The Hidden Grimoire by Karla Brandenburg (pride and prejudice read TXT) 📕

“So you make the first move. Remind him what a spectacular kisser you were, as evidenced by the fact he kept coming back for more. The more grown-up version of the man might decide he isn’t willing to go without those kisses even one more day.”

She laughed. “I tell you what, I didn’t get my kiss goodnight after we ran into Mrs. Hazelton, and I was really looking forward to one.”

Did I want to share with her how Kyle and I had gotten past our breakup with a booty call? Unplanned, but a reminder a physical connection can sometimes push you over the final hurdle.

I glanced out the window, where Lucas came out of the five-and-dime across the street. “You want a kiss, now’s your chance,” I said.

“What do you mean?”

I stepped outside the store, calling to Lucas telepathically. He stopped, glanced around looking for what had garnered his attention, saw me and waved. I motioned him toward the store.

“Brynn.” Cassandra whispered a warning behind my shoulder.

“Go in the back,” I told her. “I think you might need help getting something off a shelf that you can’t reach.”

She drew a sharp intake of air, face flushed, and scurried to the back room. Part of me worried she’d run out the back door.

“Hey, Brynn,” Lucas said. “I only have a minute. I’m on my lunch hour.” He looked through the window—for Cassandra? “What can I do for you?”

I sized him up, assessing his frame at about six-foot-three. “Cassandra and I were trying to get something off a shelf in the backroom and neither of us is tall enough. You think you can lend a hand quick?”

“I can give it a try.”

He followed me into the shop and set his bag on the counter.

“If you go right on back, Cassandra can show you where.”

She appeared, a sheepish look on her face, blushing prettily.

“Show me what you need,” he said, following her into the backroom.

I moved discreetly toward the windows, merchandising her clothing and trying not to listen, not that there was anything to hear.

Ten minutes later, Lucas reappeared, his mouth red with Cassandra’s lipstick and his cheeks blotchy. He straightened his glasses, adjusted his pea coat, and gave me a shy smile. “I think she got what she was looking for,” he said with one last glance over his shoulder before he left.

Cassandra followed a moment later, readjusting the nearly-sheer white blouse she wore over a navy blue bralette. “That was enlightening,” she said.

“Good enlightening, or bad enlightening? He’s wearing your lipstick, by the way.”

She laughed. “Oh, definitely good enlightening. He hasn’t forgotten how to kiss, and he’s learned a few new tricks since high school.” She winked. “He wants to go out tonight, and he said he doesn’t care who we see or what they say.” Cassandra gave a squeal. “He says he wanted me to be his girl ever since high school, but never felt like it was the right time. He’s tired of waiting.”

I hugged her. “Good luck. If nothing else, you can get him out of your system, huh?”

“I have no intention of letting him go. Nobody else kisses like he does. I can’t wait to find out what other skills he has.” She gave me another wink and settled behind her sewing machine.

Toward the end of the day, she got fluttery and I sent her off to prepare for her date while I started my closing routine. Before I locked the door, the bell announced one more customer.

Jason.

Chapter 30

“I’m closing,” I told Jason. “Unless you wanted to buy something?”

His facial tic indicated he was irritated—no surprise.

I tilted my head, waiting for him to tell me what I’d done wrong today.

“Thank you for finding Georgia,” he said.

I raised my eyebrows, surprised. “No matter what you think or believe, I do value family.”

Jason looked away, his hands tightened into fists, leading me to believe he hadn’t come of his own accord, but because someone had asked him to.

“Apparently Jeannine trusts you. More than she trusts me.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Because whatever secret you two share, she wasn’t willing to tell me.”

The baby. “I was there when it happened. Otherwise, I’m sure I wouldn’t know, either. You were already long gone. I expect, with time, she’ll be able to talk to you about it.”

His face twitched again. No, he wasn’t happy. “I told Sharon not to keep your appointment tonight.”

Ah, now we were getting to the reason for his visit. “And if she wants to talk to me? She’s the one who asked for the meeting. But since you’re here, what the fuck, Jason?”

His eyes widened. Mission accomplished. I’d gotten his attention.

Hands on hips, I leaned toward him. “Forget the fact I haven’t done anything bad to you. Ever. Forget the fact I’ve cared for your daughter and she remains unscathed by the experience.” I stopped short of pointing out how he’d frightened her every time he vented his anger.

“I asked you to stay away from my family.”

“Apparently they didn’t get the message. I didn’t seek them out, Jason. They came to me. And so did Sharon. What game are you playing at? If you aren’t seeing Sharon anymore, why do you keep including her in your life?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but we’re still friends. The dating part was a long time ago. Before LeAnne.”

“You keep her around so you have an adoring public? Is that it?”

“You’ve got it all wrong. Our relationship ended years ago.”

“Not for her, it didn’t, and if you aren’t willing to let her go, I suspect not for you, either. Yet here you are, with a wife and two children and the old girlfriend tagging along. Not a good look, Cousin.”

“You’re going to lecture me on morality? You? A witch?”

I pinched my fingers into an ‘L’ the way Hannah had taught me, calling on the white light to cover my temper. In a burst, I saw his fear.

“What about Georgia?” I said. “Do you plan to disown your own