Maybe classic white with a nice waistcoat? No, that was too much for a place like this. He glanced at his two remaining pairs of shoes. Flip-flops for the shower and a pair of navy-blue canvas sneakers.
His gaze landed on the blue check shirt he’d bought at the same time as his boots. It wasn’t flannel, and it was still crisp and new, but it had the right casual yet into-you vibe he wanted.
Or he was completely over thinking this, and he should be searching for an outfit that was more ‘Don’t kill me because you’re my familiar’. He hadn’t packed for that occasion. The one outfit he hadn’t unpacked was the one he’d brought for when the Coven came to strip his powers; a black suit for the death of his magic.
He was running out of time to get ready and to solve the case. He needed Mack’s help. They’d made a good team today, and for the moment that was all that mattered.
He pulled off the towel and put on clean jeans and the check shirt. His boots would’ve looked so much better, but they really needed the time to dry. He checked his reflection and gave his hair a final adjustment.
It was just a burger with Mack.
Which completely explained why his gut was in knots and his heart was hoping. He wanted to blame the magical bond, but that kick had been there the moment he’d seen Mack in the bar.
Now Mack knew something was up, and he wanted the truth.
Jude was so not ready to give that to him. But if the bear shifter would help him, and trust him, then it needed to be said. He had no idea how to spit those words out. As he finished getting ready, he tried a few different ways.
“I didn’t know it would happen.” That was obvious. If he had, he wouldn’t have kissed Mack. If they hadn’t kissed, the bond wouldn’t have started to form.
“I’m just as surprised as you.” Surprised wasn’t the right word. Horrified, maybe? Mack would be horrified. He winced. Mack couldn’t hate him that much if he was agreeing to help. Maybe the gruffness was a bit of an act.
He forced a smile, and his reflection smiled back at him. “This could be a good thing. Maybe we should test it?” He added a wink in case Mack didn’t get the hint he was still interested in more than hunting creatures.
That was definitely too much.
He put his wallet in his pocket and grabbed the room key. Whatever he said, it was going to be the wrong thing. It usually was when it came to Mack. Maybe they should do less talking.
The diner was decked out in red-and-white checked tablecloths and had four large TVs, each showing different sports. Mack already had a table and was watching the cage fighting while sipping a beer. Two muscular men hitting each other wasn’t Jude’s idea of sport, mostly because he winced with each blow. None of the TVs had motor sports. A fast car or a fast bike he could appreciate. Guess no one else felt that way around here. He made his way over, and Mack gave a nod as a greeting.
Why had he fretted about what to say? Mack would be quite happy if they sat there and said nothing. Except something had to be said. There was a weird creature hunting, and Mack was a witch’s familiar. His familiar. There were bonds and magic and things between them. He didn’t know what it would be like if he left town and it hadn’t been resolved.
Sitting opposite him, within touching distance, had already given him a slice of calm that had been lacking. Because he was close to his familiar or because Mack was calm, and Jude was picking up on it?
He picked up the menu and pretended to study it while instead studying Mack’s face. His gaze was fixed on the TV, but tension crinkled the corners of his eyes. His lips were almost curved, as though he was capable of a smile when Jude walked in but had chosen not to. Jude had seen that smile the first time they’d spoken. His use of magic had killed it. If he had the power to go back and warn himself not to be rash and to take that night of fun…he’d still be in this situation of having Mack as his familiar and a creature to hunt.
“It helps to read the menu,” Mack said without glancing at him, then he hissed and looked away from the TV. “That’s got to hurt.”
Jude glanced up and wished he hadn’t. There was too much blood on the guy’s face. “How do you watch it?”
“With my eyes.” Mack shrugged. “I like it. They have skill.” His gaze met Jude’s then slid over his checked shirt. That almost-smile grew the tiniest amount. “Not wearing your boots tonight?”
He didn’t want to think about his boots or the time he’d spent scraping cow shit off them. He’d order the biggest slab of dead cow they had and enjoy every bite. “I brought more than one pair of shoes.”
The waitress came up, wanting to know their order. Mack rattled off what had to be his usual, plus another beer. Jude took those thirty seconds to scan the menu and decide on the deluxe burger with the lot. He got the same beer that Mack was drinking to keep things simple.
“So, about today.” Jude wiped his hands on his jeans and tried to relax. “What is it?”
“You’re the investigator.”
“You’re the local.”
Mack nodded. “I poked my head into the historical society. The person we want to talk to will be back at the end of the week. She’s been visiting her new granddaughter. Apparently, Helen knows all about the local legends. The woman I spoke to called them ghost stories and laughed.”
“You didn’t laugh.”
And Mack wasn’t smiling now.
“We both know that ghosts can be a pain in the ass,”
