Page 25 of How (Not) to Conjure a Boyfriend
“Yeah, but—”
“No! No buts.” Kaitlynn shakes her head. “Do what—”
“But they like butts,” Landon says, thinking he has something.
“Uh… Nah. They’re more a—” Kaitlynn begins, but there is no way I’m letting this be said in front of Dawn. No way in hell.
“La la la,” I sing. It’s the best I’ve got, and she stops and stares me down with a crooked grin, so it works. I raise my brow and she gives me a knowing smile back.
“You just have to find a way to tell them.” Dawn leans her back against the baked goods container. “And at the right time. But make it soon. The longer you put it off, the harder it’s going to get, and the worse it’s going to look.”
“I know.” I drop my head in defeat. “I’ll do it.”
“Good.” Kaitlynn sounds satisfied.
“Good? You didn’t contribute anything,” I complain, and turn to grab a new ticket.
Unlike before, it’s the only one on the line. I take it a little slower and try to relax. I concentrate more on the ingredients. Espresso, hazelnut, and chocolate syrup. It’s simple, not enough to keep me from worrying.
“I helped,” Kaity whines.
“Sure.” I shake my head and wrap my fingers around my necklace. I say my usual prayer for when I’m anxious. The words flow noiselessly in my head.
Dear Freyja, Queen of the Valkyries, I know I have no reason to worry. Your shield-maidens watch over me. But please give me the peace of home within my head.
I breathe in, then out, and pop a lid on top of the iced latte in front of me. I grab the cold plastic cup and call out the name written on it, “Billie!”
When I turn to put the cup on the counter, I freeze.
“Oh no,” I mumble.
“Huh?” Kaitlynn asks, looking down my line of sight at the mom, dad, and daughter that just walked in. Mary-Anne, Randall, and Holly Marcus.
“That’s his family,” I whisper.
“His?”
“Hayden’s. It’s Hayden’s family.” I whisper it like it’s the biggest secret of the twenty-first century.
“Oh.” Her lip skews to the right and she grunts evilly, “Have fun.”
“Lots of help, thanks,” I throw my voice after her as she walks into the back, probably to eavesdrop, and Mrs. Marcus walks up.
“Kenzie!” she squeals.
I fake excitement, baring all of my teeth and hoping the horror isn’t showing in my face.
“I’m so glad you’re here.” She doesn’t stop. “We wanted to come by the shop. See where Hayden met you.”
“Ah, yeah, that.” I nod nervously, glancing back at Kaitlynn. Hoping she’ll get that I need saving. She doesn’t—or well, she does but does nothing about it. “It’s just where I work.”
Obvi. They know I work here, and if they hadn’t already, me standing behind the counter should be a good giveaway.
“It’s a nice place. I don’t think we’ve ever come in before.” Mr. Marcus looks around the space. “Sort of odd, actually. I’ve lived here all my life, and I’ve never been here.”
“I have.” Holly speaks up, eyes barely breaching the countertop.
“Really?” Mr. Marcus asks.
