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I didn’t have much time, but rituals were necessary for more than one reason. If I skipped them, my thoughts became chaotic, and in turn, the energy around me would follow suit.
I grabbed the deck I was using for the month and shuffled quickly.
My backup alarm filled the room with “Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles, my five-minute warning.
“Time to go.” I flipped my daily card and pulled my shadow card from the bottom of the deck. “Could be worse. All about beginnings today.” The reversed Major Arcana card gave me a little pause though.
It usually signaled big life movements.
“It’s just a temp gig, Universe.” I swiped up the cards and dumped them in their deck bag, and then tossed it in my purse along with a few snack items. I double-checked I had my phone and wallet—I couldn’t count the number of times I’d left my apartment without them—then headed for the door.
Just before I opened it, I rushed back to my altar and snagged a few crystals. Better to be prepared for whatever came my way today.
I shut the door just as Harry finished singing about all the dirty things he was going to do to some lucky girl.
I flew down the stairs and out to the alleyway behind my building. It was a shortcut to Garden Avenue. Since I was on the verge of running late and wearing heels, I’d shave any minutes I could.
I skirted the crunch of kids playing kickball on one of the quieter side streets.
“Hey, lady!” A freckled boy with a wicked head of red curls whistled at me.
“Can’t talk. Late.”
“Come on. Kick the ball with us.”
I turned to walk backwards. “Do I look like I’m wearing the clothes for kickball?”
“No, but you’re way prettier than my friends. Come on, please?”
I grinned. Bold little charmer. “Not sure your friends would be happy to hear that.”
The ginger’s friend took the opportunity to whale him with the ball. “Out!”
I laughed. “See?”
“Come on, now our team needs you.”
I shook my head and crossed the street. “Nope, sorry. Next time.” I secured my bag over my arm and almost made it to the corner. But damn, his friend had a hell of an arm.
The thwack of the ball connecting with my ass shocked me enough that I almost turned my ankle on the cracked sidewalk.
“If I have a smudge on my ass from that ball, I’ll find you tomorrow!” I picked up the ball and hurled it at his friend with the smirky, crooked mouth. I took a little joy in the fact that he ducked just in time for the ginger to take the ball in the center of his chest.
I smoothed my hand over my butt and made it to Garden Avenue. Only three blocks left to my favorite bakery. It just happened to be across from PMS’s office.
“Watch it, lady.”
A flash of jet black hair flew like a tangle of ribbons behind a chick with a lime green helmet. She was hunched over her bike, a matching backpack emblazoned with Lightning Messenger Service strapped to her lean frame.
The universe was literally trying to take me out today.
I glanced up at the clock in the middle of Kensington Square. “It’s a miracle,” I said under my breath. It was ten of nine. I might even be right on time.
The little bell over The Honey Pot’s door jangled on my way in.
A tall woman with dark hair streaked liberally with scarlet highlights waved at me. “Hey, Ryan. What brings you out and about so early?” She wiped her hands on her apron and gave me a dazzling smile. Eeyore’s woefully sweet face was splashed across the front of her T-shirt.
“Mornin’, Dre.” I dug into my bag. “I’m temping this week at a lawyer’s office, if you can believe it. I was told bribing him with coconut or caramel would be a good way to make the week go smoothly.”
