Will’s blue eyes darted to my face. “This has nothing to do with wanting to look good for that dish of a cop?”
Heat flushed up my neck, and I sucked in a quick breath. “No.” It really didn’t. Though being around Peter and the other cops and people we’d interviewed had made me realize how far I’d let myself go. Surely sprucing up the ol’ appearance a little wasn’t a bad thing?
“Hm.”
Will was clearly unconvinced.
“So… you’re not getting evicted? Yet?”
I rolled my eyes. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, but no, you won’t have a new roommate anytime soon.” I batted my lashes at him. “Try to contain your disappointment.” I grinned and settled back into the chair. “Peter said he’s going to officially put me on the list of police liaisons and consultants.” I shrugged. “With more jobs coming in through them—good paying jobs, too— I don’t think I’ll be worrying about making rent for a while.”
Will pressed his lips tight and nodded down at his paperwork.
Uh-oh. It was not like Will to hold back on saying anything that came into his mind.
He’d once taken a bite of stir fry, immediately spat it out, and accused the street food vendor of serving us sewer rat. He’d even taken samples back to his clinic, tested them in the lab, then marched us both back to the stall with evidence and demanded a refund. I mean… he hadn’t been wrong, though my stomach wished he had.
I shot him a flat look. “Spit it out.”
His throat bobbed. “Look. I’m glad you’re finally putting your talents to good use.”
“But?” I lifted a brow.
“But—” He let out a heavy sigh and looked up, throwing the clipboard onto the counter behind. “But what in the shell are you thinking, Jolene?” He gaped at me. “Peter? Don’t forget it’s Officer Flint to you and the rest of us bottom-dwelling Darkmoon denizens, not to mention”—he lowered his voice to a hiss—“shifters! I’m sure it’s fun to get caught up in the fantasy, Jolene, but this is all we can be—don’t forget, we have to live in the shadows.”
My stomach sank. “It doesn’t have to be the case. Not everyone despises us.” I’d spent the last couple of days trying to remind myself not to trust Peter, not to let him get too close.
But hearing Will say the exact same thing made me want to defend him—Peter was different. I gulped. But… was he?
Will crouched down in front of me again, this time gripping the arms of the chair. With his height, he was nearly eye level with me. “And what about Ludolf, hm? El head honcho himself isn’t going to be happy about you working with the police.”
I tilted my head to the side and shot Will a “get real” look. “I’m not afraid of Ludolf.”
Pain flashed across my friend’s eyes. “You should be.”
I sat forward and placed a hand on his beefy shoulder. “Look, I’m not entangled with the head honcho—we have nothing to do with each other, I’ve been very careful to keep it that way.”
“Doesn’t mean he wants it to stay that way.” He lifted his brows. “If he thinks you working with the police might endanger the secret society, he’ll—”
I squeezed his shoulder. “I’ll cross that moat when—if—we get there, okay?” I sighed and shot him an earnest look. “It just—it feels really good to be helping people again—getting justice for those who deserve it.” I gulped, my throat tight. “It’s what I miss most about being a lawyer.”
Will’s big eyes searched my face, and I stared right back at him, though I had to fight to keep the emotion from welling in my eyes. He finally gave a nod and rose.
“There will be consequences with Ludolf Caterwaul.” He pressed his lips tight together. “I just want you to be prepared.”
I rolled my eyes, eager to clear the air and bring back the levity. “Alright, Dr. Doom and Gloom.”
He raised his brows as if to say, “I’m serious.”
I licked my lips and stood. “Listen—if there are any, it’ll be worth it. Plus, I can handle myself.” I rubbed my hands together. “Now, what are we getting for dinner.”
Will, eyes on his papers, scoffed.
“I’m paying.” I waggled my brows.
Will jerked his head up. “Don’t toy with me.”
I grinned and placed a hand over my heart. “On my honor.”
He sniffed as he shoved the clipboard aside and ripped off his white lab coat. “Honor among thieves.”
I chuckled as he shouted out to his assistant. “Heidi—flip the sign to Closed. We’re going out to eat—Jolene’s treat.”
There was a moment of silence, followed by a crash, like a metal tray had dropped to the floor. “For real?” came Heidi’s disbelieving voice.
I rolled my eyes. “Such confidence in me.” But it felt good to be able to do something for my friends. It felt like I’d gotten a little piece of the old me back.
Book 2: Runway rivalries. An arcane arachnid. Can Jolene unravel this designer death? Read Friday Night Bites to solve a fashion forward mystery with Jolene, Peter and Daisy!
FRIDAY NIGHT BITESis available on Amazon in ebook, paperback and audiobook at https://amzn.to/2CA2GBn
CLICK HERE to get your FREE copy of Saved by the Spell and check out rookie officer Peter Flint’s first case with Daisy. Saved by the Spell is the prequel to the Magic Market paranormal cozy mystery series: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/39ltzc764w
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I raised a fist and banged against the black metal door. I’d have missed it in the near utter darkness of the narrow alley if I hadn’t known the way to my friend Will’s illicit veterinarian clinic like the back of my own hand.
Speaking of the back of my hand… I lifted my other wrist to my mouth and licked up a drip
