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Legend strolls in, a harem of girls surrounding him as per usual. Around here, he’s known as the softest Deveraux brother. The sweet, kind, gentle one of us four.
He is all those things, but he’s also a swordfish in a tank full of sharks, seemingly the underdog when he’s anything but. His ability to shut down the anger or panic or pain of others is highly underrated and he fucking loves it that way.
Rather than dropping into his usual seat, he steps up behind me with a grin so fucking smug I can only glare at his ass.
“What?”
“Found her.”
My fist tightens around my fork, and it takes real effort to keep my face blank. “Found who?”
That smirk on his face only spreads. “I’ll give you three guesses, but you and I both know you only need one.”
My pulse fucking jumps, my cock right there with it.
’Cause he fucking found her.
She’s here, in this town.
And she’s got some fucking explaining to do.
Seven
London
My hand grazes over the cool stone as I step back, taking in my work. Rose quartz. The stone of love, self-love, emotional calm, and healing.
Leaning down to come eye-level to the sphere, I look deep into the pastel pink swirls of the gem. I’m not a big fan of rose quartz. It has always seemed too pretty, too tame. Like it was trying too hard to be perfect.
I turn around to the other shelf, my muscles relaxing when I settle on the dark obsidian cluster. I like the masculinity of the stone. Protection—power. Safety. My hand grazes over the hard curves and I inhale when I feel the slight tickle of warmth rush down my back. I’m not sure what it is about the idea of safety and protection that speaks to me. It’s not like I’ve been in any sort of danger. At least, not the real kind. In ‘danger’ of failing my classes? Always, but the kind that hurts or leaves you broken and bruised? Not so much. I smirk to myself. Maybe these bad boys are doing as they’re intended.
I know a lot of people are skeptical about crystals and the properties they hold, but I don’t know. I often think I feel it sometimes, especially with the darker stones. When I left home to join Ben here in Daragan, I was bummed I wouldn’t be able to visit my favorite shop anymore, so when he surprised me and brought me here on one of my quick day trips to visit him last year, I was juiced.
At first, they weren’t keen on hiring me, but once I officially moved here this summer, I wore them down. Coming in twice a day every single day will do that.
“Lonny!”
“Yes?” I chuckle, bouncing to the front counter. I flip open the store Zippo and light the tip of an incense.
“Help!”
“Oh my god, Justice!” I leave the Zippo on the glass counter and make my way to the back of the room, pushing open the door and brushing away the dust particles from the previous century.
“Sorry…” Justice shrugs but flashes me a wide-tooth smile. His dark brown hair flops to the side of his head as he hands me the box from up above. Stepping down the ladder, his Vans land on the concrete floor. “To be fair, I did need help.”
“Sure.” I carry the box out to the front, placing it on the counter. “What is it?”
Justice pulls out a stool, clearly excited as he whips out a blade from his back pocket. He stabs the middle of the tape before placing it back down. “Check it out.” He tosses a little bag at my chest and I catch it mid-air, bringing it up to my face to see what it is. Little moss-looking stones roll around the bag, and my stomach twists.
“Wait. Are these?”
His smile stretches wide. One that showcases his best asset. Veneer quality teeth. “Moldavite?”
“Damn, boy!” I pull the little stones out from the bag, rolling them around my palm. Moldavite has never caught my attention. I don’t crave the chaos that this particular crystal can bring. I’m more of a black tourmaline, onyx, obsidian type of girl. “Well, I gotta say…I’d never pay.”
“Pssshh!” He snickers, snatching the stones out of my palm when he sees my lack of interest. “One, we could never afford it.”
“True.” I lean down beneath the counter, brushing past all of the dust to find my wallet. “I can afford lunch, though.” I stand. “Joey’s?”
He rests his arm over my shoulder, directing me out of the store, but not before flicking the sign over to Closed. “You know, one of these days, I’m going to convince you to go on a proper date with me. One that doesn’t include greasy burgers and mid-day drunks.”
I stifle my laugh, turning to lock the door with my set of keys before grabbing his hand that’s resting on my shoulder and tucking farther into his grasp. “I tend to like mid-day drunks and greasy burgers.”
