Read Online Waterborn (The Emerald Series Book 1) by Kimberly James - Free Book Online Page A

and scratched the top of Felix’s head, holding my breath the whole time. “You really should do something about that, Maggie. That can’t be good for business.”
    “What’s not good for business is one of my suppliers disappearing on me for months, leaving me short on materials.”
    I placed a small cloth bag on the counter and smiled at her. “I can fix that.” I hadn’t realized how good it would feel saying those words. Finally, for the first time since I got back, someone wouldn’t end up disappointed.
    She narrowed her eyes and scooted the bag over, loosening the drawstring. It wasn’t until she peeked inside that she smiled. One of those “cat that swallowed the canary” smiles, but instead of feathers floating out of her mouth, she had dollar signs.
    “Are you ever going to tell me where you find these gems?”
    “Nope. Then you would send Jeb, or hell, maybe even my mom to harvest them. Someone who would work for cheap.”
    Not that I was getting rich off our arrangement. I received a percentage of her sales on the jewelry she made with the pearls I brought her. And they were her best sellers. I had even made a few pieces myself. Tahiti wasn’t the only place that produced beautiful pearls.
    “Well, as usual, these are gorgeous.” She pulled the string tight and made for the back of the store.
    I followed as far as the curtain of metal beads that separated the storefront from her work area. They sounded like rain falling when she passed through and shimmered when they moved, as though she was walking through some kind of time portal.
    “Maggie…” I paused, caught under the weight of the curtain and my own doubt. “Can I talk to you about something?”
    “Sure, Noah.” Her eyes lit up, suddenly curious as she waved me forward.
    I’d come at a slow time of day on purpose, so we could hopefully talk uninterrupted. If Jamie were here, I’d be having this conversation with him. But since he wasn’t, I was left with two options—my mom or Maggie. Considering this particular problem involved a little magic, I decided Maggie was my best bet to get answers.
    I sat on one of the stools next to a worktable and scooted a pot of moonflowers out of the way. She’d been working on some designs. Strings of leather of different lengths, gold coins, and saltwater pearls were scattered across the table.
    “I met a girl,” I said, which wasn’t totally accurate. We hadn’t officially met. Hell, I didn’t even know her name, but there was something about having someone inside your head that made you feel like you knew them, even if it was just through echoes of sound. I shifted on the stool, already uncomfortable with this conversation.
    “Is this going to be about sex?” Maggie slid onto the stool across from me and leaned forward on her elbows. The eager expression on her face scared me.
    “No.” Where the hell had that come from?
    “Cause if it is—"
    “Maggie, it’s not about sex.” I ran my hands down my face. This was a mistake. Maggie had this uncanny ability to read people, interpret their aura and shit, and the way she was looking at me suggested I must be putting off some really interesting vibes. Or colors. Or what the hell ever.
    “Have you ever had sex, Noah?” She cocked her head to the side.
    Yep, this had been a mistake. I didn’t even answer her. What was I supposed to say? I wouldn't lie, but I wouldn't to tell her the truth either. It wasn’t any of her business anyway. I sat there staring at her, waiting for her to pass judgment, as if being a virgin was a crime these days and I was on trial.
    “You haven’t,” she said and her eyes got all big and round and mushy. “That’s so sweet.”
    “Maggie, if you don’t shut up, I’m walking out of here and never coming back.” I had totally lost control of this conversation. And I really didn’t want to think about sex and the silver-eyed girl in the same context, as if the two thoughts went together. Because they