“And tonight?” I turned slightly as I licked butter off my fingers. I had my own pocket of tricks.
“Tonight, you’ll see it all.” He leaned over and placed a soft kiss to my cheek. “I just hope you’re ready.”
Chapter 10Riley
Caleb was the perfect gentleman through dinner. He kept the conversation going, and made sure I was comfortable. When we finished, the sun had set and darkness had descended on the town.
“Feel like taking a walk?” Caleb had just tossed our trash in a trash can.
“Sure.” I slowly stood and looked around.
“This way.” He held out his hand, and when I grabbed it, he threaded our fingers together. “Is this ok?” He lifted our joined hands.
“It’s fine.” I smiled. “I’m not some breakable person that you have to worry about doing something wrong to.”
“No, but the thought of your dad kicking my ass if I hurt you is like a cloud hanging over me right now.” He swallowed as a sigh escaped him.
“My dad isn’t going to beat you up. I might though if you don’t stop.” I grinned as I swung our joined hands between us.
“Ok, I’ll stop.” We crossed the street, and Caleb directed us to a store that was boasting homemade potions in the window.
The shop was tiny, with items covering every shelf surface. Small vials were sitting on a table when you walked in. “Grab one of those.” Caleb tipped his head toward the table.
“Are we going to make something?” I bounced with excitement.
“Yes.” He chuckled.
We both picked up a vial, and made our way to the wall listing what all the different herbs were used for. I scanned the small drawers in what looked like an oversized dresser that covered the whole wall. There were glass fronts on each drawer with a label as to what it was for. Once you made your choice, you opened the drawer, and put a sample in your vial, and kept repeating it until your vial was full.
I watched as Caleb began pulling drawers and putting small amounts of different herbs in his vial. I was so busy reading the different drawers, trying to decide what I wanted, that I didn’t pay as close attention as I should have.
“Your turn.” Caleb motioned for me to make my concoction.
“You’re finished? What did you pick?” I crinkled up my face.
“Not telling.” He smirked. “Maybe you’ll find out when I use it on you.” He shrugged nonchalantly as he started to walk to the back of the store.
“Fine.” I stuck my nose in the air. “You stay over there. Mine’s a secret too.” I turned so my back was blocking his view. I didn’t really have a plan, but if he thought I did, then that was totally ok by me. I began reading the drawers again: fertility, love, passion, pain, lust, uncontrollable itching, hair loss, skin rash… the list went on. Some of these were downright scary, and I wondered what they really were and if they really had any of these properties.
“Are you done yet?” Caleb glanced back at me, and I looked over my shoulder.
“No.” I shook my head and went back to the drawers. When I’d finally made my choices, I capped the vial and met Caleb at the register.
There was a woman dressed in all black. Her hair was a deep purple, and even her nails were painted black. “Find everything ok?” She looked at Caleb and then at me.
“Mmm hmm.” I smiled.
“Yep.” Caleb pulled his wallet from his back pocket.
“To make your potion, all you need to do is boil a cup of water. Each vial is enough for one portion. Make sure your target drinks the potion immediately, and then sit back and wait.” She handed Caleb his change and offered us a bag, but we both put our vial in our pockets.
When we stepped outside, Caleb glanced at me. “You plan to use your potion?”
“Maybe. Depends on how things go.” I kept things vague. I wanted to see how far I could go with this.
“Did you make something good, or something bad?” He led us around another corner.
“Depends on when I use it. If I’m mad, it will be good for me, bad for who I use it on.” I’d made a love potion, but he didn’t need to know that. If he thought I was out to get him, then maybe he’d stop with the “Princess” stuff.
“What does that mean?” We stopped in front of an ice cream stand.
“It means you better be nice.” I giggled. “Uncontrollable itching can be painful.” I snickered. “Especially when it’s in places you shouldn’t be scratching.”
“My god, woman! What the hell do you plan to do to me?” Caleb’s eyes widened as he pulled cash from his wallet. “Get whatever you want.” He pointed to the ice cream cart.
“Banana split. Two spoons.” I held up two fingers.
“You got it.” The cart guy started scooping ice cream, and Caleb shook his head at me.
“That’s a lot to eat.” He laughed.
“Why do you think I asked for two spoons?” I took the ice cream while Caleb paid.
We sat back down on a bench, and dug into the sweet concoction. About halfway through, Caleb started laughing.
“What?” I rolled my eyes. This had to be another joke.
“Come here.” He motioned with his hand. I leaned forward and so did he. “You gotta little, right here.” He gently wiped the corner of my mouth with a napkin. “There.” He leaned back and the frustration seemed to mount. I thought he was going to finally make a move. I’ve been waiting for it all night. I mean after the party, I kinda want a real one from
