Witchful Thinking Part 17

aDid you like anything about him?a she continued.

I was quiet as I considered her question. Then I faced her squarely. aNo, not really. And I donat think I could ever date anyone who says alikea so much.a aWell, you need to get used to the fact that you should start dating again,a she said with a grumpy frown.

aLetas not get into this again aa aJolie, you need to get out. Youare almost thirty aa aTwo years from it, thank you very much.a aWhatever a youare going to end up old and alone. Youare way too pretty, and you have such a great personality, you canat end up like that. Donat let one bad phone call ruin it.a aItas not about one bad phone call. Iave had a string of bad dates, Chris. At least the last three dates Iave been on were complete and total catastrophes.a I didnat know what else to saya"the sad truth was that Iad rather spend time with my cat or Christa than face another loser over dinner or drinks while we both searched for something we had in common that might save us from staring at each other in silence.

Feeling suddenly depressed, I gazed out at the streetlights beyond the windows of my store and watched how they highlighted the empty street. It was a Thursday night in Los Angeles in the middle of December, which was why the sun was long gone and it was only seven p.m. Christa and I should have closed up over an hour ago but our last client had taken longer than Iad antic.i.p.ated. Taken longer as in shead suddenly freaked out when I told her I could see her aura and it looked a little yellowish, which meant she might be sick and should visit her doctor to get a physical to make sure everything was okay.

Then shead proceeded to unload on mea"crying as she detailed her entire lifeas history including her recent divorce and how shead decided to shack up with the first guy who showed any interest in her and who, incidentally, had given her chlamydiaa"something she was now on antibiotics for and something that was also the reason for her yellowish aura, which should have been pink or violet.

aAre you even listening to me?a Christa asked.

Shaking my head, I entered the reading room and started sweeping.

I heard the door open.

aWell, h.e.l.lo to you,a Christa said in a high-pitched, sickening-sweet, and non-Christa voice.

aGood evening.a His voice was deep, hypnotically so, and his accent thickly English.

aUm, weare closed,a Christa started but immediately cleared her throat. aBut Iall make an exception this one time.a I just shook my head as the man chuckled.

aI do appreciate it,a he said.

aWhat can I do for you?a Christa purred, her tone more befitting the question: Which do you prefer, crotchless panties or pasties?

aI seem to have come across some trouble with my car,a the man said. aI have a flat tire and was wondering if perhaps I could use your telephone?a aUm, you donat have a cell phone?a Christa asked in shock.

The man chuckled. aI am on vacation in America and failed to hire a mobile phone, most unfortunately.a aJules?a Christa called. aIs it okay if an incredibly handsome man uses our telephone?a Figuring I should probably make an appearance just to ensure this guy wasnat a total weirdo before he took Christa off to his love shack for the night, I headed out of the reading room.

When I glanced at him, it wasnat one of those quick appraisals you usually do when you meet people and look immediately at their faces. Instead I seemed to fixate on his s.h.i.+ny black shoes, then moved my gaze up his tall and muscular body, ultimately settling my eyes on his face, which was by far the most handsome face Iad ever seen. It was angular with a well-defined nose and strong cheekbones. He looked like he should have graced the cover of some high-fas.h.i.+on menas magazine.

I didnat say anything for a long time. I actually donat even know for how long. I just stood there like a total imbecile and stared up at the man like Iad never seen one before.

aUm, Jolie?a Christa prodded as if to say, Wake up, girl, youare totally embarra.s.sing yourself.

I shook my head, hoping to collect my wits. aIam a Iam sorry. What a What did you need again?a The man chuckled, and I wasnat sure if I was imagining it, but it seemed like head just been looking me up and down a appreciatively. Yes, I had to be imagining it. I mean, Christa was still in the room and any man would prefer her to me.

aI have a flat tire and my car is parked just outside your store, miss,a he said with a smile that about melted my insides. aI wonder if I might trouble you to use your telephone?a aOh,a I nodded. aYeah, sure, of course you can.a I needed to snap out of it. I mean, yes he was the best-looking guy Iad ever seen in my life, but was I that blindsided by looks? Was I that completely and totally shallow? Usually I was the rational Jolie who said looks werenat what mattered. It was the person inside who did. Jeez, maybe Iad been living in LA for too long.

aHere,a Christa said with a smile as she lifted the cordless phone from the receiver and leaned over the counter, offering him a full view of her cleavage as she handed the phone to him.

He smiled and nodded as if to say thank you as he accepted the phone. Strangely enough, he didnat even seem to notice her b.o.o.bs, which were about to spill out of her s.h.i.+rt. Hmm, he was probably gay. All the best-looking ones inevitably were.

He pulled out his leather wallet and rifled through a wad of bills and credit cards, pulling out what looked like a rental car agencyas card. The guy had to be loaded. If the wad of hundreds wasnat sign enough, his super-expensive slacks and sweater were a good indicator.

aI will be just over here so as not to disturb you both,a he said and started dialing as he neared the far corner of the store. Once the person on the other line picked up, he started explaining his predicament.

aAre you all done?a I asked Christa, wantinga"no, needinga"to focus on anything but our incredibly handsome and, dare I say it, s.e.xy visitor.

Christa nodded then glanced over at him as if to make sure he wasnat looking before she regarded me again and mouthed, Hot d.a.m.n!

I just shook my head and offered her a raised-brow expression. She glanced over at him once more, as if she couldnat help it, and then followed me as I carried the trash to the back door.

aOh my gosh, is he the most gorgeous thing youave ever seen?a she demanded once we were out of earshot. aI nearly had an o.r.g.a.s.m when he walked in the store.a aChris, do you have to be so crude?a I asked and frowned at her.

aYeah, in this instance I do.a Then she shook her head as if she was still in disbelief.

aWell, it looks like tonight is your lucky night,a I offered with a smile.

aDo I look okay?a she asked and smoothed her hands down her tight, white halter top and red miniskirt. aI knew I should have worn my pink top today. It looks way better with my hair and eyes.a I just shook my head. aChris, you look great. Youare gorgeous and Iam sure heas already thinking about where heas going to take you to dinner.a Well, it was a white liea"I was convinced he was more interested in what shead be like between the sheets.

aYou think?a she beamed.

aIam sure,a I said and opened the back door, heading for the trash cans in the alleyway. Christa stayed inside, which was just as well. Iam sure she wanted a little alone time with the handsome man anyway. I pulled open the binas cover and threw the trash into it. Then I started for my store, wondering what in the h.e.l.l I was going to eat for dinner tonight. I was out of Healthy Choice frozen dinners but I really didnat feel like going to the grocery store. Of course, the cat also needed more Fancy Feast a When I walked back inside, the handsome man was sitting on the couch in the front entry and Christa was nowhere to be seen.

My stomach dropped.

aUm, where did my friend go?a I asked, trying to sound like I wasnat completely freaking out.

The man shrugged. aShe said she had to leave to get ready for a aa He smirked as if he was about to say something funny. aHot date I believe she termed it.a I felt myself swallow down a lump of dread as I fingered my cell phone, which, thank G.o.d, was in my pocket. What had this creep done with Christa? There was no way in h.e.l.l she would have left without taking him with her a as in home for the night.

I glanced at the counter, where Christa had left her bag, and noticed that it too was missing.

aOh, okay,a I said and tried to maintain the appearance of someone who wasnat seriously about to pee herself in fear. I grabbed the broom and headed for the front door. aIall just be out here sweeping the entry, but make yourself at home while you wait.a The man smiled at me warmly. aI will, thank you.a I nodded and tried to keep myself from running outside. Instead I walked to the front door, and when I made it through I almost wanted to sigh with relief. I started sweeping, heading farther and farther down the sidewalk and farther from the strangeras line of sight. Once I was beyond my storefront and safe from prying eyes, I immediately speed-dialed Christa.

Surprisingly, she picked up on the first ring.

aWhere the h.e.l.l are you?a I whispered.

aIam on my way home. Sorry I didnat say goodbye but I totally forgot that I have a date with Ryan tonight.a I felt my heart slow down. Christa was okay and had just been a s.p.a.ce cadet, as usual. aWhat about the guy here? I thought you were all hot for him?a She was silent for a few seconds. aWell, really, what am I going to do? Ryan is already waiting for me.a aIam glad to know youare okay, but you could have waited for me instead of leaving me alone with this guy,a I grumbled.

aOh, sorry, Jules, I didnat even think of that. Do you want me to come back until he leaves?a I sighed, thinking I probably sounded like a baby. aNo, itas fine. Have fun with Ryan.a aOkay, thanks, Jules,a she said and hung up.

So it looked like it was just me, the broom, and the hottest man Iad ever seen in my life. Great, just great. Well, hopefully the rental agency people would arrive soon so Mr. Gorgeous Man could get on with doing whatever it was he was planning on doing.

I strolled back into the store and offered him a quick smile.

aRoadside a.s.sistance phoned and said they would be arriving in ten minutes. Thank you again for your hospitality.a I just nodded and glanced at the clock, noticing it was already eight p.m. When I looked away from the clock, I felt the manas eyes on me and I made the mistake of looking at him. He was wearing the strangest expressiona"something like amus.e.m.e.nt and maybe admiration. I didnat know why but I had the distinct feeling that he wanted to touch me. He looked like he was doing his d.a.m.ndest to stay seated.

aWhat is your name?a he asked.

aUm, Jolie, Jolie Wilkins.a He nodded with another smile that revealed perfectly straight, white teeth. aThat is a very lovely name.a Realizing I was still holding on to the broom like I thought I was a witch who was about to take off on it, I started for the hall closet and stowed it away. When I turned around, the man was staring at me again. He made me uncomfortablea"made me feel like he could almost see right through me. I moved behind the counter and took a seat on the stool, facing him.

aWhat is it you do in this store?a he asked.

I felt myself swallow down my embarra.s.sment over the fact that I was going to admit I was a psychic to someone who probably didnat believe in that sort of thing.

aI, um, I read fortunes.a He nodded as if he wasnat surprised, his gaze straying to the street as a car drove by. He seemed to home in on the store windows as a smile seized his lips. aI suppose I could have deduced that from your front windows.a I glanced at them and laughed. It said FORTUNE TELLER in bold white lettering right across the top of the door and the huge window beside it.

aYou said you were on vacation in the States?a I asked, feeling the need to partic.i.p.ate, considering he was trying to make conversation.

He paused for a second or two as if weighing his response. aYes, on vacation. I am originally from Britain, as a matter of fact.a Just as I was about to ask him what part of Britain, the roadside a.s.sistance truck pulled up in front of my store, putting its blinkers on because, as usual, there wasnat anywhere to park along the curb.

aLooks like help just arrived,a I said and couldnat deny the feeling of sadness that welled up within me. Which really made no sense. It wasnat like I actually thought this stranger would have any interest in girl-next-door me.

The man glanced over at the window, and recognizing the truck, stood up. aThank you again,a he said.

I just nodded and watched him walk up to the counter and hand me the phone. He paused a moment or two after I took it from him and offered me the s.e.xiest smile Iad ever seen. His lips were so full, and they had a pinkish hue to them. I felt my stomach begin to fill with b.u.t.terflies and quickly turned around as I placed the phone in its cradle. When I turned around again, the man had already walked out of my door. The little bells hanging from it dinged as he exited.

And the most handsome man Iad ever seen walked out of my store and my life just like that.

I continued fussing around the store, telling myself Iad wait until he drove away to make sure he was okay. I wasnat really sure why I didnat just pack my things and head out nowa"it wasnat like the roadside a.s.sistance guy would leave him strandeda"but I stayed anyway. Which was pretty stupid considering I couldnat even see his car from my store window. He must have experienced his flat tire pretty far down the street.

After a few minutes of standing around my perfectly clean and tidy store, I sighed and grabbed my purse as I started for the door, figuring I was being silly and should just go home. I definitely didnat want this guy to think I was waiting for him. Talk about embarra.s.sing the c.r.a.p out of myself uselessly.

I opened the front door and locked it behind myself.

aExcuse me again?a I whirled around to find the handsome man seated in a black sports car. Head pulled up just alongside me. It was a car Iad never seen beforea"maybe a Ferrari or something of the sort.

aWow, that was fast!a I said, legitimately shocked.

He nodded but didnat remark on the speedy work. aI know this is quite forward of me, especially considering we are not a acquainted with each other, but I wonder if I may take you to dinner tomorrow evening?a aOh,a I started in surprise before a sinking feeling took hold of me. There was nothing about me that would hold this manas interest. It would end up being an embarra.s.sing, uneventful evening when we both realized he was completely out of my league and he really should have been with a much more beautiful and exciting woman.

aUm, I aa aAs I mentioned earlier, I am visiting and I do not know where to go or what to see.a He just seemed so nice, so lonely almost.

And I found myself saying something that completely floored me. aSure, Iad love to.a The man beamed as if Iad just given him exactly what head wanted for Christmas. aWonderful. May I pick you up here tomorrow evening at seven, perhaps?a I nodded again. aSure.a He smiled and his car started rolling forward but, seemingly remembering something, he hit the brakes.

aI apologize profusely,a he began, shaking his head in apparent disbelief as another s.e.xy and devilish grin took hold of his sumptuous lips. aWhere are my manners? I have not even introduced myself.a I hadnat realized he hadnat introduced himself either. How bizarre.

aI am Sinjin Sinclair. Very pleased to meet you.a I smiled again, thinking this was the most exciting night Iad had in a long, long time. And Christa was going to pee herself when she heard that Mr. Gorgeous Man had actually just asked me out on a date.

aIam very pleased to meet you too, Sinjin.a For my son, Finn.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

My extreme grat.i.tude goes to the following people: My husband for your love and support My mother for all your valuable input My editor, Shauna Summers, for helping me make this book so much stronger My agent, Kimberly Whalen, for all your help Klaasje Helgren and Mercedes Berg who both won my aBecome a character in my booka contest. I hope you enjoy your characters!

And to all my readers, thank you! I would not have come this far without your support!

Did the ending of Witchful Thinking.

leave you longing for more?

Canat wait another minute to find out.

what happens next?

You wonat want to miss Jolie Wilkinsa return in in which all of your questions.

will be answered a

On sale Summer 2012.

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When the phone rang at ten minutes to seven, I wasnat surprised. Nope, I figured that Sinjin Sinclair, the most handsome and charming man who had ever stepped into my life, had probably just come to his senses and realized he didnat want to take me out for dinner after all. Maybe head suffered from a slight brain freeze the night before when head been awaiting roadside a.s.sistance at my tarot-card reading shop, and that was why head asked me out.

So when he phoned to say he was lost, I was surpriseda"not so much that his navigational skills were lacking but that he actually wanted to go through with this. Okay, I know what youare thinkinga"that I must look like a troll, or something equally heinous a Well, Iam not a troll by any stretch of the imagination, but Iam also not the girl who stands out in a crowd. Iam more the girl next doora"well, at least, I live down the street from the girl next door.

Okay, Iam probably being a little too hard on myself because I have been told Iam attractive and I know Iam smart and all that stuff, but, still, Iam nowhere near Sinjins Sinclairas league.

But back to the phone call. After Sinjin said he would be at my door shortly, I hung up and then stood in the center of my living room for a few minutes like a s.p.a.ce cadet, gazing at the wall until Iam sure I looked like a complete and total moron.

But while it might have appeared that nothing of much concern was going on in that gray matter between my ears, appearances can be deceiving. Thoughts ramrodded my brain, slamming into one another as new ones were born a What was I doing? What was I thinking? What would I possibly have to talk about with a man who was as cultured and refined as Sinjin Sinclair? Moreover, how was I going to eat in front of him? What if I choked on an ice cube? Or I sneezed after taking a mouthful of salad and sprayed carrot chunks all over his expensive clothes?

Jolie Wilkins, calm down, I finally said to myself, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. You are going to go on this date because if you donat, youare never going to forgive yourself. And, furthermore, Christa will most definitely murder you.

I inhaled another deep breath and forced myself out of my self-inflicted brain coma, starting toward the mirror as I took stock of myself for the umpteenth time in the last hour. Christa, my best friend and self-acclaimed fas.h.i.+on advisor, had left twenty minutes ago after chastising me about my current getup. Yes, shead tried to force me into what amounted to shrink-wrapping, complete with stiletto heels that were so narrow, they could double as weapons. Then, after that attempt had failed, shead tried to get me to go with a flame-red corset dress that was so tight, I couldnat walk and breathing was out of the question. So yes, Iad defeated the raunchy clothing demon but I couldnat say I felt very good about my victory.

I sighed as I took in my shoulder-length blond hair and the fact that the curl Christa had wrestled into it only minutes before was now long gone. It could be described as alimpa at best. My makeup was nice thougha"Christa had managed to talk me into smoky eyes, which accented my baby blues and shead also covered the freckles that sprinkled the bridge of my nose while playing up my cheekbones with a s.h.i.+mmery apricot blush. Shead lined my decently plump lips in a light brown and filled them with bubble-gum-pink lipstick, finis.h.i.+ng them with a pink gloss called aBaby Doll.a There was a knock on my front door and I felt my heart lurch into my throat. I took another deep breath, glanced at my reflection in the mirror once more, trying not to focus on the fact that I was anything but s.e.xy in my black amorphous skirt which ended just below my knees, black tights, and two-inch heels. Even though my b.r.e.a.s.t.s are decently large, you couldnat really tell in my gray turtleneck and black peacoat.

Maybe I should have listened to Christa a Another quick knock on the door signaled the fact that I was dawdling. I pulled myself away from my reflection and, wrapping my hand around the doork.n.o.b, exhaled and opened it, pasting a smile on my face.

ah.e.l.lo,a I said, hoping my voice sounded level, even-keeled, because the sight of Sinjin standing there just about undid me. There was a tornado rampaging through me, tearing at my guts, and wreaking havoc with my nervous system.

If looks could kill, I wouldave been p.r.o.nounced dead before my head even hit the floor.

aGood evening,a the deity before me spoke in his refined, baritone English accent. His eyes traveled from my eyes to my bust to my legs and back up again as a serpentine smile spread across his sumptuous lips.

aUm,a I managed, meaning to add a ahow are you?a to the end of it, but somehow the words never emerged.