Page 12 of With All My Haunted Heart

Chapter

Five

Elle Thompson is standing in my office looking windswept and cautious, and all I’m able to do is stare at her. I keep expecting the door to open again, for Xander to follow her inside, but she apparently came alone.

“Pippa’s calendar is open. She can speak with you now.” Dea appears suddenly at my side, and though mind reading isn’t a thing, I can tell what my office manager is thinking. Rare magic—like the haunting Elle is after—means big money.

And the business desperately needs some of that.

Elle studies me, her expression daring me to disagree and kick her out of the office. I can almost hear the speech she’s undoubtedly prepared ahead of time. All her arguments against whatever dismissal I can conjure. It shivers in the air between us. So I surprise us both. I smile.

“It would be my pleasure. Join me in my office?” I gesture to the open door behind me. “Dea, can you call Zack Ryan for me? See if you can get him back on board for Thursday.”

“On it, boss.”

“Actually,” Elle says when I turn toward the office. “Could we go somewhere else? Somewhere…neutral.”

Her tone grates against my nerves. I’m offended on my office’s behalf. On my own behalf. I picked out everything in this space. I personally cleansed and spelled every bit of it. “What’s wrong with my office?”

“Nothing’s wrong with it,” Elle insists, a tinge of pink blooming beneath her freckles, which is…interesting. “Last time we met on my turf, and that conversation ended on less-than-ideal terms. A neutral location might be better.”

“You think being here gives me the upper hand?”

She scowls. “That’s not what I said.”

“Pippa, why don’t you take our potential client out to Bellflower Bistro.” Dea shoots me a meaningful look before smiling fully at Elle. “They have the best lunch service in the city. It’s on us. Right, Pippa?”

I breathe in deep and invite magic to flow through me, tracing a calming sigil against my thigh. When I exhale, I’m able to smile without grimacing. “I’ll grab my things, and we can go.” I scowl when Elle nods—I don’t need her permission to do anything—and promptly realize I’m being ridiculous. I trace another calming sigil along the inside of my palm as I escape into my office to grab my wallet.

My phone buzzes with a text from Dea.

Keep an open mind. We need this contract.

I won’t compromise my morals for a payday.

Behind me, I can hear Dea snort before she responds.

No one’s asking you to. Use that clever brain of yours to find a solution that works for everyone.

I hate you.

You love me.

Dea does a great job hiding the smug edge to her grin when I shut the door to my private office and rejoin her and Elle in the waiting area. Elle looks wary, but she doesn’t avoid my gaze. I swallow my objections and lead her to the door. “The Bellflower is just around the corner. We’ll want to hurry before the lunch rush gets there.”

Elle follows me out the front door. “I appreciate you making the time.”

I shrug. “Girl’s gotta eat.” At the sight of her pursed-lip frown, I let out a sigh. “Also, I may have overreacted on Saturday.”

“So, you’ll do it?” The hope in her voice takes me by surprise, different from the challenge and skepticism I first encountered. Today, she’s eager and warm and inviting.

“I owe it to Xander to hear you out,” I clarify. “I still have significant concerns.”

“And I’m sure I’ve already considered them all.”

“We’ll see.”

A minute later, we round the corner and Bellflower Bistro comes into view. There’s no line out the door, which is a relief, but it is busy inside. We’re seated quickly at a four-person table, the rustic wood gleaming with polish. The table is surrounded by other diners, and the rumble of conversation presses in on all sides. Rather than sitting across from me, Elle takes the chair to my right.