Page 13 of Welcome to Fae Cafe
“I know you’ll be mad if I bring it up, but,” Lily crouched and took a screw from the case, then pressed it against a cabinet door, “are you sure you’re not mixing up real life with one of those novels you’re writing? If you’re starting to get confused, I know a good therapi—”
Kate sighed. “Really, Lily? A therapist?”
Lily bit her lips shut. A moment later, she mumbled, “There’s nothing wrong with going to see a therapist. I saw one for years after—”
“Here’s what happened.” Kate cleared her throat loudly. “I went to the coffee shop down the street this morning to check out our competition, and some guy walked in and was a total jerk, and Iaccidentallykicked him into a table, and—”
“Accidentally kicked him into a table? How do youaccidentallydo that?” Lily rested the drill on her knee.
“—but the body was gone when I came back to the café withOfficer Westbow, and everyone was acting like nothing happened and saying they didn’t remember me being there.” Kate went to the chair where her coat was flung over the backrest and pulled herBella Stonebook from her coat pocket. “But this proves that I was there and that itdidhappen.” She flipped the pages so Lily could see.
Lily took the book and brushed over the coffee-stained corner with her thumb.
Kate reached for the novel and tugged it back, thinking better of it. Suddenly, she wondered why in the world she’d been so quick to drag Lily into the story. No story that started with murder had a happy ending.
“I mean, maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m just getting mixed up because of the novel I’m writing. My story has major constituent vibes.” She glanced off. The chocolate on her strawberries was starting to melt.
Lily rubbed her temples. “First, I don’t think you realize whatconstituentmeans.” Her pale blue eyes settled on Kate. “And second, I already told you I believe you,” she said and folded her arms again. “Let’s go find the body.”
Kate clasped her hands around the book. “I’ve got my literature class in the morning. Maybe tomorrow afternoon.”
“Someone could find the body by then, Kate.”
Kate swallowed. “Unfortunately, Lily,” she went over and shoved the book back into her coat pocket, “I think someone already did.”
When she turned back around, Lily was massaging her eyes with her palms.
“I’ll go to the coffee shop and take a look around,” Lily said. “But I’m doing a double shift since we’re so low staffed. I have to go back to the station after or the chief is going to wonder where I am.”
“Be careful,” Kate said, moving for the rusted coffee machine on the counter and pouring a fresh cup for Lily to take. “Something weird is going on at that coffee shop. I’m sure of it.”
Lily dragged her uniform off the counter and took the coffee with her other hand. “I’ll call you in the morning,” she promised. “Just stay here until then and keep out of trouble, okay?”
Kate nodded, and Lily headed for the door while threading her arms back into her uniform with her one usable hand. The bell echoed through the empty storefront when she left. Kate watched her friend head down the sidewalk until she disappeared from the windows.
The moon turned the roads silver, and gray leaves tumbled by in the wind. The soft patter of rain filled the café as it began pelting the windows. Kate didn’t realize how long she was standing there staring out at the spot where Lily had disappeared until the café door squeaked open again. She hadn’t even seen anyone walk up.
Ben—the loan shark—walked in with his shirt untucked. The bottom of his large stomach hung out, and his shoulders were speckled with fresh raindrops. His scowl was deep and volatile enough to start an earthquake on his face.
Kate swallowed her moan. “I don’t have it,” she told him before he could ask. “I’ll make both months’ payments next month.”
Ben’s chin doubled when he tilted his head and grunted. “You’re the one who talked me into giving you and your cop friend my money. I gave you that loan three months ago and you haven’t even opened your store yet!”
“It’s a café,” Kate corrected.
“Whatever. I want my money back! Don’t make me send someone after you,” he threatened, and Kate raised a brow. She realized Lily left her vest on the counter, so she went over to pick it up and turned it so Ben could see.
“I’ll be sure to pass that message along to mycop friend,” Kate said, tapping the police logo. “Or did you forget the law doesn’t look kindly on men who act like thugs?”
Ben’s thick finger came out. “Give me my money back, Kate! You don’t want to find out what I’m capable of!”
Kate cast him a doubtful look, but she sighed and nodded. “Give us a chance to open this place. My cop friend and I will give your loan back with interest like I promised.”
Ben looked around at the unfinished cabinets, the unpainted walls, and the cold fireplace in the corner. His only answer was a snort as he spun and left, letting the door smack shut with a thud. His voice drifted in from outside as he yelled at someone, “Are you her cop friend? Tell her to pay me back!”
Kate picked up her clipboard with a sigh and walked around the counter as the café door opened again. “Did you forget your vest—”
Two hands grabbed Kate by her waist. She was pushed backward and pinned against the wall—the clatter of her clipboard filled the empty café as it hit the floor. Her gaze fired up to find a pair of menacing turquoise eyes looking back, and the air slipped from her lungs. The stranger held her against the wall, his lips pinched, his jaw set. He said nothing. He just stared with a hatred colder than Kate had ever felt before.
