Read Online Phoenix in My Fortune (A Monster Haven Story Book 6) by R.L. Naquin - Free Book Online
Authors: R.L. Naquin
Ads: Link
like Riley, and soul chasers, like Darius and Kam, used the powerful stones to collect souls that needed to be transported to the release stations. My two chips weren’t big enough to house a soul, but they did offer a little protection from errant spirits and demon possession—or so I was told. They were awfully small chips.
Besides. I knew a few demons. I wasn’t convinced possession was actually a thing.
Moira oohed and aahed over my ring, turning my hand this way and that to catch the light. “Gorgeous! So? How did he do it?”
I smiled. Riley had left me a note to meet him at Molly’s mushroom house. I’d found him hovering above the tiny dwelling, grinning from ear to ear, riding a sphinx and holding his hand out to me like Aladdin on his magic carpet. But I couldn’t share that story with her. No one outside our Hidden family could know how he’d really done it.
“It was really sweet. He took me out to dinner and waited until dessert.” I laughed. “A guy with a violin showed up at our table, and I didn’t hear what Riley said the first time because the violin was so loud. I had to ask him to repeat himself.”
Moira chuckled. “I bet that ruined the moment.”
“He recovered. Got down on one knee for the repeat and made a big speech. It was beautiful. The whole restaurant applauded.”
“I wish I could have been there to see it.” She beamed. “I really am so happy for you, Zoey. Have you set a date yet?”
She released my hand, and we settled into our chairs across the table from each other.
I took a sip of champagne and sighed. “Nothing official yet. We’ve got a lot going on right now, so we’re thinking sometime late next year.”
Her forehead creased. “It’s a shame it won’t be sooner.”
I didn’t understand. “I’m in no hurry. We practically live together anyway. We’ll get to it eventually.”
“No, that’s not it.” She twirled her champagne flute between her fingers, watching the bubbles swirl in the glass. “I’m selling the shop and retiring to Florida with my sister.”
My heart sank. No Moira? No Splendid Creations? Hadn’t my world already been altered enough? I realized I was being selfish. I hadn’t even seen her in months. It wasn’t as if she had to plan her life around my convenience. But really, she was my go-to baker. I’d always expected she would be the one to do my wedding cake someday.
I forced myself to give her a bright smile. “Florida. Wow.” I took a second to gather myself together. Moira had worked hard. She deserved this. I raised my glass to her. “Congratulations. I’ll miss you—and your delicious cakes—but I’m really happy for you.”
She grinned and raised her glass in return. “Thank you. And congratulations on your engagement. I know you’re going to be very happy.”
We each took a sip, then set down our glasses.
“Let’s get to work,” she said. “If this is going to be our last collaboration, I want to make it spectacular.”
I reached into my magic purse without looking and pulled out the skimpy notes on Fiona’s wedding. Sara had given me very little to go on. Apparently, Fiona liked bold and whimsical designs, wanted a variety of cake and filling flavors but didn’t care which ones and still hadn’t chosen her color scheme.
“I’m afraid we’ll have to do the majority of the work on this one.” I flipped the page on my notes, hoping something new had appeared on the back. It hadn’t. “We’ll also be planning this without knowing the final colors. Sara couldn’t get a decision out of the bride, so I’m going to call her myself.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time the colors changed on me.” She jotted something down on her own notepad. “Just make sure I have them before I make the fondant for it. I’ve had people change their minds when the cake is half finished.”
“I’ll call her tonight.”
Moira and I talked about the design of the cake, and since it had been left up to me, I
Besides. I knew a few demons. I wasn’t convinced possession was actually a thing.
Moira oohed and aahed over my ring, turning my hand this way and that to catch the light. “Gorgeous! So? How did he do it?”
I smiled. Riley had left me a note to meet him at Molly’s mushroom house. I’d found him hovering above the tiny dwelling, grinning from ear to ear, riding a sphinx and holding his hand out to me like Aladdin on his magic carpet. But I couldn’t share that story with her. No one outside our Hidden family could know how he’d really done it.
“It was really sweet. He took me out to dinner and waited until dessert.” I laughed. “A guy with a violin showed up at our table, and I didn’t hear what Riley said the first time because the violin was so loud. I had to ask him to repeat himself.”
Moira chuckled. “I bet that ruined the moment.”
“He recovered. Got down on one knee for the repeat and made a big speech. It was beautiful. The whole restaurant applauded.”
“I wish I could have been there to see it.” She beamed. “I really am so happy for you, Zoey. Have you set a date yet?”
She released my hand, and we settled into our chairs across the table from each other.
I took a sip of champagne and sighed. “Nothing official yet. We’ve got a lot going on right now, so we’re thinking sometime late next year.”
Her forehead creased. “It’s a shame it won’t be sooner.”
I didn’t understand. “I’m in no hurry. We practically live together anyway. We’ll get to it eventually.”
“No, that’s not it.” She twirled her champagne flute between her fingers, watching the bubbles swirl in the glass. “I’m selling the shop and retiring to Florida with my sister.”
My heart sank. No Moira? No Splendid Creations? Hadn’t my world already been altered enough? I realized I was being selfish. I hadn’t even seen her in months. It wasn’t as if she had to plan her life around my convenience. But really, she was my go-to baker. I’d always expected she would be the one to do my wedding cake someday.
I forced myself to give her a bright smile. “Florida. Wow.” I took a second to gather myself together. Moira had worked hard. She deserved this. I raised my glass to her. “Congratulations. I’ll miss you—and your delicious cakes—but I’m really happy for you.”
She grinned and raised her glass in return. “Thank you. And congratulations on your engagement. I know you’re going to be very happy.”
We each took a sip, then set down our glasses.
“Let’s get to work,” she said. “If this is going to be our last collaboration, I want to make it spectacular.”
I reached into my magic purse without looking and pulled out the skimpy notes on Fiona’s wedding. Sara had given me very little to go on. Apparently, Fiona liked bold and whimsical designs, wanted a variety of cake and filling flavors but didn’t care which ones and still hadn’t chosen her color scheme.
“I’m afraid we’ll have to do the majority of the work on this one.” I flipped the page on my notes, hoping something new had appeared on the back. It hadn’t. “We’ll also be planning this without knowing the final colors. Sara couldn’t get a decision out of the bride, so I’m going to call her myself.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time the colors changed on me.” She jotted something down on her own notepad. “Just make sure I have them before I make the fondant for it. I’ve had people change their minds when the cake is half finished.”
“I’ll call her tonight.”
Moira and I talked about the design of the cake, and since it had been left up to me, I
Similar Books
