“Thank you, Grimm.” I moved down the aisle and toward the back office. A window gave view of my father, sitting in a chair behind the desk while Morty sat in a chair on the other side, both of them laughing over something.
I swung open the door. “Hi!”
My father’s gaze swiveled toward me. “Emma! I thought you weren’t coming for your afternoon check-in.”
I bristled, shame bubbling up that he’d actually think I wouldn’t come “Nonsense.” I strode forward. “Just got a little busy at the shop.” I was about to tell him what we were having for lunch when I realized I didn’t come with any food.
My hand floated up to my forehead. I was forgetting all kinds of things today.
“Well, it appears I don’t have lunch for us.” I held up my empty hands with an apologetic smile.
“Don’t worry. Morty brought me lunch.” He gestured to two empty bowls sitting on the table. “A nice veggie stew.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“Oh. That was nice of you, Morty.”
The three of us fell into silence, and I rocked on my heels. “So Morty, what brings you in today?”
Morty tugged at one of her spiral curls. “Since I don’t have a pet dragon anymore, I thought I might see about getting myself another animal. I asked your father for some recommendations, we got to talking, and I offered to get us lunch so we could continue our conversation. You know how it goes.”
“Have you decided on a familiar?” I gestured out the window at the shelves full of them.
“Oh, goodness, no. It’s so hard to choose.” Morty pointed out the window. “They all stare at me with those wide eyes, and I just can’t make a decision today. I’ll have to come back, take my time, so I can make the right choice.”
I reached into my pocket to pull out a leaf. “Ready for your medicine?” I asked my father.
He patted his belly. “Already took it.”
“You did?” I asked.
He nodded, a proud smile on his face.
“Well, I guess I’ll be back at third bell,” I said, not quite sure what was happening. “And I’ll cook for us tonight?”
Father reached for a cup of water sitting on his desk and took a sip. “Of course, Emma Bear. That would be lovely.”
“Great,” I said, feeling a creeping unease, but I wasn’t sure why.
“How are things at Steeped in Love?” Morty asked, leaning forward, chin propped in her hand.
“Good!” I said, probably too quickly because both Morty and my father frowned. I averted my gaze. “There’s been a few bumps here and there...”
“Is that a cut on your hand?” My father pointed to a thin line of blood on my palm. I must’ve gotten cut when the window shattered and didn’t realize it.
“Is that shop still misbehaving?” Morty asked. “I swear, so much attitude in that one.”
“Erm, yes,” I said. “It’s not taking to me as quickly as I would’ve liked. But I’m sure it will soon.”
I was a lovely person. Yes, I could be high strung and anxious and obsessed with organization, but I was nice. The shop had no reason not to like me.
“No loitering!” Grimm’s voice called. “Only serious customers allowed in the store. Please, there’s too many of you!”
A gaggle of women giggled and shrieked.
“I’m here for Emma,” a low voice said in response, and I stiffened.
Riven. He’d followed me over here after I ran out on him. I groaned. I’d been so rude, rushing away without even explaining.
My father stood from his chair and arched his neck to get a good view. “What’s going on out there?”
