Free Under Her Spell by Isabella Ashe Page A

do that. In her dreams, Zach taunted her, laughed at her, and then -- just before she woke, drenched with sweat -- kissed her gently and sensually on the lips.
     
    "So, what did I miss?"
    Bryony rolled her eyes. "Where do I start? Kasey, you won't believe everything that's been happening around here."
    Kasey Stollmeyer , Bryony's only employee and her best friend since high school, widened her eyes in anticipation. "I leave town for one week, and already I'm behind on the gossip. Another fist fight at the Chamber meeting?"
    "Not exactly." Bryony straightened a display of Tarot cards and moved on to restocking the incense. Technically, she had the weekend off, but she couldn't stay away from Heart's Desire. Even though she trusted Kasey with the shop, she liked to make sure things were just so. Besides, she wanted to get her friend's advice on the situation with Zach. "There's this man . . . ." she began.
    When she reached the part about the love potion and Vivien's idea, Kasey's mouth fell open. "And he agreed to this? Zachary Callahan, playboy publisher, agreed to live with you for almost two weeks?"
    "That's right," Bryony said. "And we'll be alone in the house in a day or two. He's off helping Viv and Kevin move into their new place as we speak."
    "Wow." For once, Kasey was nearly speechless. She tossed her mane of blond hair over her shoulder and threw herself down in the stuffed chair Bryony kept near the book racks. "I've seen pictures. He's a total babe."
    "Yes, he is," Bryony said. "And he's not the least bit in love with me. In another week, he'll go back to San Francisco and tell the world I'm a fraud."
    "Is that really what's bothering you, that he'll make fun of your love potion in his column?" Kasey asked. "Because I seem to remember you saying the potion was just for fun. So maybe it's him not being in love with you that's the problem."
    "What do you mean?" Bryony asked. "Are you implying that I --"
    "Have certain feelings for this guy, and wish he would reciprocate? Exactly."
    "I have to admit, there are moments when he's not so bad. But we can't even talk without fighting. Besides, he's got a thing for rich, sophisticated blondes. I can't compete."
    "Hey, you think he'd be interested in me?" Kasey asked. "Except for the rich part . . . . No, really. I don't see why he shouldn't fall in love with you. You're beautiful, smart, and fun. What else could a guy ask for? You've just got to approach this thing from the right angle."
    "The right angle?" Bryony raised her eyebrows.
    "Yeah. You need a plan."
    "Oh, no," Bryony said. "Not a plan. Between you and Vivien, I'm surprised none of your plans have killed anyone."
    "Not yet," Kasey said with a grin, bouncing up to grab a pen and a pad of paper from beside the cash register. "Now, here's what you have to do . . . ."
    Ten minutes later, they were nearly rolling on the floor with laughter. Kasey had covered the piece of paper titled "Plan for Making Zachary Callahan Fall in Love" with a dozen items, "Cook his favorite meal" being the least outrageous.
    "What's this?" Bryony asked, jabbing her finger at one item on the list. "Kasey, I'm not going to seduce him. That's ridiculous."
    "Well, it's the last resort," Kasey said with mock solemnity. "Don't do that unless all else fails. Except, of course, if you really want to." She smiled devilishly, leering at her friend until Bryony rocked with laughter.
    "Oh, please," Bryony said, giggling so hard her stomach hurt. It felt wonderful to let go after the tension of the past few days. "I don't think I'm that desperate."
    "Oh, no?" Kasey said, sobering a little. "Come on, Bryony, when's the last time you even went out on a date?"
    "It hasn't been that long," she said. "I don't know, a few months?"
    "Try last year. With Stephen Prescott."
    "That's right, Janie's cousin. And it turned out that jerk was already engaged to a woman in San Rafael, so it's a good thing we didn't go out again. Give me a break, Kasey. I've been busy