Free The Shoppe of Spells by Shanon Grey Page A

making her way over to them, waving and smiling. Morgan, too, smiled.
    “That is also an interesting story,” he said, then added, “for later.”
    Teresa swept through the branches, leaned over, and gave Dorian a loud smack on the cheek. “Heard you pissed off Jas,” she chortled.
    “Now, how’d you hear that?” He lifted a brow.
    “Well,” she drawled out, “if I hadn’t gotten an earful from Julia Emerson and that group—”
    “The little old ladies from this morning,” he interjected for Morgan’s benefit.
    Morgan smiled and nodded. She’d liked them, as invasive as they were.
    “Jasmine, her royal self, decided to grace us with her presence for lunch.” She turned an eye on Morgan. “Haven’t been in town twenty-four hours and already you have her hackles up.”
    “I didn’t mean—”
    “Shoosh.” Teresa waved her quiet. “Everything gets that girl’s hackles up, especially if it pertains to Dorian here.”
    “Teresa,” he implored.
    “Well, honey bunny, she sure is upset with you. Both of you. Good thing that girl doesn’t have any might in her magic or you’d be croaking—as in ribbit.” She turned on Morgan, her smile full beam. “I don’t even want to think what she’d like to do to you,” she laughed long and loud. “Does my heart good. She gets away with way too much as it is. Now, whatcha gonna have?” she asked without taking a breath.
    Morgan realized there were no menus. “Whatever is good?”
    “You?” she glanced at Dorian.
    “Oh, I’ll have the same,” he said, his eyes twinkling.
    “Be right out. You two enjoy.” With a wave, Teresa was off toward the house, waving at other seated guests as she passed.
    “I like her,” Morgan said.
    “And she likes you. Especially since you let her do the ordering.”
    “There weren’t any menus.”
    “You noticed.” He laughed and added, “You did just right, and you’ll have the best lunch you’ve ever eaten. Plus, you pleased her.”
    Morgan found herself focusing on his smile. When he smiled, really smiled, his blue eyes sparkled and the fine lines in the corners of his eyes crinkled, showing her he knew how to laugh and did so often—just not with her.
    “How’s that?” she asked, forcing herself back to their conversation.
    “Jasmine’s her cousin.”
    She sucked in her breath. “Oh, Dorian, I’m so sorry.”
    He laughed. “Don’t be. She had it coming. She and Teresa are as different as night and day.” He sobered somewhat. “They are both from founding families, as are you.”
    “Melissa?”
    “And Thomas,” he nodded and waited until the approaching young girl set down two drinks, very nearly dropping them, her eyes so attached to Dorian. He thanked her, ignoring her blush.
    “A fan?” Morgan teased when she left.
    “I used to babysit her, believe it or not. Somewhere in there, she began to grow up but she never quite outgrew the crush. She’s a sweet gal, so I try not to hurt her feelings.”
    “She’s cute.”
    He gave a husky laugh. “Well, I’m afraid I won’t have a chance much longer. She’s going to Emory University in the fall.”
    Morgan watched the pretty young girl clean one of the tables, eyes still lifting repeatedly to look their way. “I don’t know,” she teased. “Looks like true love to me.” She laughed and took a sip of her tea. Peppermint with a hint of lime. Perfect. She let the cold drink run down her parched throat and let her gaze wander around her surroundings.
    Across the water, a wall of what looked like stacked granite rose upward, forming the backdrop for a small waterfall. A pair of swans glided effortlessly across the lake. It was lovely here. When she looked back, Dorian was watching her, a thoughtful expression on his face. “A penny,” she said and smiled at him.
    “Not a million,” he looked away, flustered.
    “Dorian, you started telling me about yourself,” she encouraged, ignoring his comment.
    “There’s not a lot to tell,” he