Page 62

‘Yeah. But that’s usually a good thing. Like with these. I wanted to bring your tray back and say thank you.’

‘So, they helped?’ He tried to ignore the prickling itch on his shoulder. It only seemed to happen when Mia was around – or in his thoughts – which made him far less inclined to speak to Rayenne or Ophelia about it.

‘I’m smiling, aren’t I?’

‘Did you like?’

‘Yeah. Delicious. I’m not sure about the name though…’

‘Think you can do better?’

‘Unbreak My Heart Brownies?’

‘Maybe…’

They both looked up when the door crashed open, to see Katie stomp, practically radiating anger, across the shop floor and throw her arms around Mia. ‘Mimi, what happened? More details than you texted me.’

‘He was just a toad, Katie.’

Aiden went back to tidying up and waved when Ophelia walked in – a lot more calmly than Katie had – and locked the door once more.

‘Hey, boss. Sage?’ He knew she’d want to smudge any negative energy out of the shop as soon as possible.

‘Quite probably.’ Ophelia took the cash box from him and headed upstairs to the safe, leaving him to dig out sage bundles. He wasn’t trying to eavesdrop – but it was difficult not to overhear in the very quiet room when Katie was less than calm. Especially when certain crystals seemed intent on reflecting the conversation back to him as the shop started to buzz and murmur angrily.

‘What an absolute twatting moron!’

Aiden sighed and reached for Ophelia’s incense as well. The way this was going, sage wouldn’t make a dent, and palo santo would be needed to bring back some positivity.

‘Aiden, did you hear what that idiot said to Mia?’

‘Trying not to listen.’

‘He said he didn’t think it could work, and that he wasn’t interested in seeing her again, because “women who didn’t make an effort gave him the ick”. Will you please tell her how fucking absurd that is?’

‘Maybe he had a point.’ Mia shrugged, looking sad. ‘I hadn’t made anywhere near the same amount of effort as I had the date before. Maybe I should have.’

‘Aiden, will you please tell her?’

‘I think Mia would look great in whatever she wore.’ His eyes locked with hers, and the flash of heat and memories gave him an unexpected jolt. He forced his attention back to the incense box, not wanting her to see the look on his face. He felt bad for Mia having to add another would-be to her toad list, but he was glad the grade-A pillock hadn’t been allowed to touch her in the way he had.

‘See, it’s not just me who thinks that.’

‘Thanks.’ Mia still sounded sad, so he looked up again.

‘Also, I think you shouldn’t have to change who you are to be with someone. If he couldn’t see how gorgeous you are without a load of make-up and sexy clothes and whatever else he expected, then he’s not really your Prince Charming. I think when you meet the right person, he’ll adore you just as much when you’re at your most relaxed – even scruffiest – and most authentic self as he does when you’re glammed up. You shouldn’t need barriers like special clothes and make-up when it’s true love. He shouldn’t care about the clothes and hair and cosmetics, because that’s just wrapping. He should care about you because you, Mia, you’re the gift.’ He shrugged, feeling a bit self-conscious when he realised both women were staring at him. ‘But what do I know? The serial relationship dodger that I am.’

‘I think you’re right.’ Katie agreed with him. ‘I love Phe best wearing nothing.’

Aiden laughed. ‘Didn’t need that image of my boss!’

Katie giggled. ‘I meant nothing special. But now you mention it… yeah, that too! When Ophelia goes full glam she is spectacular. But on a lazy day, when she’s thrown on whatever mismatch of clothes she’s grabbed first and she’s just relaxed and happy… to me that’s Phe at her best.’

‘Wow.’

‘And if your Prince Charming, when he eventually turns up, doesn’t say the same about you, I’ll be the first in line to set him to rights!’

‘Thank you. Both of you.’ Mia’s smile looked a bit more genuine this time. ‘You’re right. I’m just fed up and annoyed because the one-eighty turn was such a shock, and because he was so rude. And probably because he hit on some old scars a bit.’