“I just told the truth. Come on, Erin, you know that sideways stripe made her look fat. I sure don’t wear them.”
Erin gasped. “We don’t use the ‘f’ word in here.”
“Get over it.” I frowned and picked up my cell phone. Ten more calls to make and I’d have the bachelorette party locked down. I’d thought of a theme, and every woman I’d called had gotten excited about it. Still had to arrange the munchies, but Greg Kaplan would come through on those. The EVs wanted my cooperation, so I was sure there’d be no problem there. Damian was going to provide some of his buzz-producing synthetics, so I’d have to go on the Internet for some drinking games. Did I still want Rafe to dance for the crowd of women? Now that he was my guy . . .
I flinched when the phone in my hand vibrated, then rang.
“Hello.”
“Glory, it’s Westwood. I want to meet tonight to work out the details on that video.”
“No can do.” I glanced around the shop. We had a lull going. I signaled to Erin and headed for the back room. I’d had a brainstorm about this video, and I was going through with my plan.
“I don’t think you have that option. Remember your pal’s wedding?”
“Sure I do. But I want a little down payment before I start any preproduction work on this video.” I shut the door and picked up the newspaper I’d looked at earlier.
“I don’t have any money yet, vampire.”
“I’m sure Simon will spot you some. Here are my terms.” I smiled and focused on the ad that had caught my eye. “I want a brand-new red convertible.” I rattled off the make and model. “Must have the extended warranty, and the title will be in my name, free and clear. It should be delivered to the alley behind my shop and my old Suburban towed away. Once that is done, I’ll be ready to play your video game. Got all that?”
“You’re out of your friggin’ mind.” Westwood actually growled.
“No, I’m being smart. Bet you didn’t give me credit for that, did you?” I slapped the phone shut and sat staring at the picture of my new car. Boy, did I look forward to this. Paid for by the EVs. How sweet. Much better than cash that could be stolen away with the click of Westwood’s computer mouse. For once, I actually think I had outsmarted the bad guys.
My phone rang. Westwood calling back? I glanced at the caller ID, my stomach twisting. Earth to Glory. Jerry. Time to decide just what kind of future I wanted.
“Not now, Jer.” I shut off the phone without answering.
“Was that Mr. Blade?” Emmie Lou Nutt shimmered in front of me.
“Yes. I didn’t feel like talking to him.” I sat on the stool and saw that Erin or someone had piled the three dresses Alesa had ruined on the table. Infuriating. So much lost revenue.
“You okay now? Never saw such a horrible fight. The way you and that demon were goin’ at it.” Harvey Nutt stood next to Emmie Lou. “I figured you were a goner fer sure.”
“Me too. I’m fine now.” I sighed. “Richard saved the day.”
“The preacher was awesome, but we helped.” Emmie smiled at Harvey.
“Sure did. When we seen your friend was fixin’ to throw that holy water, we shoved your shirt rack outta the way.” Harvey had his thumbs stuck in the straps of his overalls.
“Honey, not a speck of water got on your fine silk blouses. And that demon got enough holiness in her face to send her straight back to hell where she belonged.” Emmie grinned at Harvey. “It was flat amazin’.”
“I had no idea you helped.” I would have hugged them both, but I knew they were nothing but cool air and a vision. “Thanks so much.”
“Proved somethin’ to us, I tell ya.” Harvey put his arm around Emmie’s waist.
“What’s that?” I glanced down at the dresses and wondered if a good dry cleaner could salvage any of them.
“Look at us, Glory.” Emmie’s voice was suddenly quieter.
I looked. “You’re fading out. What’s up?”
“We finally got the message.” Harvey pulled Emmie tighter against him. “When I first laid eyes on this little gal all those years ago, right in this here building, I knew she was the one for me.”
“Oh, Harvey. I knew it too. I was just stubborn enough to make you court me proper for two years before I’d say yes.” Emmie’s eyes sparkled, and she sniffed. She wasn’t wearing the cowgirl costume she’d been wearing when Harvey had accidentally run over her in his pickup truck. Now she had on a beautiful wedding gown, a fifties-style satin that must have been what she’d worn on their wedding day. She looked about twenty, and her gray hair was a soft brown.
“And we were happy for many a year.” Harvey kissed her cheek. His overalls were gone and so were about thirty pounds. He had on a black suit and a white shirt with a black western tie. Wedding suit. “If I just coulda given you children ...”
“Hush now. I was happy. Didn’t need no kids. You were a handful, and that’s a fact.” Tears ran down her face. “I’ve always loved you, Harvey Nutt. Always will.”
Now I was crying. Because the more they talked, the more they faded out.
“We’re leavin’ ya, Glory. Finally goin’ upstairs now that we’ve figured things out.” Emmie took a blue bandanna from Harvey and dabbed at her wet cheeks. “Be happy, girl. I hope ya find a good man ya want to keep by yer side forever. But iffen ya don’t, well, be safe and take care of yourself.”
“And stay away from them demons!” Harvey shouted. But it was hard to hear him. Because he and Emmie Lou were winking out.
I blinked and rubbed my eyes, then realized I was truly alone in the back room. I looked down and saw a blue and white bandanna on the floor. When I picked it up, it was still damp from Emmie Lou’s tears.
That did it. I lay my head on the table and sobbed like my heart was breaking. And maybe it was. To have a love like that . . .
“Babe? Glory? What the hell is wrong?”
I looked up. One of the men in my life. A good one? Maybe. The good one? Probably not.
Fourteen
“Ray?” I mopped at my eyes with that bandanna.
“Tell me, what’s wrong?” He pulled me up to face him.
“The Nutts are gone.” I sniffed and tried to make myself presentable. I hadn’t seen Israel Caine in ages, and now I had to face him with a red nose and swollen eyes.
“You can’t eat nuts anyway. Why’re you crying about that?” He smiled and pushed my hair back from my face. “Get a grip.”
“No, I mean Harvey and Emmie Lou Nutt, my resident ghosts. They made up after fighting for decades, and now they’re finally on their way to Heaven. They’ll never haunt my shop again.” I choked back a sob, still sad but realizing that was pretty selfish of me.
“That’s a good thing. Can’t have creepy stuff like that scaring the customers.” Ray looked down at the ruined dresses on the table. “Whoa, what happened here? Looks like motor oil.”
“Long story.” I wasn’t about to share my run-in with a demon. He and Rafe already had issues. If he knew Rafe had brought a demon into my life . . . “My ghosts left my customers alone as long as they were good people. The Nutts hated vamp hunters and were a big help when Westwood was after me.” Now maybe this was something Ray would like to hear about.
“Okay, fine. Good ghosts.” He looked around the back room. “So where’s your knight in shining armor?”
“Which one?” I smiled, wondering if Ray was jealous. I have and always will be a fangirl for this hot rock star.
“I was thinking Blade, but maybe you have the dog panting after you now too.” Ray tried to put his arm around me, but I slipped out of reach.
“Rafe’s a shape-shifter, not a dog. I love dogs, by the way, but now he’s staying in human form and he’s my roommate. When you sing at his club, you’ll have to treat him with respect, Ray.” I kept some distance between us. “Where’s your new girlfriend, the vampire who, as you so delicately put it, popped your cherry?”
“That was a temporary thing. We’ve moved on. Sienna came with me to check out the music festival.”
“Oh? You and Sienna—” Sienna Star was another singer, and they’d had a hit together but nothing more as far as I knew.
“Not together, though the tabloids think so, especially since our duet went platinum.” Ray came close and ran a finger down the vee of my blouse. “I’m still available if that’s what you’re asking.”
“No, I’m not asking. Guess who’s still alive and kicking. No. Guess who’s undead and annoying as hell.” I moved out of reach again.
“I’ll bite.” Ray grinned and showed fang. “Who?”
“Brent Westwood.” This time I grinned as I waited to see his reaction.
“No way. I saw you take him out with his own crossbow.” Ray sat on the stool.
“The ever-helpful Greg Kaplan, drug pusher and EV, turned him, and he’s now one of those evil vampires he hated so much. Don’t you love it?” I sat in the chair on the other side of the room. I really didn’t want Ray too close to me, if he picked up on smells like Richard and Flo had . . .
“I say let’s get a stake and put that creep out of his misery.” Ray was right in front of me and pulling me into his arms before I could stop him. “He almost killed you, Glory.”
“He’s over that urge. Now he just wants me to help him get his billions back. Trust me, I’m going to make him pay through the nose before I think about taking the bastard out again.” I watched Ray’s face and knew the moment he figured out my scent.
“Son of a bitch!” He shoved me back and put a good five feet between us. “You’re having sex with that damned shifter.”
“Now, Ray.” I could see he was furious. With me, with Rafe, even with himself.