I got all the zeroes right."
"I can't take this. You're my friend."
And just like that, they were at the part that really mattered. The part that Josh had tried to talk her out of, and she'd insisted was her right. She was clear on the risks. And clear on the caliber of people she was putting her money behind.
Elsie met Lizard's gaze, eyebrow raised. "So you're only going to make old, dusty guys in suits richer? Not your friends?"
Lizard was pressed back into the wall. "It might not work. Maybe Josh is wrong and nobody will buy my stupid maps and we'll get run out of town. The suit guys are used to taking risks and watching their money evaporate."
Elsie let some of her newfound passion loose. "I've seen your maps and how smart you are and how you know exactly the right place for someone's home." She laid down the knife. Stabbing it for emphasis probably wasn't helping. Her eyes, however, gave her roommate no room at all for wiggling. "The only way you will fail at this is if you want to."
She pushed the check toward Lizard. "I have fifty-three thousand dollars that says you have more guts than that."
She got up from the table, picked up her shoes, and using every ounce of stage presence she'd learned from Vero, made a grand, sweeping exit. To the loud sound of Jennie's mental applause ringing in her ears.
It had been worth fifty-three thousand dollars just for that moment of triumph.
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To: veronica.liantro@witchlight.org
From: Jennie Adams
Subject: Elsie's finest hour.
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Dear Vero,
Why do the stupid things always come back to bite you?
Ironically, Lizard seems more upset that I know rich men in suits than that I sat Josh down to check him out, but I suspect she simply hasn't thought about what the latter implies yet. I still say that young man has the potential to be a lot more than a business partner.
But I'm smart enough to duck for the cover he has provided with his multi-million-dollar offer. He knows how to get a woman's attention.
Jamie has checked out his business credentials (yes, we are apparently hopelessly addicted to meddling). He said he's fairly annoyed he's not already one of Josh's investors, and they're discussing some kind of programming-geek partnership on his current venture. Which is Jamie-speak for "approved."
You'd think Josh's offer would be the highlight of the day, but it pales in comparison to the magic that just happened in my kitchen. Last night, I watched Lizard's innate generosity help Elsie find the bravery she needed to take the safety net of her old persona and toss it in the flames.
And this morning, Elsie limped into my kitchen, threw half her life savings on the table, and dared Lizard to succeed.
It is too soon to know if it worked - but it was the gutsiest act of love I've seen in a long time, and I live in a world where bravery and love are everyday things.
We are in a rare moment, I think - and not quite done. I'm flying purely on instinct here, but there comes a time in every photo shoot when the right pictures come, and they generally come fast and furious, all in a clump. I think we've taken the first couple of pictures in that clump now.
My gut says there are more.
And my gut says I'm not the one to find them. Lizard and Elsie have become WitchLight for each other now. I want to give them a chance to really run with it.
Our weekly meeting is tomorrow morning. And I have one of those ideas that is either genius or pure folly.
Wish me luck,
Jennie
Chapter 22
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To: jennie.adams@bythelight.com
From: Vero Liantro
Subject: Re: Elsie's finest hour.
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Sweet Jennie,
Every witch needs her moments of folly, but we don't believe this will be one of yours. The throwing off of chains is easiest when a person