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Chapter Twenty
After meeting with Jaye, I decide to check out some botany books in Spell Library. I order another unicorn hot chocolate—to go this time—and begin my walk across town. My phone rings, and I answer it with a smile when I see that Oakley is calling me.
“Incubus,” I greet him with a flirty tease in my tone.
“Sweetheart, where are you?”
“I’m just in town, why?”
“You busy?”
“Heading to the library but it shouldn’t take long...why?” I ask again.
“Cool, I’ll meet you there! Then I’ll take you for some dinner.”
“Why?”
“Do I need a reason to see you?” he counters, filling me with suspicion. He sounds far too perky. “I missed you.”
He hangs up before I can say anything, and I resign myself to going along with whatever mischief the sexy incubus has planned. I’m fast learning he’s pretty hard to say no to.
“Hey, Violet,” I call when I enter the library and see her head of dark unruly curls bent over the desk. That girl works way too hard. I wave as she grins at me, and I cross over to chat to her.
“Jasmine, hi!” Her warm brown eyes light up. “I haven’t seen you at the library for a while. Did the research help?”
I frown as I wrack my brains trying to work out what she’s referring to.
“Oh!” I cry, as I remember. “Yes, thank you, the mint was genius. I’ve made hair of the dog herbal hangover cures. There’s virtually no alcohol in them, but they each resemble a mint-based cocktail. The mojito one is flying off the shelves!”
“That’s great.” Violet beams at me, and I mirror the action back at her. I’m really proud of this line I’ve created, and I know I would never have pulled it off without her help.
“I’m so happy it works. I might have to try one myself.”
“Anytime! Stop by the shop and I’ll sort you out, free of charge of course.”
“Thanks. So, what can I help you with today?”
“Actually, I’m looking for some books on trees.”
“Thinking of taking up gardening?”
“Ha! No, nothing like that. I just need to check out defining characteristics of certain species...or are they brands? Types? Styles? I don’t know.”
“Let me look it up.” She turns to her computer. “We’ve got a new database subscription that has exactly what you’re looking for. Says here types or species is fine. Plus, I don’t think they’re branded like your Nike or your Reece’s.” She chuckles. “I found a few articles that seem promising, and I can email them to you if you like. Plus, we have a textbook on dendrology in the reference section. Says here, it’s a comprehensive encyclopaedia of trees. I’m sure you’ll find whatever it is you need in there, and if you don’t, we can always find something else!”
“Sounds great. Can I sign it out then please?”
“Sadly, you can’t take it home because it’s far too valuable, but you can spend as long as you want with it here.”
“Thanks Violet, once again, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Happy to help, dear. Now let me show you where it is.”
I follow her to the back of the library, forgetting to wait for Oakley. She hands me the dendrology book—a huge brick of a tome—and I carry it carefully to a free table. I’m flicking through it, getting distracted by the beautiful hand-drawn illustrations that make my sketches look like child’s finger paintings, when I’m plunged into darkness by hands covering my eyes.
“Guess who?” A low, sexy voice whispers in my ear. I shudder as my body instantly responds to him, and he chuckles as he feels my reaction. Damn incubus! There’s no hiding how much he turns me on.
“I’m 75% sure I can guess,” I joke.
