Page 96 of Clean Finish

“Alright,” he said quickly. “I just… You seem pretty tense about it, man. Maybe it’s not… good for you to keep doing it.”

“I didn’t ask for your advice.”

“Fair enough,” he said calmly, then slid out of the booth. “I’ll go settle up.”

I sat there for a few moments trying to calm down, then stood and grabbed our gym bags. When I turned to wait for Ludo by the door while he paid at the counter, I came face to face with a willowy fae woman—in her human skin—with familiar big blue eyes and bright pink hair tied back in a long fishtail braid.

“Hello.” She beamed at me. “Seb, right? I’m Larkin’s mom. Delphine.”

My gaze flicked over to Larkin’s booth to see him staring at us in horror. My mouth twitched.

“Hi,” I said politely, returning my attention to her. “Yes, I’m Seb. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m sure my little sweetpea is over there horrified by the fact that I’m talking to you, so I won’t keep you.” She let out a light, musical laugh. “I was just on my way to the restroom, but I wanted to… Do you know that I’m a Seer?” She lowered her voice so no human customers nearby would overhear.

I nodded. “Larkin’s mentioned it. At work,” I quickly tacked on.

“My shop is Seelie Secrets, if you ever want to come in for a reading.”

She was gazing at me with those big eyes, her demeanour all gentle and calming, but it was making me a little nervous. It was like she knew things. And it kind of felt like… I wanted to tell her things too. Just from her staring at me.

It was unsettling.

“Thank you,” I said politely, even though there was no way in hell I’d ever go to Larkin’s mother for her to read my future. For the mother of the man I was secretly in love with to tell me that I never got to have him for real.

No thanks.

She pursed her lips, glancing over at her family’s booth, before taking a tiny step closer. “My Larkin is… He’s so very sensitive, but it takes him a while to… process his emotions. To realise things.”

“I…” My throat ached a little. I didn’t really know what to say. “I know. He’s…”

“He’s a bit of a late bloomer in most things.” She smiled, radiating love for her son, then turned that smile on me. “I’m glad he has you as a… work friend.”

“Uh…” It felt like two separate conversations were happening here, one of which wasn’t being spoken out loud. “Yeah. We’re… good friends.”

“Well, that’s a comfort to know.” She took a step back, and the weird pull I’d been feeling dissipated. “Lovely to meet you, Seb. Do come to the shop sometime.”

I watched her glide toward the restrooms like some kind of ethereal fae princess in daisy-embroidered culottes and a pink linen shirt, then slowly turned to meet Ludo at the door. My phone vibrated in my pocket as we stepped out of the diner. I knew who it’d be before I even looked.

Omg wtf did she say to you

Then Larkin sent another text. I’m so sorry dude. Whatever she said just ignore it, SERIOUSLY

An affectionate smile curved my mouth. Deciding to tease him just a little, I replied, Your mom has weird powers. It’s like she can get you to reveal all your deepest secrets just by looking at you.

He replied instantly. Omfg I know it’s so annoying.

A second text came through seconds later. Wait, did you tell her your deepest secrets??? What are they? You have to tell ME if you told my mom. That’s like the law

I huffed without much humour. Yeah, no fucking way that was happening. Realising I had to reply, I quickly typed as Ludo and I headed down the street.

I held firm and didn’t reveal anything. Sorry, no secrets for you today.

Or ever.

—

By Sunday night, I was getting restless to have Larkin again.