The Witch Weekly Part 11

Chapter 17.

I decided to work from home for the rest of the day. Only one article was due this afternoon, and I didnt feel like going into the office all shaken up after my meeting with Dan. Also, I was trying to avoid Anderson, since I didnt have any good news to report on the viral blog post I was supposed to be creating.

Writing one article led into an afternoon full of outlining the rest of the weeks a.s.signments. I pretended that my sudden bout of organization was because I was proactive and ahead of the game for once, but really, I was trying to avoid thinking about my date.

A few hours late after I started writing, a knock sounded so loudly on my door that it startled me right out of my chair. I shot upward, the seat falling to the floor.

Hey, its me. Layla said. I took my dinner break and got the new girl to cover the store for an hour because I couldnt find you, and you were not answering your phone. Is everything okay?

Everythings fine. Im really sorry I didnt get back to you sooner. I glanced guiltily at my phone, which I had discarded on the bed. I tended to mute it when I sank into the zone. Even if it wasnt muted, when I was focused I couldnt hear a gorilla playing the trumpet into my ears. I was in the zone.

Yeah, I can tell. Layla glanced at the mess on my desk. Have you eaten anything since your pretzel?

Pizza.

The way you say pizza I feel like theres a story behind it.

Youre too smart.

Wanna share?

I sighed. I would, but I dont know what to think about anything anymore. Im going to lose my job. Jos in jail, and I have a stupid date with someone I dont know.

Oh, honey, why are you so depressed?

I stood up, walked to the bed, and flopped down with a dramatic flourish. I rarely cried, but at the moment, I was considering it. I normally wasnt this emotional. Maybe it was stress. Id read a few articles that said stress could really wreak havoc on a persons nervous system. I dont know!

Okay, just start talking. Stream of consciousness. Youll feel better afterward, I promise.

You really want to hear?

Uh, yeah. I mean, I got your text from before about Crazy Dan, and then you dont answer your phone for hours. Of course I want to hear! I sent Madrina over here earlier today to make sure you were still alive.

I guess I was more into the zone than I thought.

Ya think? If you didnt even notice your fairy G.o.dmother popping in and out of the bedroom, its safe to say you were distracted.

I groaned into the comforter.

Come on, Layla said. The only time you immerse yourself this much in your work is when you either have the best story in the world, or you dont want to think about anything at all. Since I dont think that youre especially hankering to write another article on how to painlessly remove hair from your arms, Im going to guess its the latter. So will you spare us the time arguing and just tell me what you dont want to think about?

I thunked my head against the pillow.

Look at it this way, Layla said softly. If you tell me, then you dont have to think about it anymore because youll have gotten it off your chest. I can help.

I smiled, fighting back a wave of emotions and tears. I didnt know how she did it, but Layla always brightened a room, even when everything else felt hopeless. Youre smart.

All the more reason to talk to me.

Fine, you asked for it. Sitting up on the bed, I crossed my legs and fluffed up the pillows. I gestured for Layla to join me and she jogged over and did a cannonball onto the bed, just like when we were little.

Living with your friends never got old, I thought. I didnt care what others said, if Layla ever got married she was staying right here"her husband could move into her cottage so long as I got to keep my friend close. We all knew that I wasnt getting married anytime soon, so that wouldnt be a problem.

As I dove into the tale of the days events, Layla oohed and ahhed in sympathy during all the appropriate moments. I explained to her almost everything from the second I left her shop to the present.

Yeah he doesnt really sound like a killer, Layla said when I finished recounting my incident with Dan. I mean, maybe hes a little weird and delusional, and Id consider it if Hank had died from a punch to the face or something, but I just dont see a guy like that working all stealthy-like with poisons and whatnot.

I agree, but Im running out of options. Everyone says Hank was a nice guy who went to work and went home. Ive talked to his ex-girlfriend and his clients. Who else is there left to talk to?

No family?

Not that I found.

Did you tell the chief about Dan yet?

Oh, shoot. I meant to tell him earlier, but in retrospect, its probably good that I didnt. I doubt he wants to hear from me.

Layla raised her eyebrow. Any particular reason why?

What are you talking about?

You left my store with the chief, but you suspiciously didnt fill me in on any details about him. Dont be holding out on me, Rosie!

We just went for stroll and got a pretzel and that was about it.

I dont believe you. Layla reached over and poked me on the shoulder. You told me how many packets of Parmesan cheese you ate with your pizza"I know you remember details, and I want to hear them.

Well, we talked a little bit before I sort of stormed away.

You didnt even finish your pretzel? Layla said You mustve been upset.

I was"for a good cause. He kept saying that Jo is in jail because the evidence points to her being guilty. He kept telling me to stay out of the case. I cant do it, Layla. I cant stay away when an innocent person is locked up.

So you did something stupid.

Yes.

What sort of stupid? Did you throw something at him? Try to handcuff him?

I sped away from the pretzel place and went a little bit too fast. He pulled me over for speeding.

But you always go too fast.

Exactly.

Youre a good driver, and its never bothered him before.

Exactly! But this time, he pulled me over. Or at least, he tried to.

Layla held her breath. You ran away from the cops? I bet you are in big trouble.

Honestly, less trouble than I expected. I think I distracted him from giving me a ticket.

Distraction. I like it. Whats your style?

I went to the clearing where the two of us went as kids. I dont know what happened next; we talked a little bit. It was weird because for once, we werent clawing at each others throats. It was almost like we were getting along again.

That sounds like a good thing.

I think it was, although I cant say for certain. We left on a strange note.

Such as?

Well, he asked me not to look into the case. I didnt want to lie to him. The guy might annoy me more than anyone else in the world, but hes a good man, and I cant lie to his face. So instead, I told him I had a crush on him.

Laylas face registered shock. Wow, that is blunt, even for me.

He heard us talking at the store, and when he asked what I was hiding from him, I completely blanked. Thats the first thing that came to mind.

Is it true?

No, I said, realizing that it sounded a little more defensive than Id intended.

How did he take it?

It distracted him alright, but I didnt stick around long enough to find out much more than that.

Thankfully, Layla didnt press. Let me text the Chief about Dan. Its probably best to try and keep the peace right now, and if he knows you were looking into the case, that might not be good. Ill tell him about the review, and Ill let the Chief figure out the rest"hes smart, h.e.l.l be onto Dan in a second, but he wont suspect you at all. I did find the review first, anyway.

Why are you doing all this for me?

Girl, because you cant have stress lines! Its time we got you ready for your date.

Chapter 18.

Youre ready. Layla nodded in approval. You are going to wow him.

Who is him? I spun around in front of the mirror, taking stock of my attire.

The afternoon had felt sort of like a science project for Layla; she had prodded and poked me until Id yelped. Then shed moved onto my hair where shed tugged and fought and brushed. I think she even growled at my locks once or twice.

The clothes had come last, after the vicious swiping of makeup, and shed made me slip into a cute black skirt that was just short enough for fun and flirty but just long enough that I didnt have to worry about exposing anything inappropriate to the world.

If I were being objective, the end result was quite impressive.

You did a good job, I said, glancing at the swish of the black skirt in the mirror, the tight black tank top that matched. Id insisted on wearing a cute, cropped leather jacket over the top, even though Layla said it made me look like a cheerleader crossed with a biker chick. I was willing to try some new fashion, but I wasnt willing to freeze for it. Thank you for helping me get ready. Again. Hopefully this time well have better results.

Thats not a high bar that youre setting for yourself, Layla said. Shoot for the moon. Lets hope this one ends in a kiss.

A kiss with who?

Stop asking!

Im almost ready to leave! I think I should be allowed to know.

Its going to be a true blind date. You wont know a name until you arrive.

Is it someone I know already?

Do you have on the lingerie set you brought home?

The two of us froze in a stare-off before I gave her a grudging nod.

Good, she said. Then youre ready.

I inhaled a deep breath and pushed my hair out of my eyes. Layla had taken far too long on my hair. I liked a high ponytail just fine; functional, sleek, and chic. However, Layla told me that this flirty black skirt called for something more wild. Apparently my hair was wild right now in all of its curly glory.

Get going. Layla pinched me and pointed towards the door. Youre stalling. You never look at yourself in the mirror this long.

Of course Im stalling. I dont know who Im meeting.

Drive to the Forest of Fairies. Take a right on the frontage road and youll find the meeting place just on the edge of the clearing.

This sounds dangerous, I muttered. This is how horror movies start. Innocent girl meets cute guy outside of forest. Then cute guy drags innocent girl into the forest and the world never hears from her again.

Layla tsked. I know this guy personally, and I trust him. Hes well known in the community. Youll be safe. Do you really think Id send you on a date with a stranger?

I exhaled a long sigh. Fine.

But just in case, take this. Layla shoved a tiny tube at me that resembled the gloss shed swiped on my lips. Red on the outside, a silver top, and liquid on the inside of the vial. It never hurts to be prepared.

Is this lip gloss? I started to twist off the lid, but Layla leapt towards me, waving her hands like she was stopping a fire.

Dont do that! she said, almost out of breath as she snapped the lid back shut. If you uncork this vial itll knock out anyone within a few feet of the user.

Including myself?

You didnt let me finish. Layla said. She pulled out another tube, this one light pink in color but otherwise identical to the red one. Here is the antidote.

I held up both vials of gloss. Pink is cute, red is dangerous.