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“May I help you?” a young man asked.

  “I’m here for an interview with,” I pulled out my phone. Had I really forgotten the name? I found the email. “With Monica Vines.”

  The man smiled. “Take the elevator up to the third floor.”

  “Thanks.”

  I used the elevator ride to smooth out my skirt and hair, and to read over the details of the job.

  When the doors opened, a woman was standing by the doors smiling. “You must be Daisy.”

  “Yes.” It took me a moment to compose myself. I hadn’t expected to be greeted so quickly.

  “I’m so glad you were able to make it.” She held out her hand.

  I tentatively stepped out of the elevator. “Are you Monica Vines?”

  “Yes, that’s me.”

  I accepted her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  “You have impeccable timing. That’s something I love in an employee.” She hurried off down the hall, and I followed behind.

  I glanced at my watch. I was two minutes early. “I try to be punctual.”

  “You couldn’t have picked a better day to come in.”

  I hadn’t been the one to pick it. They’d assigned the interview date, but I kept that detail to myself. “Great.”

  She gestured for me to walk into her office. I did so and took a seat.

  She sat down behind the desk. “How do you feel about travel, Daisy?”

  Talk about getting right to the point. I’d been expecting some getting to know you questions first. “I don’t mind it.”

  “Great. Then you’re hired.”

  “Excuse me?” I narrowed my eyes. Was this some sort of joke?

  “Considering you come so highly recommended by the editor you’ll be working with, you shouldn’t be surprised.”

  “Aren’t you the editor I’d be working for?”

  “Not directly. We hired someone new for our youth travels section.”

  “Youth travels section?” As far as I knew the paper had nothing of the sort.

  “Of course. Everyone has one, and I was happy to add one to our Sunday edition.”

  Happy to? Wait. It couldn’t be. “Who did you say the editor I’d be working with was?”

  “Violet of course. Isn’t she just fabulous?”

  There was a knock at the door.

  “Oh, come in! We were just talking about you.”

  I turned, knowing full well who would be standing there.

  “Hi, Daisy. I’m so excited we’re going to be working together.”

  “Me too, but I must admit I’m a little bit surprised. I had no idea you were a newspaper editor.” I didn’t go light on the sarcasm.

  “I’m one of the highest rated youth travel correspondents.”

  “I’m sure that’s a very competitive category.” I didn’t know what to think. Had she gone through the charades and made up a fake newspaper section just to mess with me? Why did Violet care at all about what I did?

  “She said she’s fine with the travel, so we’ll just fill out the paperwork.”

  “Terrific. I’m sure this is the beginning of a wonderful partnership.”

  Monica beamed. “Could I see your Social Security card and license to make copies?”

  “Uh, sure.” I handed them over. I needed time alone to speak with Violet anyway.

  As soon as she left I turned to Violet. “What is this? What’s the game here?”

  She smiled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You said getting a job was important. You have a job.”

  “A real job. Not one that involves writing for a fake column.”

  “It’s not fake, and let’s say it like it is, Daisy. You didn’t come to New Orleans for this job. You came for a man. Now you have the cover to continue searching for him.”

  “Cover? How did you know I viewed things that way?”

  “I didn’t know, but now I do.” She smiled that all white teeth breathtaking smile of hers. “How long are you supposed to be checked into the hotel?”

  “Through tomorrow. My flights is in the morning.”

  “There’s no way we’ll be done by then. Call your parents and tell them the internship starts immediately.”

  “I told you I have to check out tomorrow, and I don’t have an apartment lined up or anything.”

  “You’re staying with us.”

  I shook my head. “Uh, no I’m not.”

  “We’ve got room.”

  I glanced over my shoulder to make sure no one was listening. “There is no way I’m staying at that abandoned amusement park.”

  “We can talk about it tonight.”

  “No we can’t. I have plans.”

  “Change them. We’ve got to start the search.”

  “I thought you were going to do that alone.”

  “Why would you want to miss the fun?” She headed toward the door. “We’ll be by to get you at eight.”

  Monica reappeared with more paperwork before I could say anything else. I groaned to myself. Now what?

  Chapter Ten

  Owen

  “I love this place!” Hailey yelled far too loudly as we sat at a center table in the busy diner at lunchtime the next day.

  Several customers turned to look at us, and I just smiled.

  “I mean it’s so authentic old west. I didn’t know they had places like this anymore.”

  “They do. The whole town is like this.”

  “It’s cool.” She took a bite of her burger.

  “Can I get you anything else?” Marta, the bright eyed blonde waitress asked. She was one of the first people I’d met in town.

  “We’re great, thanks.” Hailey smiled.

  Marta smiled right back. “So nice to meet some of Owen’s family. I knew he couldn’t be a complete loner.”

  “Nope just a loser.” Hailey didn’t get the rise out of me she probably expected.

  “Forgive my sister. She’s still adjusting to the altitude.”

  Marta laughed. “I have a little brother you know. I get it.” She walked off.

  “Would you look at that!” Clyde called from the entryway. It hadn’t taken long for him to notice me. He sauntered over and held out his hand to Hailey. “I’m Owen’s friend, Clyde. Are you the sister I’ve heard so much about?”

  “Owen’s talked about me?” Hailey didn’t hide her surprise.

  “Actually I heard you were here. Word travels fast in this town.” Clyde nodded over his shoulder to the street.

  “I see.” She took a sip of her water, looking a little less excited about the authentic nature of Coleville.

  “Mind if I join you two?” Clyde pulled over a chair.

  “Sure,” I answered even though he’d already sat down.

  He hung his hat off his chair and turned to Hailey. “I didn’t catch your name.”

  “It’s Hailey.”

  “A beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”

  I laughed and tried to turn it into a cough. Clyde’s lines weren’t going to work on my little sister.

  “Thanks.”

  “Did you travel out here all alone?” He rested an elbow on the table so he could lean in closer to her.

  “Yeah. It wasn’t too bad.”

  “That’s crazy.” He watched her intently, hanging on to her every word.

  “Not really.”

  “Are you staying here long?”

  “Just a few days. I’ve missed my big brother.”

  Clyde turned to me. “I bet.”

  “So what do you do, Clyde?” Hailey asked.

  “Right now I’m helping out over at the Black Creek mine, but I’m interested in developing some businesses. I’m hoping to make your brother a partner.”

  “My brother? A partner in a business?” Her eyes widened. “You have to be kidding.”

  “Why not? He’s a real people person.”

  She burst out laughing. “Owen? A people person? He’s so anti-social it’s sickening.”

  “Sure he keep
s to himself, but everyone loves him. Besides, he’s got that business savviness.”

  “Are you really doing this, Owen?”

  I shook my head. “No. I’ve already got a job.”

  “You said you’d consider it.”

  “Hi Clyde.” Marta walked over, thankfully interrupting the partnership discussion.

  “Hi, Marta.” He smiled at her. “Could I get the usual?”

  “Absolutely. Want a Coke with that?”

  “I’ll just have water today.”

  “Great. I’ll get that right away.” She smiled at him again before walking away.

  “So what do you do, Hailey?” Clyde turned his full attention to her.

  “Uh, I’m in college and work part time.”

  “Part time doing what?”

  “I’m a consultant?” she asked more as a question. She was going to have to get better at making up cover stories.

  “Oh.” If he was suspicious of her answer he didn’t show it. “Where are you in school?”

  “Tulane.” She sipped her water again.

  “Cool.”

  I zoned out on their conversation. Hailey could handle Clyde’s harmless banter for a while.

  Before I knew it the check came.

  “I can get it.” Clyde grabbed the bill.

  “That’s okay.” I pulled it away. I didn’t want Clyde thinking he was doing Hailey any favors.

  “Okay. Thanks, man.” He nodded at me before pivoting toward Hailey again. “Are you going to be here a while, or heading back to see anyone?”

  “Are you asking me if I’m single?” Hailey could be blunt.

  “Yes, yes I am.”

  “I’m single, but it’s by choice.” She stood up. “I’m going to walk around for a bit. See you in a few.”

  Clyde watched as she disappeared through the door. “You’ve got a beautiful sister.”

  “Emphasis on the word sister.”

  “Message received loud and clear.” He picked up his hat and headed for the door.

  ***

  “Leaving already?” I watched as Hailey tossed her mess of belongings into her duffel.

  “Not that I wouldn’t love to stay in this thrilling town with you forever, but I promised Cade I’d stop by to see him.”

  I groaned. “Cade? Really? Do you have to get mixed up with that guy?”

  “That guy is a king. Aren’t you the one who usually reminds me to be polite to royalty?”

  “That’s when we’re talking about Levi. The real king.” Hailey should have known better than to get me started on Cade. He’d only gotten the title because the queen had made an unfortunate deal.

  She shook her head. “Whatever. If you decide to head back to New Orleans in the next few weeks meet me at Cade’s. I’d love the company for the drive back.”

  “I’m not going back that soon.”

  “Fine.” She walked outside to her Jeep. “Tell Clyde I said goodbye.”

  I laughed. “The poor kid’s going to be depressed.”

  “He’ll get over it. Maybe he’ll finally give that waitress a chance. They’d make a good couple.”

  “That’s very un-Hailey of you.”

  “What? I like seeing people happy.”

  “You’re not into matchmaking.”

  “And this isn’t matchmaking, I’m just wishing them well.”

  “You still never told me the real reason you’re here.”

  “Sure I did. I was checking on you and taking a break.”

  “I’m going to find out eventually.” There was no way Hailey came just to check on me. There was always another reason.

  “If you want to get all conspiracy theorist on me then do it. It’s not my problem.”

  I went with one last hunch. “You haven’t talked about Allie much.”

  She looked away. “I’ve got to go.”

  “In other words you guys are in a fight.”

  “I’m leaving. I don’t have time to talk about it.”

  “If you had time to come all the way out here, you have time to talk.”

  “Not necessarily.”

  “Hailey. Out with it.”

  “We got in a ridiculously stupid fight over nothing, and now everything’s awkward.”

  “Awkward how? Like you haven’t apologized?”

  “Me apologize?” She put a hand to her chest. “Why would you assume I’m the one to blame?”

  “She’s the queen.”

  “So?” Her eyes narrowed. She was getting ready to let me have it. “This is about friend Allie, not queen Allie.”

  “They’re the same thing.” I’d dealt with the same situation myself. Being best friends with your boss wasn’t always easy to handle.

  “I’m sick of it.”

  “Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apologize.”

  “There’s nothing to apologize for. It’s not like that.”

  “No?” I rested my hand on the hood of her Jeep. Surprisingly she didn’t yell at me for it. She was annoying protective of her car. “Then what kind of fight was it?”

  “No making fun of me.”

  “Now you have to tell me.” I smiled. It took a lot to get Hailey embarrassed.

  “She wants me to be a godmother.”

  “But you’re not even religious…”

  “That’s what I said, but she explained she meant more in the ‘be the person the kid can go to for help and stuff.’”

  “Ok, sounds reasonable. What was the fight?”

  “I said no.”

  “Why?”

  “Why? Because I’m not the kind of person kids should come to for anything. I can barely figure out my own life, and there are so many better people for that job.”

  “But she picked you.”

  “You’re no help. You moan and groan about your life, but then you think everyone else’s life is so simple.”

  “You’re scared. You were too scared to say yes and so instead you insulted her by making it seem like you didn’t want to be involved with her family.”

  “That’s so stupid!”

  “Is it?” I treaded lightly, but I knew at the bottom of all of this was Hailey’s insecurities. She had no doubts about her physical strength, but that’s where her confidence ended. She didn’t understand that she was strong emotionally too.

  “Why do you always do this?”

  “Do what? Make you face reality?”

  I expected her to continue to rant, but instead she hugged me. “When did life get so complicated?”

  “It’s always been complicated, but you’ve been sheltered.”

  “And what about you?”

  “Less sheltered, but living in a bubble. Everything changed when Levi became king and then Jared left.” It also changed when I met Daisy. I just hadn’t realized it at the time.

  “You need to come home eventually.” She stepped back to give me space, but her eyes stared into mine. She was turning the tables and getting ready to lecture me. “Running away can’t solve everything.”

  “I didn’t run away. I’m taking a break.”

  “Fine, then I’ll come back and get you in August. I need to be back before school starts.”

  “I might need a longer break than that.” I wasn’t sure when I’d be ready.

  “A longer break than that isn’t just a break.” She gave me a knowing look.

  “Drive safe.”

  “I will. Uh, live safe.”

  “I will.”

  She got into the driver’s seat, and I closed the door.

  She rolled down her windows. “Find yourself a girl, Owen.”

  “Say hi to Cade.”

  She laughed before pulling out of the driveway.

  I was alone again, and I didn’t know how I felt about it.

  Chapter Eleven

  Daisy

  I’d just stepped out of the shower when I heard a knock on the door. The Allures were early, and I was far from ready for them.

  “Coming!” I called as I ha
stily threw on clothes. Part of me had hoped they wouldn’t stop by, but I knew that hope was unrealistic.

  I wrenched open the door without taking the time to brush out my hair. I had a problem with leaving people waiting.

  “I like the natural look.” Violet stepped right into the room. “It suits you.”

  “You’re early.” I grabbed my brush and did my best to get rid of the tangles.

  “Time isn’t really our thing.” Roland sprawled out on my bed.

  “Glad you’re making yourself comfortable.” If they planned to spend time with me, they were going to have to get used to my sarcasm.

  “Thanks. I’m very comfortable.”

  “I wasn’t serious.”

  “Yes you were.” He smirked. “Either way, we have to find something fun to do tonight.”

  I resisted the urge to snap at him for laying on my bed. It wasn’t worth the argument. “You mean you don’t want to spend it enjoying your fabulous ghost amusement park pad?”

  “Was that sarcasm I heard?” Hugh laughed. “I’m enjoying your personality more and more.”

  “I already told Violet I have plans for tonight. I’m not quite sure why she still brought you here.”

  “What kind of plans?” Roland leaned up on one elbow.

  “I’m supposed to meet someone.”

  “Who are you supposed to meet?” Roland sat up completely. “You don’t know anyone in New Orleans.”

  “The bigger question is why you’re so concerned, Roland?” Hugh crossed his arms. “Does it matter if Daisy knows someone in this city?”

  “It means she might be holding back on us. Maybe she knows more about this Seduction’s Kiss business than she’s letting on.” Roland sounded uncharacteristically bitter and skeptical. Hugh was the one who usually gave me a hard time. It was funny how I was already getting used to the Allures only a little over twenty-four hours after meeting them.

  “This has nothing to do with that. Trust me.” I sighed. I was hoping to avoid having to tell them about Andrew. Now that I’d found paranormal creatures again, it seemed even more pathetic.

  “Then who is she?” Roland asked.

  “She?” Violet laughed. “What makes you think it’s a girl?”

  “If she’s so crazy about the Pteron, she shouldn’t be meeting boys.” Roland watched me careful. “Right?”

  Violet rolled her eyes. “Who is it?”