Not Your Ex's Hexes (Supernatural Singles, #2)(93)
“People who interrupt someone obviously engrossed in their book has true evil in their heart. I’m just saying. But,” Olive added, “it just so happens that I have a reading app on my phone. Words will travel, so let’s travel…”
“Do you want to ask Bax to join us?” Rose teased wickedly.
Her sister scoffed and linked their arms. “About as much as I want a raging case of witch pox. Anyway, leave the hiding to me. I’m practically a professional.”
They each collected a drink, and true to her word, Olive found a quiet spot in the solarium. A stone bench, surrounded on three sides by lush greenery, provided the ultimate place to disappear, and the second they sat, Olive pulled up her phone … and her reading app.
“Tell me what’s going on with the silent treatment,” Rose requested, risking the interrupted reader glare.
“Pure evil. And I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Olive lied.
“Bax looks even more sullen than usual. Did he change his mind about the roommate thing?”
“I wish,” Olive muttered.
Rose’s curiosity was piqued. She shifted closer to her sister, elbowing her in the side. “Clarify that remark. Pronto.”
Olive’s shoulders, and her phone, drooped. “He won’t let it go. Why can’t he take no for an answer? Why?”
“Probably because he sees what we do, and in true Guardian Angel fashion, he wants to do something about it.”
“Great. He’s acting out of a hero complex and I’m the damsel,” Olive muttered grumpily. “That’s even worse.”
“You can’t survive much longer on the amount of sleep you’re getting, Olly. Eventually, there will be a breaking point. The people who love you don’t want to see that happen.”
“He keeps telling me it’s a money thing.”
“And that very well may be. New York rent isn’t cheap.”
Olive didn’t look convinced. “He’s managed fine on his own all this time.”
“Circumstances change. Bax doesn’t exactly go around spewing about his personal life—especially anything to do with angeling. For all we know it could be crap pay—or no pay. Maybe he’s not managing as well as he’d led us to believe.”
Olive pushed her glasses up. “You think that’s it?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. But whether he extended the offer because of a hero complex, or a financial one, what we both know is that he wouldn’t have offered unless he meant for you to accept it.”
The youngest Maxwell sighed. “I don’t want to go from the frying pan into the bubbling cauldron.”
“There may be some boxer-clad sports-watching in your future, but Bax won’t be dealing magical herbs from the living room sofa.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Rose waited expectantly for elaboration.
“He’s Bax. Listening to celestial sexcapades through bedroom walls isn’t high on my to-do list. I’d rather deal with stinky herbs.”
“Celestial sexcapades?” Rose burst out laughing, tears coming to her eyes.
“You know what I mean!”
“Honestly, I don’t, but I really wish I did.”
“It looks like someone nabbed my hiding spot before I could get here.” A familiar voice had both sisters looking up.
Wearing a gorgeous green silk gown that molded to her curves, Callie stood in front of them, her eyes smiling. “Is there room for one more?”
“Have a seat and join the hideaway party.” Rose patted the spot next to her. “We were talking about celestial sexcapades.”
The other witch’s eyes lit up. “This conversation sounds a hell of a lot more interesting than anything happening out there. But be forewarned, I may use this opportunity to convince you why it would be awesome to work together, too. I haven’t forgotten you still owe me an answer about Sparks of Hope.”
“Consider me warned.” For the first time in a while, Rose let herself enjoy the moment—and the company. And she didn’t worry about societal optics.
* * *
Jasper kicked the stall door, the force quaking the entire barn. A few more hits like that and the damn thing would cave regardless of the reinforcements made.
Miguel, his mouth pulled into a frown, studied the freaked-out creature in front of them. “What the hell has gotten into him? He was perfectly fine this morning. He even let Terrance groom him.”
“He’s been like this for an hour, and he won’t let me get within four feet of him so I can check him out.” Demonstrating, Damian reached for the stall latch. The stallion’s nostrils flared as he reared, kicking out yet again. “If he keeps this up, he’ll hurt himself.”
“Rose has a way with him. Maybe she could calm him enough so you can peek under the hood.”
Damian shook his head. “She’s at some event for the Kids’ Community Center. I don’t want to bug her for something like this. I’m the vet for hell’s sake. I should be able to manage one horse.”
Miguel watched him curiously, but he ignored it, studying the frightened animal in front of him. Or struggling to. His thoughts drifted to Rose, which is where they’d been when he’d barely dodged Jasper’s first kick to the head.