Flirting Under a Full Moon - By Ashlyn Chase Page 0,78
one I unfreeze and you mesmerize see it happen to the next one?”
“Nope. I have a plan.”
“While you’re out there, I’ll get the problem waitress here all straightened out, so you might as well unfreeze her now.”
Kurt waved a hand at Robin and she slumped into the chair. A moment later she looked up, startled. Before she could say anything or look around, Sly caught her eye. Her jaw went slack and she stared at him without blinking.
“That’s a good girl,” he said softly, as if speaking to a frightened child.
While Sly did his thing, Nick lifted Sadie as if she were a sack of grain and carried her out back. Kurt acted as lookout, and fortunately, no one was around. Then Nick went back for Brandee.
Kurt waved a hand over both women and slipped back inside.
Sadie and Brandee moved gingerly at first, stretching and groaning, as if they had arthritic joints trying to function first thing in the morning.
“What happened?” Brandee asked. She glanced back and forth. “And what are we doing outside?”
“Kurt had to freeze the action.”
Brandee set a hand on her hip. “Oh, terrific. Another paranormal. What is he? The wizard?”
Nick was about to say she’d have to ask him, but Sadie jumped in.
“Yes, dear. Kurt is a wizard. He hangs around for just such occasions as this one. I’m very glad he was here. Even if…” She stretched her shoulder and something popped. “Ow.”
“Oh, my Oz. So what’s going on in there now, Nick? And you never said why we’re out here.”
“Because Sly is mesmerizing each person one at a time and erasing their memories of what happened. Because you both can be trusted, he’s not wiping your memories.”
Brandee smiled. “You finally trust me?”
He tipped up her chin and looked into her eyes. “Absolutely.”
He was about to kiss her when she asked, “Where’s Angie?”
He sighed. “Getting her memory reset with the rest of them.”
“Good,” she and Sadie said in unison.
Relieved, Nick smiled at his mate. “I’ll be back before closing time, sweetheart. Can I take you to my place after that?”
“I guess so. Will Angie be all right?”
“We’ll make sure she is.” He glanced over at Sadie. “You should probably tell Anthony what happened so Kurt can continue to keep eyes on the place.”
“I will. I’d also like to know why your vampire friend Sly is out and about during the day. If there’s a trick to it that he can share, Anthony could really use that information.”
Nick shrugged. “You can ask. In my experience, vampires are pretty secretive, but Sly seems very different from most vampires.”
Without wasting any more time, Nick grasped Brandee’s shoulders and gave her a quick kiss. “Stay here until Kurt says it’s time for you to go back in. I have to get back to the mayor. He must be wondering why I took off.”
“You didn’t explain?” she asked.
“Nope. If you say you need my help, I’ll be there as fast as possible. I’d say as fast as humanly possible, but…”
“Got it. All is well.” Brandee slapped his butt. “Now get going.”
Chapter 21
A few minutes later, Kurt poked his head out the back door. “It’s safe for you ladies to come in again.”
Brandee looked at him in a whole new way. He had never seemed that different from the other regulars. He was ex-military—at least he said he was—and looked the part. Tall, muscular, with a buzz cut, clean shaven, and tattooed with the words “Semper Fi.” Now she wondered who he was semper fi’d to. Anthony? Maybe they had one of those “You saved my life; now I owe you my faithful service forever” stories.
Sadie let Brandee lead the way. She followed Kurt through the short corridor past the restrooms and glided around the bar. Everything appeared normal. Folks were drinking and chatting. Robin was happily waiting on tables, and Claudia watched Kathie mix a margarita. Angie was nowhere to be seen, however.
Claudia caught sight of Brandee and strode over to her. “There you are. When did you take up smoking?”
“Huh? I don’t smoke.”
“Oh, Kurt said you must have gone out back for a cigarette.”
“That’s my fault,” Sadie piped up. “I needed to ask her something privately.”
“Oh. Well, it’s starting to get busy. That table by the window has been waiting a while.”
“I guess I’d better get back to work then,” Brandee said with forced cheerfulness. “Do you know where Angie is?”
“Angie?” Claudia glanced around. “No. I haven’t seen her.”