Don't Hex and Drive (Stay a Spell #2) - Juliette Cross Page 0,30
was. I hated dealing with customers like this. Okay, I didn’t care much for dealing with customers at all.
My heart beat faster as I prepared to handle this, which I didn’t want to do. It just made me nervous. This is why Clara handled the front of the house.
“Excuse me,” I said, approaching the blonde. “Can I help you with something?”
I was aware my polite voice hadn’t made an appearance and I came across a little aggressive. I was so shitty at this. My palms were actually sweating.
“It’s okay, Isadora,” said Clara, coming up beside me and putting a hand on my back, washing me with a wave of her joy spell. She fed it into me like I fed healing into Archie and the other animals.
I met her gaze and gave her my relieved thank-you-I-love-you expression. She smiled wider.
“I can help these ladies. Besides, I think someone is here for you.” She nodded toward the shop door.
Standing just inside with his hands in his pockets was Devraj, taking in the whole scene. How long had he been there?
“Thanks, Clara,” I whispered, then headed to the register to pull out my handbag from the cabinet beneath.
And no, I didn’t miss those women ogling Devraj, maybe even drooling, as I swept toward him and the door.
“Was passing by right at four o’clock. Thought I’d walk you.”
“That’s fine,” I said, rushing past him. Just glad to get out of there.
He followed and fell into step beside me.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”
He arched a puzzled expression down at me. “You seemed a little nervous back there.”
“Did I?”
How did I explain my social anxiety to someone who thrived off of fame and attention, who entertained strangers in bars with his wild stories?
“Hmm,” was all he responded with.
I didn’t know what that meant, and I wasn’t about to spill all of my little insecurities or quirks, so we remained silent the short walk to his front porch. But I couldn’t help but feel a warmth spread in my chest at his obvious concern. It didn’t seem false, but completely sincere. Could there be more to this guy than I first thought?
“Would you like to come in?” he asked as he unlocked the door.
He was wearing the sexy smile now.
Danger, Isadora. Danger.
“No. I’m good. I’ll wait right here.”
His smile didn’t diminish. If anything, it brightened at my resistance. He gestured toward the cushioned bench on his porch.
So I settled onto the bench and waited. And waited. A long time for him to just pick up a package and bring it out to me. Right when I was about to stand and knock to find out what was taking so long, he stepped out holding two cups of what smelled like spiced tea.
He handed one to me. “I thought you might like some tea.”
The dainty cups with silver trim set on matching saucers looked too small in his long-fingered hands. I noticed he wore a thick silver band on his index finger of one hand and a gold cuff bracelet with black beading on his opposite wrist.
I was about to protest and tell him I just wanted to pick up my package and head home, but that would be pretty rude. Besides, the tea smelled divine. All that I managed to say was, “It’s been a long day.” It definitely sounded like a complaint.
He tilted his head slightly, raising his brow and giving me a genuinely compassionate look. “I think this chai might hit the spot after a long day.”
Dammit! I couldn’t dislike this guy when he was kind. And made me tea! As a matter of fact, all my reasons for disliking him in the first place seemed to vanish more rapidly the longer I was in his company.
I was the only tea drinker in the house except when someone needed my healing brews, so to have a cup I didn’t make myself was a rare occasion indeed.
I was still uncomfortable in his presence. My back was stiff from sitting so straight and my neck was suddenly a little sweaty. I still wasn’t sure why he was trying to spend time with me, but he was being kind. And I wasn’t a rude asshole.
So I tried to relax just a little and took a deep sip of the chai. Mmm. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and ginger and sweetened with honey. “It’s very good.”
He took a seat on the opposite side of the bench, not too close. “I’m pleased to hear you say so.”