Chapter 10
In less than four hours—Juni, Georgie, and I find ourselves standing in the lobby of the Magic Castle. They’ve just opened up for the evening, and I’ve got my credit card ready and raring to go once we get to the bar. I’m more than a bit suspicious as to why both Juni and Macy got theirs stolen here last night, and I’m wondering if there’s some connection to Zeke’s cryptic words.
“My credit card company is launching an investigation,” Juni huffs as she inches up her lime green skirt. I’m pretty sure it’s made out of vinyl, either that or Saran Wrap, but regardless, she’s got a matching top and matching lime green fishnets to go along with it. Her shoes are a bit more in the turquoise department, but anything goes when it comes to investigative fashion sense.
“I hope you get your money back,” I say. “Let me do all the talking once we get to the bar.”
It’s cool inside, dimly lit, and the carpeted floors dampen the sound unnaturally.
“Are you kidding?” Juni balks at the idea. “I’m not going anywhere near the bar. I may not get my money back.”
“Me neither.” Georgie shudders and the tiny sequins sewn into her butter yellow kaftan shine like glitter. “It’s bad enough I’m living hoof to mouth. The last thing I need is a ding on my credit score.”
I blink back at her comments but decide not to engage. Certainly Georgie has a right to care for her credit score. And if she wants to call the attachments at the base of her lower limbs hooves, who am I to stop her? Believe me, I’ve tried to stop Georgie before, and it’s never been pretty.
“That’s fine,” I say, giving a quick glance to the bar, which seems to be teeming with dapper men and dolled up women in cocktail dresses just like it was last night. “You two enjoy the show. I’ll hang around the bar and see if I can figure out what this Collective is.”
“Ohh.” Georgie slaps her hands together. “I hope that cutie patootie, Archie, is up next. I’ve got my best over the shoulder boulder holder on in the event he wants to make it disappear.”
Juni raises her hand and grunts as if she were dying to be heard next.
“Go ahead.” I’m not fighting crazy tonight.
“I’ve got my surprise undies on tonight.” Juni waggles her brows. “If that man comes a knockin’, my drawers will go a droppin’.”
I squeeze my eyes shut tight a moment.
“That’s lovely, but I actually don’t think Archie is performing tonight.” I glance at the roster in my hand. “No, it’s a woman and she’s doing culinary magic. Doesn’t that sound delicious?”
Both Georgie and Juni start in on a whine.
Georgie tosses her hands in the air. “Why didn’t you tell me that before we left? I would have worn my house slippers. Instead, I got all fancied up.” She flashes a flip-flop our way.
Not to be outdone by her mother, Juni scoffs hard.
“If I wanted to watch food disappear, I could have stayed at home,” she says. “I’ve got an entire batch of those blondie bars waiting to do just that.”
“That does sound good.” My stomach rumbles as if annunciating my point. I may have staved off dinner. Jasper is getting home late tonight and asked if I wanted to split some takeout later. And seeing I’m not one to say no to a handsome man who just so happens to be packing heat with those kisses, of course, I said yes.
A familiar brunette is about to pass us but then backtracks.
“You’re back.” Bernie’s eyes grow in amusement. Her curls are glossy and look as if she sprinkled glitter in them, and she has on bright fuchsia lipstick that glows against her complexion. “Well, I guess that means you enjoyed the show. I’ve got a great table up front if you’d like it.”
Juni is back to raising her hand. “Fun zone, please.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Bernie laughs. “Right this way, ladies.”
“Actually”—I lean in—“I thought I’d enjoy this one over by the bar.”
“The bar?” Her eyes bug out about as far as they can go.
“Yeah.” I lift a shoulder. “What can I say, I’m a feeling little thirsty tonight.”
Her lips come together like a perfect bowtie. I highly doubt she has any idea what she’s in for. I should probably say something.
Bernie bites down on her lip. “How about I bring you as many drinks as you want? I’ll even throw in the first one for free.” Take the deal, Bizzy. You don’t want any piece of that action.
My mouth falls open. “No, that’s okay. My fiancé is meeting me here soon, and I told him to look for me at the bar.”
“Oh.” She wrinkles her nose. “If it’s just for a little while, you should be fine.” She gives a sly wink. “Some of the men here can get a little frisky. If they ask you to pick up a drink for them, I’d say no.” She gives a hard nod before leading Juni and Georgie away.
Did she imply that the men at the bar would ask me to buy them a drink?
A thought comes to me. Wait a minute… Both Macy and Juni had their credit cards swiped. I bet the Collective is some greasy scam where a ring of well-trained thieves plunders a woman for all she’s worth—or at least all her credit card can handle. I’ve heard all about those kinds of people. They’re the reason my mother gave Macy and me aluminum wallets for Christmas. They’ll probably be the reason we’ll all be walking around encased in matching aluminum uniforms one day, too. And here I thought the dress code of the future would be something born of brotherly love, and the real deal has more to do with the fact the future is rife with thugs.
Oddly enough, every man at, around, and near the bar is wearing a neat three-piece suit.
