Easy Magic (Boudreaux #5)

“I’m not telling you,” she says, shaking her head. “This is hers to tell, and she will.”


“Why are you even bringing this up?”

“Because I love you. And I really like her. I like her for you.”

“Charly, we’ve only been on one date.”

“But the chemistry is there,” she says, speaking it aloud before I can. “All I’m trying to say is, if you don’t see things with Mallory going long-term, if you’re just trying to get into her pants, let her down now rather than later.”

“We’ve been on one date,” I remind her again. “I’m not ready to pop the question.”

“No, but you’re a smart man, Beau. You know already if this is someone you actually have an affection for, or if you just want to fuck her seven ways to Sunday.”

“Such a lady,” I mutter, not entirely comfortable having this conversation with my own sister.

“Have you talked to her?”

“No. It’s been a busy week at the office.”

“But you sent her flowers,” she says with a smile.

“Yes.”

“What did the card say?”

I narrow my eyes at my sister and consider ignoring this question altogether, but she’ll just keep bugging the shit out of me until I tell.

“Do you like me, check yes or no.”

She blinks rapidly, then dissolves into a fit of giggles.

“Oh my God, Beau. Are you seven?”

“I think it’s funny.”

“You’re the COO of a billion dollar corporation and you sent her that card?”

“I’m a human being,” I reply. “And she’ll think it’s funny.”

“Well, I bet she hasn’t received a note like that since grade school.” She shakes her head, tossing me a smile full of humor. “You’ll have to let me know how she replies.”

“No way.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re nosy.” I reach across the table and tap her nose. “And it’s none of your business.”

“You’re no fun.”

***

I want to see her. Right now.

On my way home from the office, I step into her shop rather than go upstairs. It’s only a few minutes before closing, and the store is empty of patrons.

In fact, I don’t see anyone here at all when I first walk in.

Her shop is small, but cute. Not cramped. She’s made it feel homey with burning candles and a plate of cookies out for her customers. I take one of the peanut butter and pop the whole thing in my mouth.

Delicious.

“I thought I heard someone come in,” Mallory says and I spin around and almost choke on the cookie at the sight of her.

Her red hair is twisted up again, and I want nothing more than to shake it loose and brush my fingers through it.

“Your cookies are delicious.” I brush the crumbs off my fingers. “Did you make them?”

“No, Lena’s grandmother made them,” she says with a smile. “They’re supposed to bring you luck.”

“Really?”

She just folds her hands at her waist, as if she’s not sure what to do with them, and continues to smile at me. Then she jumps and holds her finger up.

“Oh! Hold on, I have something for you.” She disappears into her office for a moment, then comes back holding a little white card out for me.

“You checked yes,” I murmur, suddenly embarrassed for sending this to her.

“I did. And I’m going to need that back, please.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m keeping it forever,” she says, as if I should have just known that. “I waited almost thirty years for a boy to send me this note.”

“Well, then, here you go.” I pass it back to her and she tucks it in the back pocket of her black jeans. “Do you have plans tonight?”

“I have a date with a tub of ice cream and my television.”

“Well, I don’t know if I can compete with that, but I’d like to take you somewhere.”

Her eyebrows climb into her hairline. “Back to your house?”

I smile, remembering how great it was to see her in my place. She looked at home there, and I wanted to boost her up against the wall and make her scream my name.

“Unfortunately, not tonight. Somewhere else.”

“I suppose the ice cream can wait.” She grins. “Shall we go now? I was about to close anyway.”

“Perfect.”

She gathers her things, locks the door, and turns to me. “Now what?”

“We’re going to walk,” I reply and take her hand in mine, satisfied that the stiffness that usually comes with physical contact is brief. She squeezes my fingers. “Have you been to The Odyssey?”

“Several times.” She nods happily. “Charly, Van, Kate, and I go there for happy hour sometimes.”

“Well, Declan is playing there tonight. I thought we could listen to him for a bit.”

“I’ve never heard him,” Mallory says. “I’d love to listen. I hear he’s great.”

“That he is.”

“Do you have musical talent too?” She smiles up at me as I open the door to The Odyssey for her.

“No, ma’am. Declan got all of that talent in the family.”

We weave our way through the tall tables and chairs. It’s busy, but not packed, at least not yet.

When we reach the bar, Callie, the owner of the bar and Declan’s wife, runs out to greet us.

“This is a sweet surprise,” she says and hugs Mallory tightly.

Mallory doesn’t stiffen, or give any indication that she’s uncomfortable at all. Which makes me think again that she must have been hurt at some point by a man. It’s the only thing that makes sense.

“What are y’all doing in here?” Callie asks.

“Beau suggested we come in to listen to Declan,” Mallory says.

“I’m so glad you did,” Callie replies and waves at Declan, who is on the stage checking the sound. He climbs down and walks over to us. “Declan, this is my friend Mallory.”

“We’ve met,” he says and offers his hand to Mallory who pauses for just a moment before shaking it. “How is the flood?”

“Gone, thank goodness,” Mallory says. “We caught it fast enough that it didn’t do too much damage.”

“Good.” Declan smiles and wraps his arm around Callie’s shoulders. “Are you sticking around for the set?”

“We are,” I reply.

“So, I’m sorry to be so blunt, but that’s just me,” Callie says with a smile. “Are y’all on a date?”

Mallory glances up at me and cocks a brow, and I can’t help but laugh.

“If it needs a label, then I guess so,” I reply.

“Oh, that’s so great!” Callie smiles widely and hugs Mallory again. “Oh, and I can’t wait for our girls’ night!”

Mallory quickly glances up at me, and then says, “Which is for girls only, and the guys don’t get to know what we’re doing.”

“Is it a state secret?” I ask and tuck her soft hair behind her ear. My god, I can’t stop touching her. I want to explore every inch of her.

“It’s girls’ night,” Callie replies, as if that explains it all.

“We could tell you, but then we’d have to kill you,” Mal adds.

“You won’t even give me just a hint?”

“No.” Mal shakes her head, but the smile on her beautiful lips says she’s enjoying this very much.

“What if I demand that you tell me?”