“Thank you, Lyss. I mean it. You saved me.”
My head wobbles around as I struggle to take the compliment, something I intend to work on and soon.
“I’m always happy to help.”
He pulls me in and places a lingering kiss on my lips.
His forehead leans against mine. “Do you have plans for New Year’s Eve?”
“No,” I say, breathlessly.
He steps back, putting some space between us. “You do now. I have tickets to a party in Silverton. Malone gave them to me because he decided to work the night shift.” He searches my face. “Will you? Come with me?”
A smile spreads across my face. “I’d love to.”
He rocks back on his heels, head dipping slightly. “It’s overnight. We’d be…sharing a room.”
I swallow, the thought of sharing a bed with Nick both exhilarating and terrifying. I was ready to take things to the next level a few weeks ago, but the distance as of late has tempered my nerve.
“If you aren’t comfortable, we can—”
“No,” I rush out, shaking my head. “I don’t mind. I want to…” My words trail off, cheeks burning as the image of Nick lying beside me plays on a loop in my head.
“It’s a date,” he says, and his voice is gravelly.
Could he possibly be thinking about what I’m thinking about?
I guess we’ll find out soon enough.
5
The Magician
It’s Thursday nightand the first meeting of the Gin and Tarot Club since before the holidays. Lanie barrels into the kitchen with her arms full of poster boards, her oversize knockoff purse hanging off her shoulder, brimming with additional supplies from the looks of it.
She drops the boards haphazardly over the dining room table, and I lift an eyebrow, staring at the blank white cardboard inquiringly.
“What’s with those?” I ask, curious about what Lanie has planned for this evening.
We haven’t discussed the specifics for tonight. The only instructions I got were that it would be held here at eight o’clock, and that it was my job to ensure there were plenty of snacks and booze.
Which is not typical for our traditional girls’ night. Lanie and Nina both are sticklers for having something on the books. Whether it be a reservation or an organized night in, there’s usually more planning involved. Things have changed since my abilities presented.
The Gin and Tarot Club was briefly explained as a way for our group to work together, using our unique skills to solve crimes. However, it isn’t a true club, in Lanie’s opinion, if we aren’t sipping—or guzzling—our official club alcohol, gin. A liquor that I only drink on Thursday nights.
“It’s our craft for tonight,” she explains, not bothering to look at me. She goes about sifting through her bag while simultaneously attempting to move her sweater back into position on her shoulder.
I snort because Lanie is not the arts-and-crafts kind of girl.
“So now we’re doing crafts? This is an interesting development.”
She bobs her head. “A very important craft, considering the new year is upon us.”
Good grief. Lanie is slipping right into her woo-woo tone, which means things are about to get interesting tonight.
“What is this craft that’s so important?” I ask, leaning back against the kitchen island. “I mean…more important than solving crimes and saving lives?”
Lanie huffs, rolling her eyes into the back of her head. “Vision boards, Alyssa. We’re manifesting our best year.”
