toward the counter that necessitated the stop. “Your order?”

“Mocha.” Even though she answers my question, she glares at me. I pluck her cup from her hand and toss it in the garbage to sounds of her protests.

“Got that Bettina?” I ask the barista.

“Yes sir,” she replies and Ava mumbles “sir” under her breath. I turn and face the witch, wondering again why she’s here.

“Did you come to the resort for a look around? Excited to see how the other half of Mystic Hollows lives now that the border between the Tenebris and Lumen covens isn’t a thing anymore?”

Ava crosses her arms. Her coat is too tight across the shoulders with her bulky sweater underneath. The fabric pulls taut, and she uncrosses them with a huff. “I’ve been sent here on a special assignment.”

I rub along my jaw, tension from the day already making me clench. “What do you do again?”

“I work for the city manager. I’ve been tasked with helping to plan the Lupin, Lupita, the Valentine’s ball thing.”

“Lupercalia,” I supply. Bettina slides over the coffee but Ava doesn’t take it. I pick it up and hold it out for her. She stares at it like it’s a snake. “I might bite, but the coffee won’t.”

Ava’s wide-eyed stare reminds me of that fucking doll up in my office. I chuckle. She snatches it out of my hand and straightens her shoulders.

“Do you have an event planner or someone at this resort who I should work with?”

“You’re looking at him.”

Ava looks horrified. She takes a drink of coffee and curses. “Shit. Too hot.” Her head turns as she takes in the cafe and the parts of the lobby we can see from here. “You’re the event planner?”

“Fuck no. But I’ve been designated as a distinguished host of this event by my father.”

“You don’t seem like the kind of man who lets other people tell you what to do.”

I cup Ava’s elbow and lead her away from the cafe and out of earshot of any employees. “When he threatens my staff, then yes, I guess I do let others boss me around.”

Ava snorts. My eyes snap down and I frown. “Why is that funny?”

She shakes her head and takes another drink of her coffee, only to curse again. It’s only been thirty seconds. It hasn’t cooled off since the last time she took a sip. We’re standing in front of the water fountain in the lobby, the water softly tinkling next to us.

“Nothing. Just staff and bossy people.”

“Are you…twelve? Are you laughing at a sexual innuendo?”

“I’m twenty-eight.” Her chin juts out. “And yes, possibly.”

“Mother, give me strength.”

“I assume by mother, you’re speaking in terms of the magical variety, and not like your mom.”

“My mother is dead.” I don’t know why I let that slip. Ava sets me off. She makes my skin itch and my fingers twitch.

She stops fidgeting, her eyes full of sympathy when she looks up at me. I’ve never paid attention to their color before. I always thought they were a plain, mousy hue, but they’re an amber brown, a color so faceted it’s hypnotic.

“I’m sorry.”

Her words jolt me out of my head. “I’m sorry I brought it up. Let’s go find someplace to talk about this damn party.”

My office makes the most sense since I already have a list of requirements from the coven about the party. I usher Ava inside and she sets her coffee on the table before taking off her coat.

Her head tips back. She inhales and then mumbles under her breath. “Smells nice in here.”

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