He snickered. “It’s such a dumb name.”
“You’re the one who went with the name we picked when we were five years old. You couldn’t have thought of anything better?”
“It had to be Ego. That weekend was the last good childhood memory I have.”
Blinking back tears, I cleared my throat. “Asshole. You’re getting such a big hug when we get to your new house.”
“I’ll take it. Hey, how do your friends think you landed this job?”
I giggled. “Luckily enough, I got to go with the truth. Don’t forget, your assistant did contact me to interview me for this gig without knowing that I was the one who found you this house and already planned to decorate it for you.”
Ego snorted. “She’s a good egg. I’m so fuckin’ thankful I found her. I don’t think I could’ve navigated fame without her.” He shook his head and looked out the window. “Does that say Daily Knead?”
“Yep. It’s the bakery. Wait until you meet Sonny, the owner. He’s a grouch. You’ll get a hoot out of him.”
“Does he have coffee? I could really use a cup.”
“Don’t worry. I got you, snot-nozzle. We’re headed to Witch’s Brew Coffee Co.”
Ego spun his head, staring at the side of my face. “You’re kidding. A reportedly haunted town has a coffee shop named Witch’s Brew?”
Chuckling, I pulled off of Main into the parking lot that ran alongside the strip of shops that housed our destination. “Sure do.” I hopped out. Once Ego joined me, I continued, “They’re relatively new transplants like me. Carli and Cassi Hart.”
“Sisters?”
As I opened the door, I pointed toward the lovely ladies exchanging a hug behind the counter. “Wives.”
“Nice.” Ego passed me and walked in. It was obvious that the stunning brunette and adorably rotund blonde instantly recognized him by their rounded eyes and huge smiles. “Hello,” my cousin said, turning on the charm.
“Hello, handsome,” Carli responded. “What can I get for you?”
“And can I have your autograph?” Cassi asked with a giggle.
Her wife glared at her affectionately. “Way to be chill, wifey.”
Cassi shrugged, hip-checking her out of the way. “It’s not for me. I thought it would be a cool edition for the signature wall that Skylar suggested.” She smiled at me warmly as I joined them at the counter.
Ego quirked a brow. “And when did you suggest this wall, Mr. Reign?”
Waggling my eyebrows, I said, “The morning after your offer was accepted for your new place.”
Looking interested, Carli leaned her hip against the counter. “You’re moving to Willowhope?”
“Not full-time or anything, but I needed a retreat. You know how it is.” He smirked, and even Carli flushed. Cassi didn’t even try to hide her giddy delight at his presence in their coffee shop and peppered him with a thousand questions.
Since we missed the morning rush and the lunchtime customers hadn’t begun to trickle in yet, they had plenty of time to chat, leaving space for me to check in with Kingston.
Me:Helllllooooooo.
Me:How’s your day?
King:I’m tired.
I frowned. The circles under his eyes were becoming more prominent every time I saw him. At some point, he’d gone from sleep-deprived to full exhaustion. I’d hoped that the tree ordeal that Harry and Buck had solved would help Kingston get more rest. Apparently not.
Me:Is there anything I can do?
Me:Maybe have your gran make some of her special hot cocoa
