Don't Hex and Drive (Stay a Spell #2) - Juliette Cross Page 0,77

he asked, voice rumbling low.

I started walking away before he could shoot an accusing look my way.

“Yeah. I’m going to set her up on Zapp.”

“What’s Zapp?” he asked, voice even but not so friendly.

“Come see, Iz,” she called me over as they set the bowls at the end of the serving table.

I cringed, wishing she’d drop it as I walked over. She seemed not to be aware of my discomfort as she pulled her phone from her back pocket and opened the app on her phone, facing it where he and I both could see since he’d sidled up on my left.

“See? It’s even got boxes where you check which kind of supernaturals you’d like to date.”

I noticed she’d checked the boxes for witches/warlocks, vampires, and even grim reapers. But not werewolves. Of course, Jules didn’t like us socializing with werewolves. Or at least, she hadn’t. Now that Mateo and Evie were practically married and his cousin Nico was a stable part of our nightlife scene at the Cauldron, she’d changed her mind about all werewolves being unstable monsters. They were the only two we knew, though.

“And then there’s the personality questions and so on and so forth.” Violet sucked in a gasping breath and beamed her excited eyes at me. With her hair a vibrant blue, her eyes looked almost purple when she lit up like that. “Oh, Isadora. I know the perfect picture to use for your profile.”

“We can deal with this later,” I said gruffly.

She clicked off the app and winked at me. “Gotcha.”

Devraj hovered close, seeming to want to talk to me, but I kept my gaze purposely averted. I didn’t want to see a look of disappointment or hurt in his eyes. It was for our own good. Or at least mine. I knew myself enough to understand that I couldn’t go further with him without wanting more than he was ready to give me. Or could give me.

“I win!” screamed Livvy, bouncing off the barstool and dancing around in a circle. Then she broke out into the chorus of “Single Ladies” while Finnie buried his head in his hands.

She propped one hand on her curvaceous hip covered in black yoga pants with tiny crystal balls on them. She wore her favorite hot pink tank top with the phrase I’m not bossy, I’m the queen. A tilted crown was etched in the middle with rhinestone jewels. Evie had given it to her last Christmas, and Livvy wore it every chance she could when she wasn’t in work mode. Livvy flicked the fingers of her left hand in the air as she sang.

She finally stopped on a laugh, “Don’t worry, Finnie boy. I’ll be your backup singer.”

“Me too, me too!” said Clara, hopping over to join them. “You have to have two backup singers, Finnie. You can’t have one. Right, Livvy?”

Livvy gave me the wide-eyed oh-no look. I stifled a laugh, easing toward the table next to Evie. Clara’s enthusiasm for singing far outweighed her talent. Livvy then smoothed her face before wrapping an arm around Clara’s shoulders and squeezed her tight. “Of course, he does. We’ll be your dynamic duo backup singers.”

“It’s all right,” Charlie comforted Finnie. “There’s a first time for everything.”

Finnie lifted his head from his hands finally, his face practically purple with his deep blush. “Even wearing drag?”

“Especially wearing drag,” said Charlie, patting Finnie on the head. “Just ask JJ.”

JJ’s scowl deepened, and even through his trim beard, I could see him clenching his jaw.

“JJ!” called Jules from the open doorway of the kitchen. JJ was the official heavy pot carrier in the house, so that meant dinner was ready.

He shoved off the bar and headed for the kitchen.

“Saved by the dinner bell,” Charlie sang.

JJ flipped him off over his shoulder and kept walking. Charlie just laughed.

“Wait! Where’d you come from?” Violet had her hands propped on her hips as she glared at the werewolf across from Mateo. Nico was sitting, pretty as you please.

“From my apartment,” he answered dryly.

“No shit,” snapped Violet. “I mean, who asked you?”

“Evie.”

“Stop being rude, Violet,” said Evie, standing from Mateo’s lap. “Nico is now my cousin-in-law.”

“Y’all aren’t married,” she accused, scowling at her.

Mateo stood and spread a hand on Evie’s hip from behind her. “Not yet,” he said evenly.

“Sorry if my presence bothers you,” crooned Nico. His voice was the stuff of fantasies. His smoldering grin tipped his mouth up wickedly.

“No, you’re not,” Violet said, scowling.

“Not one bit.” He bit his bottom lip, seeming to enjoy