Page 20 of A Seer and Present Danger

“Did you hear about the Rookery opening this weekend?” Jules added.

“One of my snakes hates worms,” Dusi said.

That made me laugh. “Is that true?”

She nodded. “Snilly gets the willies.”

I heard the tiniest hiss of agreement from one of her braids.

I chuckled and finished the rest of my drink. Little futures that were variations of the same thing flashed. “Time to get the tables in place for the artists—oh, we are doing that next, right or am I future-assuming?”

Jules chuckled. “We are.”

“Also,” I said as another future flashed, “we’ve got about an hour before Bertie comes by to see our progress.”

“She’s coming early?” Jules stood and looked around the place like she was assessing a battlefield. “What mood is she’s going to be in?”

“Bossy and business-like.” I grinned. “But I don’t have to look into the future to know that. She’s always bossy and business-like.”

Jules laughed that big laugh of hers and started toward the tables stacked by the wall. “Well, except for when she’s with Tark.”

“Tark?” Dusi asked.

“You didn’t know?” Jules threw over her shoulder. “They’ve been seen flirting. In public.”

Dusi had on her mirrored sunglasses so I couldn’t see the surprise in her eyes, but she smiled. “Well, good for her. Good for both of them, I suppose.”

“Speaking of dating,” I teased, giving Dusi a look.

“No.” She pointed at me. “We are not going to talk about Marty. He and I are just going out for coffee.”

“Mmm-hmmm.” I waggled my eyebrows. “Just coffee. I can see the future you know.”

She waved me off and walked to the tables. “I have free will and know how to use it.”

“But do you have free won’t?” I asked.

That got a soft laugh out of her. “Oh, I definitely do.”

Jules wiggled her fingers at Dusi and grinned ear to ear. Marty was her nephew, and she was one hundred percent on Team Them Dating.

Dusi had sworn off heroes and falling in love, but Marty was a good guy. Even without my future sight, I thought they would make a cute couple.

“Speaking of dating,” Dusi began, “how’s West, Jules?”

I slapped my hand over my mouth to cover my laugh.

It was Jules’ turn to look flustered. “He’s fine. He’s good. We’re taking it slow. Also not dating—it’s just coffee. I know, I know!” She grinned.

“He’s wonderful,” she admitted, “but I’m proceeding with caution too.”

“I approve.” Dusi picked up a table on her own. “Very practical.”

I helped Jules with her table, shuffling forward as she walked backward to where the table should be placed.

“How about you?” Jules asked.

“Me?” We set the table down and started back for another.