Page 11 of Hex and the Kitty (Whispering Pines #9)
ELEVEN
M olly’s mouth fell open. Had Warrick Shaw—stern, serious, centuries-old Warrick Shaw—just flirted with her?
“I... that’s not what I... I didn’t mean...” she stammered.
He grinned. “You’re cute when you’re flustered.”
Molly’s heart performed an acrobatic sequence in her chest. She took a deep breath, regaining her composure.
“What if,” she began carefully, “we give them what they want?”
“Tiger cubs?” His eyebrow arched, teasing her.
“No!” Molly exclaimed, her blush deepening. “I meant, what if we pretend to date? If they think their plan worked, they’d stop the meddling. We could hang out occasionally, be seen together, then ‘break up’ amicably in a few weeks.”
Warrick considered her suggestion, his expression unreadable. “You want to fake a relationship?”
“When you put it that way, it sounds ridiculous,” Molly backpedaled. “Forget I suggested it.”
“I didn’t say no,” Warrick replied, his voice dropping to a register that vibrated through her bones. “But if we’re going to do this, I want to do it properly.”
Molly blinked. “Properly?”
“Yes.” Warrick set down his cup with deliberate precision. “If we’re pretending to date, I want actual dates. Real ones.”
Something in his tone made her pulse trip over itself. “You want to really date... while pretending to date?”
“I’m new to town,” he explained, his golden gaze holding hers. “I want to fit in, get to know people. You’re respected here, connected. It makes sense.”
“Of course,” Molly said, a tiny flicker of disappointment igniting in her chest. He wanted to network, not romance her. “Practical.”
“And,” he continued, his voice softening, “I find your company... enjoyable.”
The flutter in Molly’s stomach intensified. Maybe not so practical after all.
“All right,” she agreed, trying to sound casual despite her racing heart. “Real dates. For pretend dating.”
Warrick’s smile—that rare, transformative expression—returned. “Good. I’ll plan our first evening out.”
A movement outside caught Molly’s attention. Gus Niles stood on the sidewalk, watching them through the glass. His expression darkened when Warrick laughed at something Molly said, his sandy-brown hair ruffling in the morning breeze.
A chill prickled along her spine despite the warm tea in her hands. Something about Gus triggered her witch senses—a dissonant energy signature that set her teeth on edge. His gaze fixed on Warrick with unmistakable resentment.
Gus noticed her watching and vanished into the morning crowd.
“Everything all right?” Warrick asked, following her gaze.
“Yes,” Molly said, pushing aside her unease. “Just thought I saw someone.”
Warrick checked his watch and rose reluctantly. “I should get back to the station.”
“Of course,” Molly nodded, walking him to the door. “Thank you again for the rescue.”
“Next time,” he said with a straight face that slowly cracked into a smile, “I expect your rolling pin to help more and flirt less.”
Her laugh bubbled up, bright and surprised. “I’ll have a stern talk with it.”
Standing in the doorway, Warrick hesitated. “I’ll contact you about our first... outing.”
“I’ll look forward to it,” Molly replied, surprised by the sincerity in her voice.
As she watched him walk away, her eyes traced the confident set of his shoulders, the easy grace of his movement. How had a disastrous baking experiment led to dating—fake, but with real dates—the most intriguing man she’d met in years?
She returned to her shop, now dough-monster-free but somehow transformed. Her grandmother’s rolling pin waited on the counter, still aimed at the door where Warrick had exited.
“Oh, hush,” Molly told it, fighting a smile. “Don’t you start matchmaking too.”
As she prepared to open for the day, confusion swirled through her thoughts. Warrick Shaw confused her—stern one moment, flirtatious the next. His rare smile made her heart race; his voice sent tingles down her spine. These reactions puzzled her. At forty-two, she’d moved past schoolgirl crushes long ago.
Yet something about him called to her—not just his physical appeal, but glimpses of the man beneath the serious exterior. The way he’d jumped to protect her without hesitation. His unexpected humor. The brief flash of vulnerability when she’d mentioned his smile.
Molly arranged fresh pastries in the display case, her movements automatic while her mind circled back to golden eyes and that rumbling laugh. Whatever his reason for agreeing to their arrangement, she found herself genuinely eager for what came next.
Whether it led to something real or remained a charade, only time would tell.