Chapter 17
Mattie touched the side of the glass container that held the new batch of sugar wax.
She’d made it when she’d gotten home from Alice’s.
It wasn’t really wax, just a mix of sugar, honey, and lemon juice simmered together to form a sticky substance that removed hair like a charm.
Which wasn’t at all how it worked. There was no magic involved.
The sugar solution seemed fairly cool. She touched the top of the dark amber substance. Still a bit warm, but another few minutes and it would be ready to use.
She’d already changed into short shorts. While she waited, she scrubbed the saucepan she’d made the wax in. She still didn’t understand Alice’s cryptic words about Gunnar needing a friend, but maybe she was overthinking it.
Unless he was about to make a wish that would show him the need for companionship? Sort of a ghost of Christmas future kind of thing. Was that possible?
She supposed anything was possible with Blueberry fulfilling wishes.
She set the pan on the dish rack to dry and was about to take the container of sugar wax into the bathroom when a loud, rapid knock came from the front door. It sounded urgent.
She went to see who it was.
Gunnar stood on the other side, looking very agitated. There was no sign of Blueberry. Gunnar shook his head. “This is bad.”
“Good afternoon to you too.”
He glanced at her as if just realizing she was there. His gaze dropped to her legs. And stuck there.
Immediately self-conscious, she crossed one leg over the other. Even if that didn’t hide how hairy they were, it made her feel a little better. “Something I can help you with?”
His head came up. “Right. Yes. I hope.”
“Come in.” She didn’t wait for him, just headed for the kitchen. If they sat at the table, he wouldn’t be able to see her legs. “Where’s Blue?”
“I have no idea. He’s hiding from me.” He closed the door behind her and followed.
Out of habit, she went straight to the kettle and put it on. She turned to face him, leaning against the counter. He made her kitchen feel so small. She gestured at the table. “Sit.”
He took the chair near the window, letting out a big sigh as he sat.
“You want something to drink?”
He shook his head. “No. Thanks.”
She stayed by the counter. “All right, out with it. What happened now? Another wish?”
Gunnar nodded. “I don’t know—that is, I didn’t even—that creature just—”
“Whoa.” She put her hands up. “Take a breath and start at the beginning.”
So he did, telling her all about the college kids at the falls and the conversation with Blueberry afterward. “I didn’t really say I wish as in I wanted that to happen. I just said I wish because it’s a thing people say.”
She stirred her tea, which she’d made while she listened.
He looked mad and upset and worried all at the same time. “I screwed up big-time. Now I have no idea what’s going to happen.”
“Maybe nothing.” She grimaced, because even as she said the words, she knew that wasn’t true. “Okay, I’m sure it’ll be something. But maybe it won’t be as bad as you think.”
He smirked. “I know you’re trying to make me feel better.”
“Well, you don’t really know what the outcome will be.”
He sat back and sighed, staring out the window for a few seconds. “Based on what’s already happened with my wishes, it’s not going to be anything good. That stupid little—sorry. I know you like him.”
“It’s not entirely Blueberry’s fault, you know. He’s constrained by jinn magic, which is notoriously tricky and difficult to control. I get that he takes a certain … glee in granting wishes, but it’s probably the same way you feel about doing … bear things.”
A look that might have been amusement danced briefly in Gunnar’s eyes. “So you’re saying imps will be imps.”
“When you put it that way, it doesn’t seem like the best argument. Maybe a leopard can’t change its spots is a better one.”
He went quiet, his gaze shifting to the container of sugar wax on the table. “What is that?”
“Sugar wax.”
He frowned. “What do you do? Put it on toast? That doesn’t sound very appealing.”
“Um, no. It’s for removing hair.”
He looked up at her. “Why would you want to do that? Is it a witch thing?”
“No, it’s a female thing.” She set her tea aside to grab the container off the table. She put the lid on it and slid it next to the toaster. She changed the subject. “Maybe we should go have a look around in town, see if the wish has kicked in. At least so we understand what we’re dealing with.”
“You don’t think looking for the imp is a better idea?”
“Not really. For one thing, he won’t have gone far.” She couldn’t sense him, but that probably meant he was still in Gunnar’s truck. “For another, he won’t be found until he’s ready to be found.”
She crossed her arms. “Sometimes, part of the magic of a wish is learning something.”
Gunnar didn’t seem impressed with that nugget of wisdom. “You think this wish is supposed to teach me something?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Hard to say until you see what the outcome is.”
“I already know it’s going to be bad. So what does that teach me? Not to get involved with imps, that’s what.”
She rolled her eyes.
He huffed softly. “Okay, I get it. We’ll go into town and see what damage has been done.”
“Great. Let me go change.”
“You look fine.”
“Thanks, but I’m still changing.” As soon as she was out of the kitchen, she smiled. She held that smile until she realized he was right about the wish. It could be bad. Nocturne Falls prided itself on being a safe haven for supernaturals.
But that all hinged on Alice’s—oh boy. Alice. She was not going to be happy if her magic was being countermanded by this wish.
Mattie tugged on jeans and a white peasant top with colorful flowers embroidered on it. Was this what Alice had been referring to when she’d said Gunnar was going to need a friend? How bad was this going to get?
Mattie went back out to the kitchen. Gunnar was standing in front of the window that looked onto the garden. He seemed miles away. “I’m ready.”
He turned. The anger in his gaze was gone, replaced by worry. “I didn’t want any of this to happen. I just wanted to be left alone.”
“I know.” She went closer and put her hand on his arm. “I promise, whatever’s going on, it’s fixable.”
“You really believe that?”
“Yes. I’ve been through enough wishes with Blueberry to feel pretty confident about that.”
“I hope you’re right.”
She grabbed her purse on the way out. He was kind enough to get the truck door for her.
She took advantage of the short span of time between the door closing and him getting in.
“Blue, I know you’re in here. If this is as bad as he thinks it is, you’re in big trouble.
You’d better do everything in your power to—”
Gunnar opened the door and slid behind the wheel. “Where do you think we should start?”
“Maybe just drive down Main Street? See if anything stands out?”
“Okay.”
While he drove, she did her best to surreptitiously inspect the truck’s interior for any telltale smudges of green dust. Or any sign of Blueberry, really. She pretended to be watching the scenery on Gunnar’s side, but she was really trying to check out the back seats.
“I know you’re looking for him.”
She faced forward again. “I guess you did that already?”
“A little. But it might be a good idea if you didn’t find him right now.” Gunnar kept his eyes on the road as he shook his head. “I’m not in the best mood.”