Chapter 2
“Okay, so I really want to surprise Braxton with a trip to the East Coast,” Lily said as she gripped Dante’s arm. “Since you lived there for a while, I was hoping you could give me some suggestions.”
“You want to take him there in January?” Dante asked with a raised eyebrow. “You do know it will be colder than a penguin’s backside then, right?”
She let out a soft chuckle. “Yes, but I was thinking of a New Year’s trip to NYC first and then maybe a trip to a coastal retreat or a Vermont B he just hoped that Prim wasn’t jealous.
She had no reason to be. Besides, he had no intention of dating anyone.
“She probably just wants to set up those kayak lessons. Nice shoes by the way.”
His compliment seemed to catch her off guard as her gaze flicked to her feet. When she looked up, her cheeks were flushed pink. “Thanks.” Then her voice was dripping with sarcasm when she added, “Yeah. I’m sure that’s exactly what McKenna wants. Kayak lessons. Sure.”
“Jealous?” he asked, raising one eyebrow.
Prim scoffed. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m just annoyed that she was hitting on my date. Talk about disrespectful.”
Dante nodded, hoping that was the truth. “She was rather forward. But don’t worry. It’s not like I’m going to date her. Or anyone else for that matter. I’m not interested in starting up anything with anyone at the moment.”
“This is a date,” Prim said with a shrug.
“This is a friend taking another friend out to dinner,” he said, all hints of amusement gone.
“We’re not… you know, dating.” Dante felt like a jerk spelling it out so plainly for her, but the last thing he wanted to do was lead her on.
After his engagement had imploded last year, he’d sworn off dating and any potential of a serious relationship.
And Prim Easton was definitely the type of woman who deserved to be dated. There was nothing casual about her.
“Of course I know that,” she said, looking indignant. “It’s okay to call it a date even if you never plan to do it again.”
He could tell that he’d hit a nerve and wanted to kick himself. “I’m sorry, Prim. If it makes you feel better, my hangups have nothing to do with you. After my failed engagement, I’m just not up for anything serious again.”
Prim frowned up at him and then shook her head as she let out a small chuckle. “I promise not to propose over dessert. Does that make you feel better?”
“Yes,” he said, grinning down at her. He wondered if he’d met Prim five years earlier, what would his life look like?
Would he have never been engaged to Shari or had to deal with her illegal magic?
Would he have fallen in love with Prim? He could easily imagine it.
She was the type of woman he could see spending the rest of his life with.
Would they be happily married and considering kids?
Or maybe they’d have a couple of dogs and be that couple who spent their weekends outdoors hiking, kayaking, and camping.
The image was more appealing than he cared to admit.
What was he even doing imagining being married to her? Had he lost his mind? He quickly squashed his thoughts and held his arm out to her. “Ready for dinner?”
Prim slipped her arm through his and said, “I hope you brought your credit card, cause I’m starving.”
Dante couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his lips. Prim was petite and probably half his weight. How much could she really eat?
They walked down the block to the Salt Circle, and once they arrived, they were seated next to a window that looked out over the Hood Canal. The sun was still high in the sky, shining down on the sparkling, calm blue waters.
“Good evening,” a pretty blond waitress said as she gazed at Dante and flashed him a coquettish smile. “You’re back. It’s been a while.”
Dante shrugged at the woman. Her name was Kimmie, and she always came on strong every time he came in. It was why he’d been avoiding the place recently. For whatever reason, she hadn’t taken the hint. “I’ve been around.”
“I bet you have,” she said with a soft giggle. “You just haven’t come to see me. Good thing you’re here now.”
Prim cleared her throat. “Is that the wine list?”
“Huh?” Kimmie barely glanced at Prim.
“The wine list,” Prim said testily as she held her hand out.
Dante glanced at Prim and noted that she was glaring at the waitress. He frowned and wondered if the two had some sort of past history or if she was just as annoyed as he was about the flirting.
“Oh, right.” Kimmie handed the wine list to Prim. “Let me know if you have any questions.” Then she turned to Dante again. “Do you want your usual?”
“Usual?” Dante asked. “What’s my usual?”
Kimmie threw her head back and laughed. “You’re too cute. You always get Bayside Lager on tap.”
“Always, huh?” Dante vaguely remembered ordering the local beer a few times when he’d come in with Braxton, but not enough to say it was his usual. “Well, looks like I’m changing it up tonight.” He winked at Prim. “Why don’t we share a bottle. Red or white?”
“We have a fantastic pinot grigio from Whidbey Island,” the waitress said. “It’s one of my favorites.”
“Red,” Prim said, scowling at the waitress again as she handed Dante the wine list. “I like merlots and cabs.”
“Red it is.” Dante scanned the wine list and pointed to a Washington wine. “We’ll take a bottle of the Marrowstone, please.”
“Sure.” The waitress smiled at him and added, “I love a man with great taste.”
“You can’t go wrong with Marrowstone,” Dante said, trying to be diplomatic. Even though he’d already told Prim he wasn’t the dating type, she was right when she’d said they were on a date. And having another woman blatantly flirt with him right in front of her was making him uncomfortable.
“Two glasses?” the waitress asked him.
“Obviously,” Prim said, her eyes flashing with irritation. “Didn’t you hear him say we’d share a bottle?”
“Oh, that’s right. I’ll be right back.” The waitress turned and started to stride away. But after two steps, she stumbled and grabbed onto a chair to keep herself from falling. When she tried to take a step, she let out a hiss and then limped away.
“Dammit,” Prim muttered as she stared out the window at the glimmering blue waters of the Hood Canal. Her cheeks flushed pink as she twisted her napkin between her fingers.
Dante could still feel the remnants of magic in the air and was certain that Prim had accidentally caused the waitress to twist her ankle. He cleared his throat. “So… the schlong pox story is true?”
Prim whipped her head up, staring at him with her mouth hanging open. She sucked in a sharp breath and gasped out, “You heard about that?”
He chuckled softly, feeling both amused and a little guilty for bringing it up. “Sorry. I heard some rumors.”
“Oh no.” She buried her face in her hands and let out a groan. When she looked up at him, there was horror in her expression. “I can’t believe the floor hasn’t opened up and swallowed me whole yet.”
“So, you’re saying that praying for personal destruction doesn’t ignite your magic?
” he asked, unable to resist teasing her.
He already knew that she’d sometimes had trouble controlling her magic.
The story about her cursing a date with chicken pox on his junk was a legend in this town, and the reason some people still called her the Schlong Pox Girl.
“Does it only work when you’re annoyed at someone else? ”
“I’m not trying to do anything,” she exclaimed as her hands curled into fists. “I swear to the goddess, I’m trying not to. I didn’t trip that waitress on purpose, and I sure as heck didn’t mean to curse the guy with chicken pox!”
The couple at the nearby table turned to stare at her, and when she noticed, she slipped down into her chair, looking miserable. “I’m sorry,” she said. “That was probably too loud.”
Dante reached out and placed a hand over hers, squeezing it lightly. “You don’t need to apologize. I’m sorry I made you uncomfortable. I just can’t help but be curious about your… disability.”
Prim snorted. “That’s a nice way of putting it.”
He gave her a sympathetic look. Ever since he’d heard the story, he’d felt nothing but sympathy for her. Not only did she struggle with her magic, she’d been the town joke. That would be tough on anyone. “It’s true, though, right? If you can’t control it, what else would you call it?”
“Undisciplined?” she said, looking miserable.
“At least that’s what my grandmother says.
” She glanced away for a moment and then met his gaze, seeming determined to share her truth.
“It really only happens when I’m stressed or upset.
I just want you to know I’m not some crazy woman who’s cursing anyone who looks at you twice.
It’s probably the movie. McKenna wasn’t supposed to show up until next week, and on top of that, she’s demanding that I make some changes to my garden.
It’s not what I was expecting…” She trailed off, closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again, and added, “I like to be prepared. That’s another quirk of mine.
I think it’s fair to say that it stresses me out when I’m taken off guard at work. ”
“I don’t think you’re crazy,” Dante said, though he couldn’t deny that he was relieved she’d brought up the elephant in the room. The last thing he needed was another woman in his life who used magic for nefarious purposes. “Thank you for explaining. I promise I won’t hold it against you.”
Her face flushed a deeper red as she stared at the menu in front of her.
“I’m sorry,” she said, keeping her eyes averted.
“You were really kind to save me from the auction humiliation, and how do I repay you? By cursing the poor waitress and venting about my day. I promise I’ll let it go.
I’m sure once I get a little wine in me I’ll start to unwind. ”
“There’s nothing to repay,” Dante said. He’d already told her once that he’d bid on her at the auction for his own reasons. He knew what it was like to be ostracized, and he’d be damned if he stood there and let someone else be humiliated.
She waved a hand. “I know, but… thank you.”
He started to tell her it was nothing, but he knew better. “You’re welcome. Now, tell me about this movie.”