her hands could fill something she made with her emotions. Like love, or hope. All the good things that families and friends shared around a table of food.
“Wouldn’t that be wonderful if it were true? If people I love could taste the things I want for them? Or if guests at a wedding could taste the love in the cake?” Zuri sighed.
“Except for those little bastard squirrels harassing my birds. Little shits. I give them their own feeder. I give them water. I brush their tails if they get matted or tumble through a briar patch, and this is the thanks I get?”
The birds sang back at her, and she just nodded at them. “What are you waiting for? Go on. I’m sure the squirrels won’t bother you now that you’ve finished your cupcake,” Petty said.
“I’m going. I’m going. Geez.” Zuri gathered up her things. “But don’t forget to send me the Markhoff file. I want to be prepared tomorrow.”
“As if we’d forget,” Bluebonnet said. “Go on.”
Zuri headed out of the shop and followed the pink stone path toward the B and B. She wondered if she’d see Phillip again. She wouldn’t mind another dose of drinking chocolate and conversation.
For a moment, she considered the godmothers’ suggestion.
Her body screamed yes.
Her heart knew it was a bad idea.
Phillip was incredibly handsome, polite . . . and his hands. Dear God, his hands. She knew he was probably richer than Midas, but he had the hands of a workingman. They were broad, and calloused, and they looked strong. She couldn’t help but imagine what they’d feel like on her body.
It was his smile, really. Not the big, toothy grin, but that sort of half smirk that just made her panties fall off all by themselves.
No, she really shouldn’t be having these kinds of thoughts about her landlord.
Oh dear. That wasn’t the thought to help her, either, because she suddenly had a lot of ideas about paying rent.
Which was stupid, because she didn’t pay rent. It was part of her pay from FGI.
At least, she consoled herself, she was able to think about intimacies with another man after what happened with Alec. That was a plus.
Her thoughts took a more serious turn. Jonquil was right. She hadn’t really allowed herself the time or the space to grieve Alec. Not just Alec, but her hopes and dreams. The future she’d let herself imagine with him. It was about letting go of more than just a relationship. It was about part and parcel of all that came with the relationship.
Zuri wandered up to the fountain and she saw the frog was in his usual place.
He looked at her.
She looked at him.
Then his long tongue flicked out like a whip, and he ate a butterfly.
“Ugh, no. I just can’t.”
The frog cocked his head to the opposite side, as if to answer her.
It occurred to her the animals in Ever After were unlike any she’d seen before. Perhaps because the town was so in tune with nature and people walked everywhere. They were used to each other.
She sat on the side of the fountain and pulled out her phone, looking at the text from Alec.
She texted back: Why?
Her phone rang immediately.
She debated not answering it. Zuri was sure her sister would tell her she could get all the closure she needed by herself.
Zuri swiped to answer the call, but she didn’t speak.
“Zuri? Are you there?”
The sound of his voice was familiar and foreign at the same time. Once upon a time, she’d been ecstatic to hear his voice. Now, she didn’t feel much of anything. She’d thought it would hurt, or would at least be bittersweet.
“Yeah, I’m here, Alec.”
“Can we get together and talk tonight?”
“We’re talking now.”
“I have some things to say to you that I should say in person.”
When she didn’t answer, he spoke again. “I’m sure you have some things to say to me, and I owe you the opportunity to say them in person if you want to.”
Did she want to?
“Tonight isn’t good. I’m working.”
“I’m leaving early tomorrow. One of my fraternity brothers is getting married. So I’ll be gone for a few weeks.”
A few weeks? That sounded like a lie. “It doesn’t take a few weeks to get married, Alec. Try again.”
“I understand why you don’t trust me. It’s going to be one of those destination weddings, and everyone is invited to come for the planning through to the wedding. Since I’m the best man, I have to be there. At least tell