When Liora beamed at me across the table, I chuckled.That smile.She brings me joy.And maybe she was the one extending to meone hundred thousand welcomes.Maybeshe was whatIneeded in my life.
Maybe this was the beginning of something very good.
CHAPTER TEN
LIORA
It was my first shift at The Tipsy Thistle, and I’d hit the ground running. Despite Graham claiming that business had slowed, I certainly couldn’t see a difference. There was a busy lunch rush where I’d just done my best to keep up and do as I was told, and now I was taking a break to tuck into my own late lunch in the lull before happy hour started.
I was buzzing though, just buzzing, as excitement consumed me. A few locals had remembered me, and were cheerful about me working for Graham, and I realized that maybe I’d given the rumor Avery started far too much weight in my own life.
Maybe I was giving a lot of other people’s opinions too much weight in my life.
It was definitely something I needed to think about, more seriously, as I had to admit I was itching to get back to my astrology readings. It would take time to build up any local business, but I still had a functioning website and enough of a following that I could re-open my bookings anytime. Particularlyas we were approaching a new year. It was always a wonderful time for people to get a reading and plan ahead for any significant changes in the year ahead.
“I’ll take it that’s a yes?”
I blinked at Graham, who must have spoken to me while I was daydreaming about my business.
“I’m sorry, I missed that.”
“I asked if the food suits.” Graham gestured with the towel he was using to wipe down the bar.
“Och, aye. It’s grand, thanks.” It was simple enough—coronation chicken sandwich and vegetable soup—but the servings were hearty and I could use the sustenance to get me through the dinner shift. “People seem really chuffed with the food here.”
“Aye, I’ve got a new lad in the kitchen. He’s been a real treat to work with. Shows up on time, cooks hearty simple meals that are fan favorites, and so far has been able to manage the workload. Though I may need to get a sous chef on board during busier times.”
“Is there anything I can do to help there?” I was eager to please Graham, hoping at the very least, to keep employment as long as possible.
“Do you have kitchen experience?” Graham lifted an eyebrow at me.
“Sadly, none. Actually, now that I think about it, best to keep me out of the kitchen.” Graham and I both laughed as the outer door opened and a woman walked in.
“Agnes!” I exclaimed, jumping out of my seat. I hadn’t seen Agnes in years, but we followed each other on socials and occasionally dropped each other a message. “You look great.”
“Do I?” Agnes glanced down at her jumper dress, the fabric wrapped softly around her trim body. A necklace with a bookcharm on it hung around her neck, and small sparkly hoops hung at her ears. “Thank you, I’ve got a date later.”
Graham slammed the stock notebook he’d been writing in and glowered at Agnes.
“Is that right?”
“Aye, that’s right.” Agnes shot Graham an unreadable look and took the stool next to me. “Mind if I crash your lunch?”
“Nae bother.” I glanced to where Graham continued to glower at Agnes and tried to gauge the energy bouncing off the two of them. “Just enjoying a bite after my first lunch shift.”
“Are you working here then? Och, that’s grand. I’ll see more of you then. I heard you were back in town, and I’ve been meaning to reach out. It’s been a busy week.”
“Sounds like it,” Graham muttered, rounding the bar to go wipe tables across the room. Agnes cast him a look, again, her eyes shuttered, and then turned back to me.
“It’s been busy for me as well. Just needed to get settled a bit. It’s only been less than a week since I’ve been back.” I spooned up some veggie soup and swallowed, enjoying the light hint of heat in the added spice, and thought about the last few days.
Nothing had happened since I’d taken the oath.
It had been four days, and I’d only managed to see my sister once, as she was so busy with work, but in that time I hadn’t quite been able to admit to her that I’d screwed up a spell. Instead, I’d focused on the good news of me finding a job and joining the Order but had stayed away from any magickal screwups. I didn’t like when Zara furrowed her brow and concern settled on her face whenever she spoke about my latest mishaps. Better to just keep everything on positive news for now.
But still, I was waiting to see what would happen when it came to the Order and these supposed magickal challenges.
Yet nothing had happened.