Cutthroat Cupcakes by Cate Lawley

Author:Cate Lawley [Lawley, Cate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B08DFKT9XP
Published: 2020-09-01T23:00:00+00:00

11

The problem with making bold statements and then running away like a teenage boy who’s passed gas at the dinner table during a first date?

Just like that flatulent teen, you have to go back.

But not right away.

I washed my hands, dried them thoroughly, checked my teeth, considered other stalling tactics, and finally landed on ordering a drink.

I’d never actually made it to the counter at Magic Beans to order.

Drinks always appeared, having been intuited by a staff member with a “feel” for coffee, or were ordered from passing staff as they bussed tables.

As I approached the counter, I realized I didn’t have my purse. But Hanna was working, and she was one of the witchy crowd. Actually, I was fairly certain that while customers might be a mix of magical and nonmagical, all of the staff were of the witch variety.

Hanna smiled. She seemed more comfortable in her skin than earlier. Maybe she was getting into the rhythm of working at Magic Beans.

Although she still didn’t make eye contact. I’d bet she could describe my left earlobe in precise detail.

“You’re settling in?” I asked.

She rolled her lips together, then nodded.

If I was reading her body language correctly—and I was no slouch in that department—she’d just bitten back a comment.

“Is everything okay?”

She tilted her head. “Why do you ask?” She looked around the almost empty store, as if searching for a flaw. As if I’d spotted some failure on her part.

But the seating area had been bussed and wiped down, the trash wasn’t yet ready to go out, and the few lingering customers appeared relaxed and happy. I couldn’t even imagine why she’d think I was being critical.

I flashed a friendly smile, trying to reassure her. “No reason. You make fantastic coffee drinks. Magic Beans is lucky to have you.”

She smiled, again, not quite meeting my gaze. She really was terribly shy. “Maybe an Italian soda?”

I hadn’t actually been craving a drink, just looking for a way to delay returning to the office, but that sounded perfect. I was about to tell her light on the syrup but stopped myself and nodded.

Giving instructions to someone who created the perfect drink every time was insulting, and I didn’t want Hanna to think I didn’t value her skills or trust her judgment.

When she handed me the drink—Italian soda, light raspberry syrup—she said, “Everything’s going well with the investigation?”

Bastian and I hadn’t made time to discuss the ins and outs of investigative protocols. For example, how secretive was our investigation? And did all Magic Beans staff know how the case was progressing, or just Miles and Sabrina?

Apparently, I dithered too long, because Hanna said, “Sorry! It’s just that Miles has been so busy since he hired me, and I know you’re all working on the murder case.”

“Cases. There are two.” Which we actually were only guessing at this point, so I added, “Maybe. But you know Miles; he’s a research whiz. He’ll untangle any connections between the two cases—if there are any.”

She nodded, but

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