“Word around town is that your food has magic in it. What’s the secret? Drugs?”
“It’s a superpower. I’d tell you, but it comes from within and is derived from great wisdom and maturity. Obviously, you’re not there yet.”
“Obviously. Still a bit rough around the edges. Must be why we get along so well,” he said, leaning against the counter and staring at her with eyes that held an invitation, a dare. It was always the verbal sparring with him.
She could smell a heady mixture of shaving cream and cologne, and was torn between running out of the kitchen and getting as close to that scent as possible. It was woodsy and sweet and …
Maybe she could give in. Just once. That’s it. And then she could go back to hating him. Not love. But a meeting of needs. That would be safe enough.
Without thinking, her body took a step toward him, as though it couldn’t stand not to. The space around them shrunk, pressing in on all sides. His breathing turned heavy, and when she looked up to his face, his eyes had darkened to a stormy sea.
He stood perfectly still.
Warmth spread from her cheeks down to her neck, and she caught herself leaning closer without meaning to—when suddenly all of the burners on the stove behind them ignited at once.
Jake jumped back and yelped in surprise.
“What in the world?” he cried, automatically pushing Sadie behind him and shielding her with his outstretched arms. “This place must not be up to code. That’s a fire hazard!”
Sadie laughed shakily and stepped around him. Her hands trembled as she turned the knobs, and the flames went out.
“I’ll just start taking these out,” he said, his brows furrowed and eyes darting around as though other fires might spring up at any moment. Sadie had always thought Jake might have an inkling of her abilities, but either he hadn’t seen them in action long enough, or maybe she credited him with more awareness than he deserved.
She took a deep, steadying breath after he left. Her body’s memory wanted to lean into him a lot further than she had. Her lips wanted to trace his jawline with lingering kisses as they had when she was a teenager. But Jake broke promises like cinnamon sticks. It was, she realized, perhaps too dangerous of a gamble. Even if her curse wasn’t in play. Even if Gigi wasn’t sick. It would be too much of a risk.
She made a beeline for Raquel, who was speaking with Alice Grossman, an elderly woman who pretended she was practically deaf but actually had the hearing of a bat.
“You have to sit with me,” Sadie hissed, grabbing Raquel’s arm.
“Excuse me, Mrs. Grossman,” Raquel said at a deafening volume, and then steered Sadie away. “My very rude friend is in need of assistance.”
“God bless you,” Mrs. Grossman shouted, nodding like a bobblehead on a bumpy road.
“Sit with me,” Sadie said again, her eyes scanning the sanctuary.
“I’m working in the nursery today,” Raquel said, frowning. “What’s your problem? Why are you being so weird?”
Just then Raquel’s eyes swiveled to the entryway of the foyer, where Jake was entering.
“Ugh, there’s the problem. Yours, not mine.” She threw several yards of shade in Jake’s direction.
“I need a buffer!” Sadie hissed as Jake walked over.
“Jake,” Raquel addressed him, nodding with a tight-lipped smile.
“Good to see you too, Raquel,” Jake said in a tone that meant he expected every ounce of coldness from her. “How’ve you been? What are you up to these days?”
“Oh, you know, teaching music at the high school, taking care of my cat. Trying to decide what kind of blood is easiest to wash off the stage floor. Living my best life.”
“Always go with water based,” Jake said evenly.
“Do I even want to know how you know that?” Raquel’s eyes narrowed.
“Pranks.” He shrugged. “What about you and Seth? You two finally together?”
“What?” Sadie demanded in a sharp tone.
“Where is Seth, by the way?” he asked Sadie. “I haven’t seen him around yet. You two are usually inseparable.”
“He’s not here,” Raquel answered for her. “And what exactly are you doing back here, anyway?” Raquel asked with a warning look toward Sadie.
“Seems to be the question around town these days. Really, I just missed Gigi Marie’s cooking.”
“She’s not even here right now. You don’t have to suck up if she can’t hear you,” Sadie said, rolling her eyes.