Chapter Two
Finley
He arrived at work and went to his boss’ office. Ferguson wasn't in yet so he set the box on his desk, whispered his intent, then left.
“Did you do it?” Bob asked.
“Yeah, did you?” Mary and Susan asked in unison.
“Yeah, I got it. It's in his office now. I went with a karma spell,” he told them.
“Oh, karma. Yeah, he definitely needs karma for the way he treats everyone!” Susan commented.
“Hear, hear,” Bob replied.
“Yeah, he definitely needs karma to get him,” Mary put in.
“What's everyone jabbering about? Don't you have work to do?” Ferguson asked as he walked into the office.
Everyone scrambled to their desks to get to work. Finley kept an eye on Ferguson's office and watched as he opened the box. He watched the man sniff the pastry, shrug, and start eating it.
Yes! Now they just had to wait for karma to take hold.
That evening, Finley decided to stop by the bakery to see if Sorcha was still there. He found himself wanting to get to know the woman. She was sexy as fuck and intelligent, and she was inked, something he loved about a woman.
“Welcome to Hexes and Oh's Bakery, I'm Saffron. How can I help you?” the woman behind the counter inquired.
“Hi. I was actually looking for Sorcha,” Finley replied.
“Sorry, she's not here. You can find her two blocks over at her shop, The Wicked Owl,” Saffron told him.
“Okay, thanks. I'll head over there,” he told her and left. Instead of driving, he decided to walk the two blocks to The Wicked Owl.
When he got to the shop, he stared inside the window in front. He could see Sorcha inside and he paused to watch her. Then he stepped inside.
The first thing he noticed was the shelves filled with crystals, herbs, homemade soaps, tarot decks, incense, and potions. Strips of fabric hung down from the ceiling to add to the ambiance. Incense burned, scenting the air. He also noticed a snowy white owl on a perch behind her. When Sorcha looked up he waved.
“Oh, it's Finley, right? What brings you by?” she asked.
“You've got a good memory,” he replied as he approached the glass case she leaned against. He glanced down and saw an array of jewelry, some even handmade. “I was looking for you, actually,” he told her.
“Well, you found me. What can I do for you?” she asked.
He ran a hand through his hair. “This might be a bit forward, but I figured nothing ventured, nothing gained. Would you like to go out sometime?” he asked, leaning on the glass case.
Her eyes widened. “You want to go out…With me? You don't even know me.”
“What better way to get to know each other than to go out on a date?” he countered. He watched her fiddle with one of her braids while she thought about it.
“Fine, you can take me on a date,” she finally said.
“Great. When are you free?” he asked.
“You can pick me up here tomorrow at 6, and don't be late,” she told him.
“Great. I'll see you then, Beautiful,” he replied, knocking lightly on the glass.
He whistled as he left. He had a date he had to go home and plan.?
Sorcha
Sorcha watched him go, and once again, she enjoyed the view. He had a nice ass. Then it hit her what she'd done. She'd agreed to a date with him. Scrambling for her phone, she sent a quick text to Acadia, her employee.
Me: Hey, Acadia, I need you to close the shop for me tomorrow. I have a date!
A: Way to go boss lady! No problem. What time do you need me there?
Me: Um, let's do 5:30 to give me time to get ready
A: Will do. See you then!
Sorcha looked at her phone and knew she needed to share it with her best friend, Zaine. They shared everything. Or almost everything. He had no idea she wished they were more than friends.
Me: You'll never guess what your girl is doing tomorrow!
Hotstuff: Ohhh, this sounds intriguing! Do tell!
Me: I have a date with a very hot guy
Hotstuff: Hot, you say? Oo la la. Tell me about him
Me: His name is Finley. He has shoulder-length black hair, chocolate brown eyes, a strong aristocratic nose, and a finely chiseled jaw
Hotstuff: Long hair is your kryptonite. How'd you meet him, and when do I get to meet him to make sure he's good enough for you?
Sorcha rolled her eyes. Zaine had been looking out for her for years.
Me: He came into the bakery for a karma spell and then showed up here at The Wicked Owl. As for when you get to meet him, we’ll see how the date goes first
Hotstuff: Aw, you're no fun. I was hoping you'd say tomorrow
Three dots appeared, indicating he was typing again, and she waited to see what he had to say.
Hotstuff: Just be careful, Angel. I don't want to see you get hurt
Me: Don't worry, if he tries anything I don't like, I'll hex his ass
Hotstuff: That's not the kind of hurting I meant, but good to know. You should come by the club after you close up, it's jumping, and I have a new DJ who really knows her shit
Me: A female DJ? Cool! Maybe I will. Hell, who am I kidding? A chance to see one of the most important people in my life AND listen to good music? You know I'll be there!
Hotstuff: See you in a bit then, Angel
She wasn't sure when Zaine had started calling her Angel, but it always made her feel warm all over when he did.
Me: See you in an hour
She set about getting the shop ready for closing. Once it was time, she locked the door, scooped up her pet owl, Zen, who sometimes went with her to the bakery as well, and carried him upstairs to her apartment. She lived in a converted apartment over her shop. It was convenient.
Depositing Zen in his cage, which took up one whole wall of her apartment, she went to her bedroom and changed into tight black jeans, a red corset top, and her knee-high boots. A touch-up on her eyeliner and lipstick and she was done. She went out the side entrance to her apartment, locked the door, and she was on her way to Club Prophecy.
Zaine
Zaine stared at his phone. For years now, he'd wanted more with his best friend than just friendship, but he'd not broached the subject out of fear of ruining said friendship. The last thing he wanted to do was lose her. Knowing he was one of her favorite people in the world was bittersweet.
He knew he had an hour to get his emotions under control, but what he wouldn't give to be able to pull her into his arms and kiss her when she arrived.
He watched the clock, and sure enough, an hour later Sorcha sashayed in the door. He watched her cross the floor and had to discreetly adjust himself. She looked damn sexy in her tight-ass jeans and bustier that pushed her tits up, making his mouth water.
“Hey, you,” she said when she reached his side and hugged him.
He savored her embrace for the few moments he had it. “Hey yourself, Angel.” He'd called her that one day a while back, and it just stuck.
“Bourbon and coke for the lady,” he told the bartender.
“Thanks, Babe,” Sorcha replied, and when the drink was handed to her, she took a sip.
Babe. What he wouldn't give for her to be calling him that for real. “You're welcome,” he replied.
“I see what you mean about your new DJ, she knows her music,” Sorcha said as she started to move to the beat.
Zaine admired the way she moved. Sorcha had a lithe figure and damn the woman knew how to dance.
“Come dance with me, Zaine,” she said, taking his hand and dragging him to the dance floor. She sipped her drink while she danced.
When Sorcha ground against him while dancing, he stifled a groan. She was killing him, and she didn't even know it.
They danced for a while before Sorcha fanned herself. “Let's take a break,” she said over the music.
He led her to one of the round tables and they sat. When he'd bought the club, it had had plain wooden chairs. He'd changed them out for plush, padded chairs in red velvet and black lacquer. The walls had gotten a fresh coat of black paint, with red trim, and the black tables were trimmed in gold. Gold sconces with red bulbs decorated the walls, and red overhead lighting completed the look.
“I still love the changes you made to the club, especially these comfy seats,” Sorcha said once they were sitting.
“Gotta keep my customers happy,” he replied. “So, how tall is this Finley you're going on a date with?”
“He's about your height, maybe a little taller,” she told him.
“So, at least six feet. He towers over you, just like I do,” he said with a smirk.
“Yeah, yeah. I'm not short, I'm vertically challenged,” she replied and made him laugh.
“Fuck, you're so fun to tease.” He nodded to her empty glass. “Want another one? I need a drink myself.”
“Sure. Just one more, then I'm calling it quits because I have to be at the bakery at 5 am.”
“I don't know how you can get up so early four days a week.”
“Dedication, Babe. I love working there, especially when I get special customers,” she replied.
“Like Finley,” he said.
“Yeah, like Finley.”
“Okay, be right back with your drink,” he told her. He kissed her cheek before he left.
“I need a bourbon and coke, and a tumbler of Jameson,” he told Joel, the bartender.
“Coming right up. So, boss man, when are you going to take the plunge and tell the girl how you feel?” Joel asked.
“I'm not willing to risk my friendship with her. I'd rather have her as my best friend, than not have her at all,” he replied.
“The way she looks at you when you're not watching, something tells me the feeling is mutual,” Joel told him.
He turned to try to catch her looking at him, but she looked away. “Huh. Never realized that,” Zaine said and picked up their drinks. “I'll think about it,” he added and walked away.
“Here you go, Angel,” he said, setting her drink in front of her.
“Thanks, Babe,” Sorcha replied and took a sip.
Maybe Joel was right, maybe she did want him for more than a friend, too. He started to speak up but stopped himself before he got the words out.
They enjoyed their drinks and then ended up back on the dance floor, bumping and grinding to the music.
“I should get out of here. Three am comes around awfully early,” Sorcha said. It was going on ten already.
“Yeah. I'll be going to bed when you're just getting up,” he said with a laugh. He walked her to the exit. “Enjoy your date tomorrow.”
“Here's hoping,” she replied and hugged him. “Good night, Zaine.”
“Good night, Sorcha,” he replied and watched her go, taking his heart with her.