of the hallway meaning his body brushed mine. Each touch sent a jolt of awareness through me. If he bumped me just a bit harder, I might come before we reached the stairs. I swore my whole body was clenched so tightly, it was a wonder I didn’t combust.
“Cursed? Your grandma said something about it leading you to your fiancé?”
“When did you talk to my grandma about me?”
“The first night of the cruise, when she told me to stay away from you.”
“I can’t believe she’s meddling in my business,” I huffed. “And after what she already did. Grandma is the one who cursed my necklace.”
“How bad can it be? I got the impression she’s fond of you.”
“She is. Grandma loves me tons, but she’s also a meddling biddy, which is why she stole my locket and placed a love spell on it.”
“Hardly a curse.”
“Says the guy who doesn’t have his grandma trying to set him up with a stranger.”
He snickered. “Why not use a dating service if you’re hard-up?”
My lips pressed into a thin line. “It’s not that I can’t find a guy on my own. Grandma just thinks I’m being too picky and taking too long.”
“Sounds familiar.” He pitched his voice when he next said, “You’re not getting any younger, Ozzie, so don’t be too picky, but be picky enough because you know, the blood.” He rolled his eyes.
My lips twitched. “The dark lord forbid I give her a grandbaby with the wrong kind of genes. Bad enough my mother fell for a pirate. Which is why Grandma cast a spell to help me choose the right mate.”
“So, the fellow from last night is your mate?”
I shook my head. “The pirate doesn’t have the locket anymore.”
“Because he tossed it overboard, and that sea monster got it. And came to get you. Meaning, for a moment, he was supposed to be your fiancé. But then the creature returned it to the ship. So, who has it now?”
I eyed him. “You’re the mighty tracker. You tell me.” Because while my pulse still raced, it told me nothing more. Not a direction or a floor to go looking, which meant I needed Oz’s help.
He rolled his impressively broad shoulders. “I haven’t had a chance to locate the target since it got returned. My sister wanted to have a chat.”
The grimace on his face brought a smirk to mine. “She didn’t look too happy.”
“She hasn’t been happy in months. I swear this wedding business has turned her into a monster. Did you know she expects me to wear shorts for the ceremony? Khaki shorts.” Whispered as if it were the worst thing possible.
“Afraid to show off your pasty legs?” Which I already knew to be a lie. I’d seen him naked. His tan went all over. Without lines. As if he spent lots of time outdoors, nude.
“Real men don’t wear shorts and loafers and a collared shirt.”
“You’ll look handsome, I bet.” I fed his annoyance, and when he growled, I laughed.
A full-throated chuckle that had him staring at me. Then smiling. “You should do that more often.”
“What, insult you?”
“Laugh. Smile. Look happy.” We emerged onto a lower deck, and a warm breeze struck my cheek along with a ray of sun.
My light mood was having an effect. “I’m happy.” I said it with surprise.
“If you say so. According to your grandmother, you need a mate.”
I opened my mouth to lie, which would have totally pleased the dark lord if he listened. But instead, I did something odd. I told the truth. “I don’t know if I need a mate, but Grandma’s right. I need something more in my life. I’m content, I have a home, my health, my magic. I had a job until Grandma got me fired so she could take me on this trip. But I’m sure I can find another. Technically, I’ve got everything I need to be happy.”
“No boyfriend, though.”
“Who says I need a man to be complete?”
“My mother. Although, in my case, she’s told me I need a mate to make sure I eat right and get my hair cut so it doesn’t go shaggy.”
“Who can mow the lawn because the neighbors can’t see me using magic on the lawnmower. And carry out the trash.” I grinned as I deliberately threw traditionally masculine roles at him.
“You can hire someone for that,” he teased. “I, on the other hand, need a mate to ensure I don’t forget presents for birthdays and to buy me clothes.”
“What’s wrong with your clothes?”
“They’re