King side-eyed me, completely bemused. Honestly, so was I. The Harts hadn’t resided in Willowhope long, so how in the world did they know Rosie?
Carli came out from the back and shook her head. “Cassi, let go of the poor man. You’re going to scare him.” She rescued King from her wife’s clutches and gave him a polite nod.
Was I in an alternate universe? Carli was usually the hyper, overly friendly one of this duo. Cassi had barely even cared when I brought Ego in, and he was world famous, but there were stars in her eyes as she stared up at King.
“You’ll have to excuse my wife,” Carli said. “She’s always wanted to meet your grandmother. She’s a bit of a fangirl.”
King’s head jerked back with surprise. “My gran? Rosie Porter?”
Both women nodded, but Cassi’s head looked like it was going to pop right off her body, she was moving it so hard. “Of course. We follow the High Priestess’ blog. She’s amazing.”
Surprised, I whirled on him. “You never told me your gran has a blog.”
He shook his head. “I didn’t know. She can’t even use a computer.”
Cassi quirked an eyebrow. “Um. I assure you she can.”
King rubbed a hand over his face, mumbling softly, “Of course, she can. Apparently, she has a whole life I know nothing about.”
Slipping my arm around his waist, I hugged him reassuringly. “Sorry, ladies. We’re on our first date, and discussing his grandmother isn’t very sexy.” I winked.
Carli’s face lit up, and sounding more like the peppy lady I’d grown fond of, she asked, “Is this who you’ve been telling us about? Your gentle giant?”
“Carli,” I screeched.
King chuckled bashfully, and Cassi rolled her eyes. There, now she was back to normal, too. I couldn’t handle anything else being off-kilter right now.
“Carli, go make Sky’s drink. What can I get for you, Mr. Porter?” Cassi asked.
“Ew. No. Call him Kingston,” I said, leaning into him. “And get him what I’m having.”
King nodded. “Yeah, that sounds good.” He didn’t even know about the creamy goodness coming his direction, but he didn’t seem too concerned about it as he pointed at the hallway with the sign above the door that said,Restroom. “I’ll be right back.”
The ladies waited for his big frame to disappear before Carli abandoned my drink and said, “Spill.”
Ha. That was easier said than done. What to say? My brain was crammed with information about things I never even knew existed. I was pretty sure two women who named their shop Witch’s Brew, and who apparently at least one of them worshipped my King’s grandmother, wouldn’t think I’d lost the plot if I spilled some deets, but no. That wasn’t happening.
Not only because I genuinely didn’t understand what exactly was happening, but because today was my and King’s day. Anusday. A talk about favorite colors and movies and podcasts day. Awe need a break from all things…other, kind of day.
The only part that sucked was Lee saying we should sleep in separate places tonight. King didn’t look any happier about it than I was, but he’d been game to try it when Lee assured him that he thought it might keep me from joining in the Dream-veil, as long as we didn’t drink the concoction, potion, or whatever it was, of Rosie’s.
Studious and patient beyond anything I understood, King didn’t want me with him until we understood more. I was pretty sure he wanted his grandparents to write him a book to study before we tested out the whole beyond-the-veil thing again.
Shaking that off, I leaned forward and whispered, “I think we’re dating.”
Cassi barked out a laugh. “You don’t know?”
I shrugged. “He’s had a lot going on, so he’s not the easiest to read.”
Carli nodded sagely, like she knew something I didn’t know. “Give it time. The best ones aren’t always the most open.” She darted a glance at her wife.
Cassi rolled her eyes but squeezed her wife’s hip as she passed her to go finish preparing my and King’s drinks. Carlileaned forward, obviously ready for a good gossip sesh, when King came back down the hall. “Drat.”
I snickered. “Drat?” I teased. “I’ll definitely have to bring Rosie in to meet you two. I think you’ll like each other.”
Cassi set our drinks on the counter. “I already love her. A drink a day on us for the rest of the year if you bring her in.”
Carli’s jaw dropped, and she stared at her wife incredulously. Reaching over to squeeze her arm, I said, “Don’t worry. I’m a new business owner, too. I will always pay.”
