Page 14 of Unraveling Rain
The waiter returns with our drinks. When I look up to mumble a thanks, I realize it’s not the same girl who took our order.
Hell no. This woman came down straight from heaven.
She’s wearing a simple white tank top with the Rustic Spoon logo, but the way it molds to her body has my jaw hitting the floor.
“Here you go, Granny,” the gorgeous redhead says with a kind smile. “Is there anything else you need before I head out?”
“No dear, that’ll be all. Thank you for checking on me,” Granny says, patting her hand.
She smiles, turns on her heel, and disappears into the kitchen.
“Xander, dear. Are you okay?” Granny asks, snapping me out of my stupor.
I shake my head, trying to put away the image of the most gorgeous woman I’ve seen. The freckles on her face give her an angelic glow, but the tattoos on her arms tell another story. She seems edgy, full of sass. And for some reason, I’m already obsessed.
“Yes. I’m sorry, Granny. What did you ask?” I say, clearing my throat.
She smiles kindly at me. “I was saying that I haven’t seen you around before.”
“You’re correct. I’m on my way to Serene Lookout.”
Granny’s eyes widen, but a smile spreads across her wrinkled face.
“Oh, so you’re one of Ruin’s patients?” she asks.
I paused, confused. I thought this place was supposed to be like a vault. How does she know?
Noticing my expression, she quickly adds, “Oh, Ruin is my granddaughter. She hasn’t mentioned anything about you—she’s a professional, I can assure you.”
I relax as I take a sip of my tea. The sweet goodness coats my taste buds, followed by a subtle hint of lime—so refreshing. Exactly what I needed.
“I’m excited to work with her,” I say.
“I know you only came in for a drink, so I won’t keep you. But would it be possible for me to read your tarot? It’s kinda my thing.”
She takes me by surprise as she spreads a deck of cards in front of me. I noticed the crystals on the table, but I hadn’t thought anything of it.
I wonder what other quirky things I’ll find this summer. Honestly? This is kind of fun. My mom would get a kick out of it.
“Sure, why not?” I say with a chuckle.
“Excellent. Choose a card,” she says, placing her index and middle fingers on her temples with a flourish.
I press my lips together to keep from laughing.
I pick a card and place it face down in front of her. She mumbles something I can’t quite make out, then opens her eyes and flips the card.
It’s a couple.
Her face lights up like the sky on the Fourth of July. “Aha! You, my dear Xander, are going to finally find true love.”
I smile politely. As entertaining as this is, I don’t believe in divination—especially not when it involves soulmates.
I used to believe in love.
Not anymore.
“It’s okay. You don’t need to believe me right now. But when that girl makes your heart beat again, I want you to bring her to me. Deal?”
