Magic and Mayhem: When You Witch Upon A Star (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Melanie James Page B

bathrooms in the big house. We spent plenty of time together. There wasn’t much to do in the area, but we found ways to entertain ourselves. For example, we did get in the habit of having lunch near a construction project, or having a picnic in a park with a great view of the firemen washing their trucks. Watching hot shirtless guys was better than going to the movies.
      As far as listening for rumors about Shifters, we didn’t hear so much as a hint or a whisper on the topic. Rollan continued to smile at me and occasionally he’d say good morning, if he ever got a spare second. He was kept much busier than me.
    Just those few brief encounters must have done something, though, because I had hot steamy dreams about Rollan two nights in a row. It was killing me.
    I decided it was time to intensify the focus of my Shifter investigation on Rollan—for the advancement of scientific knowledge, of course. So, my second week included a change to my routine. We went into work a few minutes early. I’d hang out near the back kitchen door, waiting for Rollan. Guess what? It worked. I finally got some time to talk to him.
    A few days into the new routine, we had an interesting conversation that went beyond the weather or news. “Good morning, Rollan!” I said, working my best pose.
    “Bonjour, Jessica. I’m beginning to think you are waiting for me now every morning.”
    “What?” My face which was probably exaggerated by fake disbelief and surprise. “Waiting for you? That’s funny. I have to… uh, um… yeah. Dee Dee asked me to come in and check to make sure the little clips are working.”
    “Did you say clips?”
    “You know, where the cook hangs up the orders we hand in? Yeah. It’s a major problem if they malfunction.” I pushed on the metal clips. “See, now that one is good. I check them every morning.”
    Rollan’s playful smile and twinkling dark eyes spelled mischief. “Well, it was a sweet thought, that you came early to see me. I was nearly flattered. Too bad for my breaking heart. Go on, check the clips. I’ll be pouting by the dishwashing machine.” He feigned a sad face and turned away.
    I wasn’t about to continue the charade. He was too damn cute. “Okay, okay. You got me. Yes, I come in early every day just to talk to you.” I didn’t expect to blush, but suddenly I did, and I couldn’t stop.
    “I hoped so. You know, we have something in common. We both just moved here. We both seem to be drawn to each other, like magnets.”
    “Nice line, Romeo.”
    “No, I’m serious. I know you feel it too, or you wouldn’t be here.”
    His honesty and openness were refreshing. “Yes. I do feel it.” I felt like giggling like an idiot but restrained it to a smile.
    “Where are you living?”
    “I’m staying with Gina. She has her grandmother’s big house to herself, so it works. You?”
    “I had a hard time finding a place. Finally I found a housetrailer for rent, but it’s out of town. Do you know the place called Goosebelly Corners?”
    “Not Goosebelly! It’s Gooseberry—and yes, I do. That’s where I’m staying, too, in the big yellow house. We’re practically neighbors!”
    “Ah! I know where that is. Then we should visit with each other after work, Jessica. How does this afternoon sound?”
    After my heart started beating again and I was done gasping for air, I nodded. “That would be nice. How about three?”
    “I will be knocking on your door at three, Jessica. Time for me to work.” Rollan winked and headed into the kitchen, whistling an unfamiliar tune.
    I hopped, or ran, or maybe both, excited to tell Gina the news. We collided in front of the drink fountains.
    “Gina! Gina! I know I should have asked you first, but is it okay if we have a guy come over this afternoon?”
    “Whoa! We? Did you include me in something kinky?”
    “No, I meant to say I have a guy coming to visit, but we never talked about having people come over like that. You know, it’s your house