“I will close up. My decision,” he said when Annie started to protest. “Print up a sign for Claire’s birthday. Then you and I will go out and have an early dinner, where you can tell me bad jokes and stories about your latest yoga students.”
With a shaky laugh she eased herself back. “You sure know how to charm a girl.”
“So I have been told.”
“Just stop, Romeo. Wasted effort, here.”
“Not when it left you with a smile.”
He brushed her cheek, then headed to the front door. Annie felt sorry for the woman who fell for him—poor thing wouldn’t stand a chance.
The store phone rang, and she leaned over the counter to grab it.
“Thank you for calling The Wiche’s Broom—how can I help?”
“Just by talking to me, blondie.”
Her heart bumped at the sound of Eric’s voice. “Hey, handsome. I didn’t expect to hear from you until tonight.”
“I wanted to see how you were doing. I know today is Claire’s birthday.” Annie closed her eyes. That beautiful man always remembered—and cared more than she deserved. “Tell me what’s in that head of yours, Annie.”
“Too much,” she whispered. “God, I wish you were here.”
“What if I told you I will be, in about two hours?”
She clutched the counter, her heart pounding. “Say that again.”
“I’ll be there in about two hours.”
He did actually say it.
“Oh, thank God. I thought I was hearing things.” She let herself slide to the floor, knowing that Marcus had locked the door by now, lightheaded and more than a little giddy. “Where?”
“A friend of mine owns a plane, and is making a pit stop out at Orange County. You know where the transient parking is near—”
“I’ll find it.”
His laughter tickled her ear, warmed every inch of her. “I never doubted it. Ask for Jeff Seers at the Atlantic Aviation office—they’ll point you in the right direction. He’s got a friend who works there. I have to go—Jeff’s waving at me.”
“Where are you?”
“Just outside Vegas. We have one more stop before we hit Orange County, so don’t kill yourself getting there. I can wait.”
“You better.” He laughed, and the joy that bubbled through Annie gave her a burst of energy. “See you there, handsome.” She ended the call and bounced up to her feet. “Eric is on his way.”
“So I heard.” He smiled, amusement sparking in those gold-laced green eyes. “It seems today will have some happy memories.”
“Oh—dinner. Marcus—”
“Go. I know how much you have missed him.”
“Oh, I love you—and don’t take that literally.” She ducked around the counter and grabbed her purse. “I’ll see you tom—”
“Take a couple of days. I will be fine here.”
“Okay.” She framed his face with her hands. “Take it literally. I do love you. Thank you, Marcus.” She kissed him, a quick, friendly peck, and still felt the familiar tingle. He had serious attraction mojo—that woman who fell for him was toast. All but skipping now, she headed for the back door. “I’ll call you!”
She threw the door open, feeling better than she had in months. Eric—that beautiful, patient man—understood her more than anyone she knew. Except Claire.
With a quiet sigh, she put the thought of her best friend away. Claire was gone, no matter what her dreams told her. And it was time to accept that.
Time to move on.
FOUR
Claire took her time, navigating each step as carefully as if she walked a high wire. Though the food and the rest had helped, she still felt hollow.
Once she reached the kitchen door, she had to rest. And halfway down the gravel drive, she stopped again, hanging on to the fence that ran the length of the drive, her muscles quivering, her right leg aching. Marcus mended the bone Eric broke in their brief, violent battle, but she never had the time afterward for it to completely heal.
The oversized women’s tennis shoes she borrowed didn’t help matters, but they protected her feet, and gave her a more stable base than if she tried to walk barefoot.
Using the fence as a support, she kept going, feeling a bit better by the time she reached the unpaved road. She took a few deep breaths, clearing the last of the fuzziness, then checked both directions. Signs of civilization—buildings peeking through the oak trees, a billboard welcome—prompted Claire to head to the right. She could find a phone, call Marcus, and have him come and pick her up.
He would tell Annie for her. It was the coward’s way out, but Claire knew she didn’t have the courage yet to face her friend, and what she must think after finding out that Claire was a demon.