Page 38 of All Dressed Up

Rachel put the card back in the register and escorted the Stevens clan up the stairs, unable to shake off the feeling she’d done something incredibly terrible. She should have never taken the purse, let alone struck a deal with someone who wasn’t of this world.

What was she thinking?

She wasthinkingthat she wanted Will and would do just about anything under the sun to get him back. That she’d made a colossal mistake ending things between them. That all she wanted was a second chance to prove to him she believed in him and that they could be good together. That she was in love with him.

Reaching the landing, her front door chimes rang out. Relief washed over her. He was here. “That must be Will. I’ll just run down and then lock the door for the night. Go right in.”

She headed back down the stairs, not only excited to see Will, but thankful she’d have a minute to get her composure together. Magic, witches, the afterlife. This wasn’t her reality. She was starting to realize she may be in way over her head.

But there was one thing she could do. She could put on her best smile, greet the man she was head over heels for, and ask him if he wanted to get a drink alone after the ladies left.

Wonderful plan. Over drinks, maybe she’d get the nerve to confess that she had feelings for him. She took a deep breath, pushing an air full of courage through her lungs and entered the shop. Her jaw dropped at the sight in front of her.

What the hell?Will stood in the entrance in a white T-shirt and jeans that would have been an incredibly sexy look if the shirt wasn’t all wrinkled and he wasn’t sporting a giant orange streak across his chest. His wavy brown hair was messy as if he’d just woken up, but that had nothing on his eyes, which appeared bloodshot.

“Hi,” she said cautiously.

“Hey.” He came up to her. “Emma here yet?”

“Yeah, she’s upstairs with Abby and Sheila.”

He clapped his hands. “Great. Let’s get this over with.”

He started to walk past her, but she grabbed for his arm, smelling alcohol on his breath. “Hold up. Are you drunk?”

“Nah.”

She narrowed her eyes and folded her arms across her chest. “Is that alcohol I smell a new cologne? If so, you should really consider sporting a different one.”

“I had a little too much to drink at lunch. I slept it off. I’m fine now.”

She cocked her head. What possessed him to drink during the day? Was he that upset about the fire that it caused whatever disaster was going on now in front of her? “What’s all over your shirt?”

He flattened a palm over his chest. “Cheese puffs.”

“Did you forget about tonight?”

“I’m here, aren’t I?” he snapped back, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. Let’s get on with this. I have somewhere to be, as I’m sure you do, too.” He started for the back.

What did he mean by that? The only plans she had was to help him. Why was he being such an ass?

She shook her head. There’d be no getting together for drinks later. He certainly didn’t need another one, and she didn’t want to be in his company—not like this. “Why don’t you go for a walk and get some coffee at the Star Lite. I’ll take care of the ladies.”

“Rach, I’m fine. Really. I’ll go up, we’ll open the trunk, and I’ll go home.”

There was no way she’d let him get behind a wheel. She crossed the shop and flipped the front door lock. “Fine, but I’m driving you.”

“Not necessary.”

She grabbed the keys out of his hand on her way past him. “It’s not up for discussion.”

Will had other thoughts on that, and they continued to argue all the way up the stairs.

Stopping at the landing, she turned and stepped into his space. If he wanted a fight, he’d get one. “I thought you wanted to do this.”

“I do.”

“Then what is the problem?”

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