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“Yeah, like piss off mobsters because you’re trying to right a wrong from your past,” Rhett offered.
Asher frowned and rose. “When have I ever done anything stupid?”
“When we went joyriding when we were thirteen,” Boone said.
Rhett nodded and added, “When you thought building that skateboarding ramp was a good idea and broke your arm.”
“Ah, yeah, good one.” Boone barked a
laugh. “How about when you were sure the lake was frozen enough to handle the snow mobile and lost it in the water.”
Asher flipped them the bird and grinned before heading to his office, hearing them laughing behind him, calling out more stupid shit he’d done as a kid. They weren’t wrong—he was reckless and foolish as a teenager.
But he wasn’t that kid anymore.
* * *
Lemon incense infused the air as Remy rang up another customer. Two hours she’d been open, and the store hadn’t slowed down yet. Most of the people Remy recognized, the townsfolk coming out to support her. Customers were standing around the small table that had cookies and a large thermos of hot apple cider, grand opening gifts from the owners of the bakery down the street. All of the shelves were being restocked by Kinsley and Peyton, who’d pitched in to help today. Asher had stopped in and then had to run to Remy’s loft to grab more of the healing oil. Sales were off the charts, and at this point, Remy hoped she could keep up with demand.
She stared out at her shop, her heart in her throat. So many bad decisions along the way that lead Remy to a place in her life when she thought her dreams would never come true, and now they had. Though she couldn’t stop the slight pain in her heart that when she used to dream of this moment as a teenager, she thought she and Asher would be married with a couple of kids. She always knew Asher would have been an amazing father, even if he obviously feared fatherhood because of his own dad. But as she looked around at Kinsley and Peyton, and having Asher back in her life now—just in a different way—she realized how lucky she was. No matter how much life wanted to sink her, she kept treading the water and somehow made it out alive.
I did it.
A loud meow caught Remy’s attention. She glanced down, finding Salem sitting on the counter looking proud and handsome as always. “I know, it’s fun, isn’t it?” Remy asked him, not surprised when he meowed back in answer. Which had been his answer when she tried to leave him at home this morning. Maybe she was nervous and he felt that. Or maybe he knew the store was Remy’s life now. Salem always squeezed himself into her life from the very first day he showed up at her doorstep as a sick kitten needing help.
The bell above the door chimed when another customer left. Remy gave Salem a final pat, then moved around the counter and sidled up to Peyton and Kinsley near the bookshelves. “I can’t believe how busy it’s been.”
Kinsley tucked her arm through Remy’s. Peyton did the same on the other arm and said, “It’s because this shop came from a really good place. Your grandmother’s love and all her knowledge is wrapped up in this entire store.”
Kinsley nodded. “People will gravitate to that.”
“Nana would be so proud of this little shop,” Remy said, emotion creeping up in her throat. “All her spells being put to use to actually help people. I’m seriously still pinching myself this has finally happened.” Her dream happened. Her life was finally looking up. Life was actually giving her the break she’d always wanted. Gratefulness touched every part of her soul right down to the tips of her toes.
“Remy.” Betty-Anne, the dental hygienist who cleaned Remy’s teeth every six months, called her over with a wave. “Will this oil really help me with luck?”
Remy nodded. “If you gamble or bet, most definitely.”
“Oh, I’m so getting this, then,” Betty-Anne said, eyes twinkling. “I can’t wait to beat everyone at bingo.”
Remy laughed.
“I’ll ring you out, Betty-Anne,” Peyton said, moving toward the counter.
Another lady stood on her tiptoes, attempting to reach a glass jar on one of the bookshelves. “Oh, be careful there, I can help with that,” Kinsley called. “Let me grab a stool.”
Remy stood in the center of the shop and exhaled deeply. Life had dealt a couple hard blows over the years. Sure, she had a mom who wasn’t around much and a father who never acknowledged her existence, but she had Asher, Kinsley, Peyton, the guys, and Salem. What else did a girl need but that? And now her grandmother’s spells could heal, could inspire, and could bring happiness. Maybe the hard road was worth it because it all led her here to this moment, where she felt stronger than she had in a long time.
The front door opened again, and time seemed to slow. Her heart rate spiked, nearly exploding from her chest when Lars stepped into her store. All the happiness that had floated through her a minute ago suddenly vanished when she caught his gaze and he gave a smile that held no warmth. He approached her with his back ramrod straight. For one split second, darkness nearly flickered, giving the reminder that nothing in Remy’s life could simply be happy, but she shoved that thought aside.
Today was her day. Nothing would ruin that.
“Hi,” she said, forcing her voice not to shake. “Welcome to Black Cat’s Cauldron’s grand opening. Is there anything I can help you find?” She suddenly wondered if he’d seen her and Asher last night following him. “We’ve got great salves for sore muscles from the gym. Would that be of interest to you?” The guy was all muscle. Scary big muscles.
“Nah, I’ve got no interest in that.” He shoved his hands into the pockets of his black tailored suit. “I’ll tell you what does interest me, though: this shop.”
Her stomach tightened like a rock when she processed what he’d said. “What about it?”
“I inquired over the property,” he said.
