“Me, too.” Tabitha took a gulp of her wine. “Now, if I could just get her to stop picking fights with the local boys, we’d be in great shape.”
“They’re bullies,” Aria said. “And she always wins.”
Tabitha smiled and shrugged. “Good point. She’s a peacekeeper.”
I didn’t ask how Tabitha had come to be the primary caregiver of her niece, but since they didn’t mention Catrina’s mother, I assumed it had to be a sad story.
“So, we hear you’re fixing up Lavender House.” Aria leaned forward. “That’s a big job.”
I blew out a breath. “No kidding. But I think I know what’s got a bee in its bonnet.” I told them what I’d learned today, but no one had any idea about who had enchanted the house. It had happened long before our time.
“It’s pretty impressive you were able to figure that out,” Emma said. “I didn’t get a hint of an enchantment.”
“And you were able see something with the curse revealer spell that even my grandmother hasn’t seen before,” Aria said before turning to the other women. “Gran told me that she saw a blue glow. It should have been green or nothing.”
“See?” Holly nudged Emma, a gesture that was blatantly obvious.
“I’m getting to it, Holly,” Emma said to her. She turned to me. “My very impatient friend over here mentioned talking to you about joining our coven. I think it’s a great idea, especially considering your unusual talents. You’ve got power, Isobel. If you’re interested, I’ll talk to the other members.”
“I would have talked to them if I could have,” Holly said. “But I’m just an apprentice, and it would have more weight coming from Emma.”
“Thank you,” I said, loving how included I felt. “But I’m not sure about my powers. I don’t know what my talent is.”
“You’ll figure it out,” Emma said. “It definitely sounds unusual, and the coven could benefit from a talent like yours.”
“Once I figure out what it is.”
“Just consider it. If we think there’s room for someone new, I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks.” I grinned.
We spent the rest of the night gossiping about work and relationships. Aria was married, and Emma would be getting hitched in the summer. Tabitha and Holly were single, but both had options on the horizon, as they put it.
“What about that werewolf you live with?” Holly bobbed her eyebrows up and down. “He’s quite fit.”
I remembered the sight of him walking out of the sea. “He is indeed.”
“Total lone wolf,” Tabitha said. “Every woman in town thinks he’s a catch, if you ignore his grumpy personality, but he hasn’t given any of us the time of day.”
“That’s not what Meg said about him and Isobel.” Emma grinned widely and pointed at me. “He was totally into you at The Sea Shanty, she said. Kept staring at you all night, looking tortured.”
“Yeah, tortured by the fact that he has to live with me,” I replied.
“Not that kind of tortured. Sexy tortured.”
I rolled my eyes and laughed, but I couldn’t help but think of the look in his eyes when he’d seen me tonight. Something they’d said about him had caught my attention, though. “What do you mean, lone wolf? Isn’t there a pack in town?”
“Not one that he’s a member of.”
“Don’t werewolves need to be part of a pack?” I asked.
Aria nodded. “They’re like family. But as far as anyone can tell, he doesn’t have one.”
Sadness shot through me. I knew what that felt like, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Perhaps that was why he was grumpy.
“Maybe they kicked him out,” Holly said. “Could be he did something shitty.”
It was possible, but not probable, unless there were werewolf politics involved. He was a fundamentally good guy, I could feel that about him. If he really didn’t have a pack, I didn’t think it was through any fault of his own. I moved the subject away from him, though. I didn’t need to think about him any more than I already did.
My phone began to buzz with incoming text messages, and I pulled it out of my handbag, frowning down at the screen. An unknown number was texting me.
I opened the screen, immediately spotting the messages, one after the other.
I’m so sorry. Please take me back. I was wrong.
I glared at the phone, annoyance and disgust streaking through me.
“What’s wrong?” Emma asked.
“My ex. I blocked his number, but he must have got a new one.” I turned the phone around so they could see the numbers.
“Ugh,” Aria said. “It’s like he sensed you were talking about another man and felt the need to blow up your phone.”
“It’s a bit stalkerish,” Holly said.
“Kind of, if he weren’t so lazy.” I blocked the number and put the phone back in my bag. “But if Tommy is anything, it’s fundamentally lazy. That’s why he wants to keep me around so badly. I did everything for him.”
“What a loser,” Tabitha said. “And I can guarantee that’s not the only reason he wants you around.” She looked me up and down. “You’re hot.”
I grinned, flushed with pleasure. “Thanks.”
“You sure you’re not worried about him?” Emma asked.
“Annoyed, yes. Worried, no. He’s not violent, never was. He’s just annoyed that I left and probably had a few pints too many.” But I was getting sick of his messages. I wanted him out of my life entirely. “I might need to get a new number, though.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Aria said. “Kick him to the curb once and for all.”
I liked that idea and shoved Tommy from my mind. He’d lost me, but that wasn’t my problem.
The rest of the night passed in a blur of laughter and wine. We didn’t finish until the bar closed down at one. Outside on the street, I called the cab company for Anita, but it went straight to voicemail.
“Oh, no,” Holly said. “Did you take a cab in?”
I nodded. “I figured I’d have some drinks and wouldn’t be able to drive back.”
“Well, that was smart, but the cab company closes at midnight.”
“Crap.” How the heck was I going to get home?
“I’ve got some sober-up potions in my flat, right above here. Let me get one, and then I’ll drive you home.”
Sober-up potions—I should have thought of that. I’d had enough to drink that the idea of going upstairs in my heels sounded like a bad idea, so I told Holly I’d wait for her on the street. The wind was chilly as I huddled in the recessed alcove of the wine bar’s door, but it didn’t take her long to return.
“Here, I brought you one, too.” She handed me the tiny vial before throwing hers back.
I drank mine, grimacing at the bitter taste. Almost immediately, my head felt clearer. “Thanks. This will really help me out tomorrow when I have work to do.”
“They’re the perfect remedy after a girls’ night.” She waved for me to follow her. “Come on, let’s get my car.”