“I’m fine.” I jerked my hand back, but the heat from his touch seared through me. Being with him made me feel like a potion about to boil over.
I forced myself to exhale slowly. There was something about the way his fingers lingered, about how he studied me with that quiet intensity that made it impossible not to feel like I was teetering on the edge of something I didn’t know how to handle.
“I hadn’t realized how late it had gotten,” I said when the silence dragged on a beat too long. “It just startled me, is all.”
“You know what they say about time flying.”
“That would be assuming I had fun with you.”
He laughed, the sound as smooth as melted chocolate.
Wait, if all that time had passed and Riley was fine, did that mean I hadn’t killed Graham? Relief billowed through me, lifting me up like yeast in a loaf of bread.
“You’re alive.”
His fingers skimmed my cheek. “You know, it might be worth eating another cookie to see you looking at me that way.”
My stomach flipped, and I brushed his hands away from my flaming cheeks. Riley’s flirting was nothing more than the potion at work, and I couldn’t forget that, especially now that it was going to last for the next week. “I’m just relieved I didn’t kill you or Graham.”
“Which brings us back to the question of who did.”
I chewed on my bottom lip. “I need to figure it out before the police come poking around, because I doubt the police will be as easy to convince of my innocence.”
Riley rubbed his chin. “I guess there’s no way to prove that the cookie I ate had the same potion as the one you gave Graham.”
“Especially since you ate the wrong cookie the first time,” I muttered, then sighed. “If we don’t find the answers soon, people will start suspecting my family again.”
“We?” He flashed me a smile. “So, does this mean you’re going to help me crack this case?”
I bit my lip. Working with Riley probably would increase my odds compared to trying to solve the mystery on my own, though that still didn’t mean it was a good idea. He had just eaten a love potion, after all. But it was better than attempting it alone. As a reporter, he probably had connections that would come in handy. Plus, my magic felt more settled around him. As if being with Riley helpedmefeel more balanced.
Finally, I nodded. “Yes.”
“Then I look forward to working with you.” He started to stick out his hand, then pulled it back. “Should we seal the deal with a kiss?”
My cheeks couldn’t possibly get any hotter. “Be serious.”
“I’m always serious about my feelings.” His dark gaze smoldered in a way that made my knees weak.
The problem was that his feelings weren’t exactly his own at the moment, but there was no point telling him that. He knew what he was doing when he ate that love potionandthe truth potion, and people under the influence of a love potion were always convinced their feelings were genuine.
He held out his hand again. “I think we’re going to get along really well.”
I stared at it for a moment, then shook it. “Thanks.”
He laughed, then kissed the back of my hand. “My pleasure.”
My stomach twisted at his amused reaction. That had probably been the wrong thing to say, but I wasn’t like Lydia. I didn’t know how to flirt with guys. I couldn’t banter with them like Lizzy, charm them with my good looks and even better personality like Jane, or wow them with random facts like Mary. All I could do was be me.
Once we finished cleaning up, we trekked upstairs and I cracked the door open to survey the area. Thankfully, the house was quiet, and Dad’s door was shut. Mom must’vegone to bed since I couldn’t hear her muttering as she moved around the main floor. After all, one of Mom’s favorite sayings was, “Those who never complain never get pitied.”
“You should be good to go,” I whispered to Riley.
“I’m not so sure Iwantto go.”
My cheeks heated. They did that far too easily with Riley around. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”
“Yes, I do.” He studied my face intently. “There’s something about being around you… I can’t put my finger on it, but I like it.”
