Page 59 of How (Not) to Conjure a Boyfriend
“We have time anyway.” I’m not acknowledging that last bit. We also don’t really have a lot of time. We close in twenty minutes, but I’m not chancing it. Especially with Mr. Franz on a cane. I’d die if he got hurt. “And don’t worry. I’m getting ready.”
“Guess we’re staying—” The doorbell dings and Kaity seems to lose her voice. “Uh…he’s here.”
“He? Who?” I stand up straight. Why am I even asking? There’s only one person who would get that reaction.
“The only person whose name you said I’m not allowed to say.” She gives me a skewed grin. “He came in for once!”
I might have threatened to put a curse onSiesta Keyso they don’t renew it for a seventh season if she mentioned Zachary’s name again.
“Shit,” I exhale.
“Hey.”Hisvoice slips around the corner. I freeze. I’m not turning. Kaitlynn can handle this.
“Hiya,” Kaitlynn greets him in her leastinconspicuousvoice. I slump and switch off the water faucet. I lean around the corner. There he is. Mr. Perfect Hair in an unfortunately stylish leather jacket.
“Is Mack here?” He stops at the counter.
“Uh…”
For once Kaitlynn doesn’t know what to say. Why now though? Just lie! Say I’m not working tonight. Forget that my car is sitting on the road out front. That could be explained away. Maybe it stopped working and Mom picked me up, or Landon took me home.
“You good?” Zachary leans forward.
“Yeah, yeah.” She laughs. “Of course. I’m great. We’re… I’m great.”
“O-kay.” Zachary squints and looks around the store. “Umm… So are they here?”
“I—”
“Hey.” I rush out of the kitchen to save her. Fine. I’ll sacrifice myself. I put on my best smile and wave, kicking Kaitlynn in the shin under the counter.
“Mack! I haven’t heard from you lately.” He starts off strong. He’s not wrong. I haven’t responded much lately. Not at all today.
“I’ve just been sort of off,” I say. It’s a massive understatement. I don’t have a clue what to do. I’m in over my head.
“It’s okay.” He shrugs. “What are you doing after work?”
I freeze. Kaitlynn’s eyes burst into horrified saucers. Not helping, Kaity!
Technically the plan was to go home and do another spell. A spell specifically about you, Zachary. TheWant You No Morevariety. Maybe some XG or ENHYPEN beforehand to amp me up. I doubt that’s what he wants to hear. Not to mention, it’s arguable that my spell track record isn’t too great at the moment.
“Don’t know yet,” I say instead.
“Wanna hang out at the pub when you get off?” he suggests, then looks at Kaitlynn. “You too.”
“But they won’t let us. It’ll be after nine,” I remind them.
It’s their curfew, unless you’re with an adult—well, a twenty-one-year-old or older adult.
“Outside,” Zachary says. “They’ll let us sit out front. The owner knows Dad. He’d tell if I asked for alcohol anyway.”
“That sucks.” Kaitlynn puts on a show. As if she’s ever had alcohol.
I know better. If she ever had, I would have been there to join her,orshe would have called me right after to tell me, probably totally shit-faced.
“Outside?” I ask again. He nods. “Tonight? In December?”
Zachary squints and nods uncomfortably. “Yeah.” His shoulders slouch.
