Page 14 of Haunt Improvement
My round-two plan was foiled by the doorbell.
“Toto shitting in a cyclone,” I grumbled under my breath.
“What-who now?”Dylan stammered, his eyes fluttering open.“Are they back early?”
“It’s Roger.”I gritted my teeth, recognizing the perturbed chittering of the belfry bats.“Glinda gave me his wicker basket.”
Dylan’s lip curled with distaste.My cousin made no secret of her depraved activities with Assjacket’s resident bunny Shifter.
“I’ll be right back,” I promised, scrambling out of bed.I opted for Dylan’s oversized robe to keep Porno Cottontail’s eyes from exploring.After double knotting the sash around my waist, I exited into the foyer, closing the bedroom door behind me before I fetched the basket from the guest closet.
As I headed for the front door, my attention snagged on the rolltop desk.It was open, revealing the extra stack of yellow shower invitations tucked inside one of the cubbies.I crinkled my nose, but when the doorbell rang a second time, I blinked, and one appeared in my hand.A second blink wrote Emmy’s name across the front in lacy calligraphy.
Wizard help me.
Decision made, I sighed and yanked open the front door.
“Oh, dear me.”Roger startled at my rash welcome, his nose twitching as he took in the robe and my bare feet.“I do hope I haven’t interrupted.I circled the block a few times, waiting for the rainbows to stop pulsating.”
The idea of the entire town getting a full-on lights show anytime Dylan and I got busy set my face on fire.“Here’s your basket, Roger,” I said through gritted teeth.“And this is for Glinda’s sister.”
Roger’s eyes lit up at the yellow invitation, but I held firm when he accepted it, waiting for him to look me in the eye.
“I want it on record that I still think this is a bad idea.I’m only doing it for Glinda.”
“Duly noted,” Roger said, his grin widening.“She’ll be so happy.I’m on my way over now for dinner—and dessert just gotsooomuch juicer.”
“Ugh.”I let go of the invitation, and he stumbled back a step.“If this goes south, I’m getting a new therapist, too,” I threatened.
Roger’s glee melted into a somewhat more professional expression.“I made no promises, Mrs.Hernández.I’ve yet to even meet Emmy.I simply offered the pros and cons of how this could affect your relationship with Glinda.”
“I don’t care,” I snapped, not caring how childish I sounded.“If Emmy ruins my baby shower, I’m holding you responsible and changing providers.”
“You’re free to do as you wish, of course.”He tucked the handle of the wicker basket over his arm and straightened his tie.“But I fear I must remind you, I’m the only therapist in this town.”
“Haven’t you heard?”I blinked stiffly.“Online therapists are all the rage right now.They even have ones exclusively for witches.”
Roger’s face drooped into a sickly frown, but before he could reply, I offered a tight, unkind smile.
“Enjoy your dessert,” I said with faux cheer before slamming the door in his face.
I still had dessert of my own waiting in the bedroom, and I intended to enjoy it before Hermosa and Asher returned.Rainbow light shows and all.
