Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
He nodded, taking the situation as seriously as it deserved. “When was the last time you saw it?”
That was a good place to start.
“I have no idea.” Sadly, my answer wasn’t terribly helpful.
“Hmm. Okay.” Alick cocked his head and frowned. “When was the first time lately that someone asked you for money and you had no idea how to pay them?”
Lately.
Yes, just the most recent time…the others wouldn’t help.
“When I was going to pay my fine at the library on Tuesday.” That had Alick nearly giggling. “Stefan is in his Mr. Librarian mode and he’s taking those very seriously lately.”
“Okay, that gives us a good place to start. What did you do before you went to the library?” Alick was being logical again, but this was where my problem started.
“I went to Walmart and the coffee shop and the bakery and the grocery store and the post office.” It’d been a very full day. “But I had a full punch card at the coffee shop and that was in my pocket, so I don’t think I used money there. Oh, and the bakery gave me my goodies for free if I promised to go away quickly.”
Glitter was not contagious no matter what they thought.
“I might’ve used money at Walmart? They don’t usually give me stuff to go away.” Sometimes they did, though.
The manager who worked up front most of the time said I was an adorable nuisance and always let me use whatever coupons I brought in no matter what.
“Um, I can’t think of anywhere else I went.” The post office had been a bust because they’d been out of the pretty stamps, so I hadn’t bought anything there.
“No one else has as much fun as you do when you run errands.” Alick’s smile made mine even wider. “I think you probably left it—”
“On top of his car after he came here for lunch the other day.” The mechanic who could never seem to decide if he was going to frown or smile finished Alick’s sentence as he held out my beautiful sparkly wallet. “I left you a voicemail to ask if you wanted me to return it but you never returned my call.”
Oh.
Maybe he hadn’t been stalking me?
Looking down at my lap, I started patting my pockets. “I don’t know where my phone is.”
When had that disappeared?
“What do you say to Monroe?” Alick nudged my foot with his and raised one eyebrow.
Yes, that was his name…he was always with the growly mage who didn’t like anyone.
“Do you have my phone too?” The way Alick was groaning said I’d gotten that one wrong. “Please?”
Monroe couldn’t seem to decide what expression to have on his face and settled on a smile. “No, but if you ask nicely, I know a mage who’s very good at finding lost things.”
That would be helpful.
Sitting up straighter, I gave him my best smile that always earned me cookies and sparkly things. “Please help me find my phone…”
Hmm.
Looking over at Alick, I frowned and he was wonderfully special and knew just what to say. “I’d go with Sir or Daddy Monroe. He was at the playdate party.”
He was?
“Please help me find my phone, Daddy Monroe.” Yes, he smiled bigger.
He liked that…and it looked like he wanted to pat my head.
It was really too bad he was dating the grumpy mage because just looking at him when he smiled made me want to climb up in his lap and demand attention.
“And thank you for finding my wallet.” Now I wouldn’t have to promise to be good to Miss Nancy anymore or feed myself.
“You’re welcome, Lorne.” Daddy Monroe was still smiling as he handed over my wallet. He didn’t look frustrated yet at all, but I thought maybe that was because he was used to dealing with cranky people, not sparkly ones. “Should we go talk to Carrick about finding your phone?”
Mages were handy but they were kind of prickly.
“You’ll make sure nothing goes wrong?” When Daddy Monroe frowned and blinked like I wasn’t speaking English anymore, I tried again. “Mages don’t always appreciate sparkling personalities.”
They were kind of boring…and easily frustrated.
“Oh.” Blinking again, he straightened and nodded. “I will watch out for you very carefully, but Carrick is going to be nice to you. I promise.”
“Because he’s your mate and you know how to make sure he’s not naughty?” I just wanted to make sure he really had control of his special friend because I didn’t need any more watches.
They were everywhere.
Stupid mages shouldn’t be allowed to put compulsions on people just because they told the truth.
The blinking was back.
“I think you broke him.” Alick leaned across the table and dropped his voice. “Maybe you shouldn’t have outed him in the diner?”
“I didn’t know it was a secret. I got told they were special friends a dozen times last week. Everyone knows.”