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“Your mom would be so cool if she were…well, a better mom to you,” said Peyton, moving toward the table with the creams.
Salem woke up, yawned, then promptly fell asleep again. “Honestly, I’d rather a boring mother who’s home, than one who’s cool and always gone.” Nana had been simple but she’d been the most important person in Remy’s life, and she missed her terribly.
Peyton’s eyes saddened.
Remy waved her off. “Don’t feel bad for me. I had an amazing life with my nana. My mom always felt more like…I don’t know…a sister, I guess. She’s not really nurturing or anything like how my grandma was.”
Kinsley hopped onto the counter next to Salem. He peeked open an eye but stayed put. “I wish you could have met Nana,” she said to Peyton. “She was a really special lady.”
Warm memories filled Remy. Nana had taken Kinsley under her wing too, since Kinsley’s mom had taken off to California to start a life with a new family when Kinsley was young. Remy supposed that’s what happened when anyone lived in a small town. Sometimes people just needed out.
“All right,” Kinsley said. “Now that we’ve got you alone, tell us about the guy who came into your shop yesterday.”
Remy grabbed a box off the floor and set it on the table. “The scary-looking guy that made Asher all broody?”
“Yeah.” Kinsley nodded. “That guy.”
“To be honest, I don’t really know exactly who he is,” Remy explained, taking out some purification bath salts she’d made last week. So far the healing bat
h salts were a best seller, but Remy found the purification baths much more relaxing. “He came into the shop the other day asking about Damon. Kind of freaked me out.”
Peyton reached for another tester cream. “I see why. He had that totally creepy vibe going on.”
“Totally creepy,” Remy agreed. Which was exactly why Remy had pulled out her biggest protection spells ever and drenched the store in all of Nana’s knowledge. The space felt so full of light every time Remy walked in. All she could do was smile. “After he came into the shop the first time, I told Asher about him and we followed the guy the other night.”
Kinsley blinked. “You. Followed. Him?”
Remy nodded. “Into Whitby Falls.” She placed two of the small thin bottles of bath salts on the bookshelf, then turned back to the girls, who started at her intently. “Asher’s concerned. The guy met up with some other guys that Boone arrested last year—something to do with organized crime.”
“That sounds bad,” Peyton commented.
Remy shrugged. “Well, it’s certainly not great, especially because I have no idea why he’s sticking around here.”
Kinsley examined Remy, her eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “If Asher’s on it, then I’ve got no doubt he’ll get this guy out of town soon enough.” She jumped off the counter and moved a little closer. “And speaking of Asher, you two looked very cozy on that rock last night.”
Remy shrugged. “Things are good, and I’m letting it be whatever it is.”
Peyton moved on to the tester candle and took a deep sniff. “Are you two going to get back together?”
“God, no!” Remy exclaimed before reining it back in and sighing heavily. “I just like spending time with Asher again. And with all that’s happened…”
“Having amazing orgasms is just a good thing.” Kinsley grinned.
Remy bit her lip.
“Ha!” Kinsley said, pointing at Remy with a smile. “I knew it. You two are totally getting all hot and heavy!”
Heat swept through Remy’s cheeks. She quickly turned away and organized some jars on the bookshelf. “Don’t get all worked up about it. We’re just…like I said, whatever, and we’re trying to figure out how to be friends again without all the painful memories.”
Kinsley moved even closer. “Well, ‘whatever’ looks good on you. If you’re happy, I’m happy.” She threw her arms around Remy.
Remy hugged her back, getting a good whiff of Kinsley’s honey and oats shampoo. Which Remy recommended she used because most days Kinsley was high-strung. It seemed to relax her some. Though she told Kinsley the shampoo was for dry skin. “You know,” Remy said, leaning away, “as crazy as it all is, I actually feel happy. I always thought I needed a plan, but where did that get me? I’m just doing what feels good and not putting too much thought into that.”
“I don’t think that’s crazy one bit.” Peyton hugged her next, squeezing tight. “You deserve to be happy, Remy.”
“Thanks.” Remy smiled as Peyton leaned away.
“I’ve got to scram to get ready for tonight,” Kinsley said, moving toward the door. “The bar’s going to be jampacked.” When she opened the door, she turned back to Remy. “Drinks after work?”
