Flirting Under a Full Moon - By Ashlyn Chase Page 0,75
attached. Her own dating life wasn’t much better. She’d been dumped in just about every way—in person, over the phone, stood up, text message…and for about every reason a creative guy could think of.
Her latest had said he was being transferred to Switzerland and didn’t see the point in carrying on a long-distance relationship. Ouch.
“Okay. I get it. Nick is part of your life, and it’s nice to have somebody to count on besides me.”
“Can I still count on you?”
Angie’s spine stiffened. “What do you mean? Just because I had to get away and think over a life-altering piece of information, you can’t count on me anymore?”
Brandee sighed. “It’s not that. I mean, can I count on your discretion? I promised Nick and Anthony never to reveal what I know—to anyone. Can you make that promise? Because if not, you might want to have Anthony hypnotize you and remove the information.”
“So, I guess Anthony has that mesmerism thing that vam—” Angie spied a couple of kids playing on the rocks nearby. This conversation could get awkward if she was overheard. “Why? Did he offer?”
“He offered to do that for me, so I assume he’d include you too. It’s that important that no one know. Can you imagine what would happen? People would panic. They’d be suspicious of everyone who was a little different. Hell, some paranormals might even wind up as lab rats.”
Angie’s friend spoke the truth—never more so than now. “Look, I guess you’re right, and I’ll consider your crazy suggestion, but I have to go. My privacy is about to be compromised.”
“Before you go, please tell me where you are.”
“I’m on Star Island. The season is almost over, so I have to leave soon anyway. The last boat back is tomorrow.”
“Good. You’ll come back tomorrow, then?”
“I only paid for one night, so I might as well come back today. Do you think I still have a job and a place to live?”
“Yeah, at least I assume you do, if you want ’em.”
“Anthony won’t fire and evict me?”
“I doubt it. He was worried about you, but he didn’t seem angry.”
“Okay. Tell Claudia I’ll probably be late, but I’m coming.”
“Thank God! Can I pick you up at the ferry dock?”
“Do you think your rust bucket will make it all the way to Portsmouth?”
“Maybe. If not, Nick said he’s good with cars…”
Angie rose. “Oh no. You’re not bringing him along, are you?”
There was a long pause on the other end of the phone.
“Brandee, you and I need to talk alone first. Maybe you, me, and Anthony.” She strolled away from the kids, who had stopped to study a tide pool. They probably had parents nearby watching them. She lowered her voice. “Does Claudia know about the bar?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Sheesh, are you sure? She’s been there for what…four years?”
“At least. She waitressed to put herself through BU’s business school,” Brandee reminded her.
“I wonder if she would have stayed if she’d known…”
“Probably. I think she has a crush on Anthony.”
“Uh-oh…”
“Don’t even think about it, Ange.”
“Think about what?”
“Telling her.”
Angie set a hand on her hip and huffed. “I told you I wouldn’t tell.”
“Promise?”
Angie crossed her fingers behind her back, as if her friend could see her. “I promise.”
Chapter 20
About five hours later, Angie showed up at the bar. Brandee spotted her from across the room and rushed over. She threw her arms around her friend, not knowing whether to hug her or hit her. Hugging seemed like the safer option. She squeezed a little harder than necessary, though.
“Angie! I’m so glad you’re back.”
“Then don’t squeeze the life out of me.”
Brandee let go and Angie glanced over at the bar.
“I see Kathie is filling in for me.”
“Yeah, Claudia called her in. We were lucky she was available because she usually has classes in the afternoon.”
Claudia approached the pair with an unreadable expression. “Angie. We need to talk.” She tipped her head toward the office and Angie followed. Angie glanced over her shoulder at Brandee, biting her lower lip.
“Would you like me to come too?” Brandee called. Robin would be able to handle being the only waitress on duty for a while. She was a bit of a ditzy blond, but she could always knock if she needed help.
Claudia just said, “Nope,” and kept walking.
Brandee wished she could tell her friend it would be all right, but she didn’t know what was going through Claudia’s mind. She hoped Angie would receive no more than a stern talking-to. That much she deserved.