Love Potion #9 by Claire Delacroix Page B

you’re going to meet some guy on this cruise, some guy who knows in advance -“ he counted off on his fingers “- one, that you’ll be there; two, that you’ll be looking for him, courtesy of Lilith; three, just exactly what your net worth would be; and four, that he and Lilith have a deal to split the profits of any ensuing match. Fifty-fifty at divorce court, that’s the law. Even splitting it between your Romeo and Lilith will leave them both with a nice chunk of change.”
    Andrea bounded to her feet in horror. “Mitch Davison! How could you think something so perfectly awful about your new neighbor? How could you think that Lilith is so calculating as that? That she’d take advantage of me ? That’s just horrible!”
    Mitch spread out his hands, unapologetic. “We don’t really know her, Andrea, or very much about her. These people thrive on establishing quick trust. They’re very, very good at it.”
    â€œ These people.” Andrea straightened with disdain. Oh! She knew Lilith wasn’t trying to swindle her! “Lilith isn’t that kind of person! Just look at how nice she’s been to you and Jason already. And she gave me that reading for free!” She shook a finger at her stepson. “You’re not behaving as graciously as I know you are. What’s gotten into you? And where are your manners?”
    Mitch, to his credit, looked a little shamefaced by this. And so he should, to Andrea’s way of thinking. A lot of people would have been nasty about that fence.
    â€œMaybe she has a partner who does the dirty work,” he suggested quietly. “The details aren’t important.”
    â€œ Mitch Davison! The details are important!” Andrea cried. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you. You never used to be so suspicious of people.” She poked him in the chest and he didn’t even flinch. “Maybe you just don’t know what to do when a pretty woman is nice to you.”
    â€œOuch one more time,” Mitch retorted grimly.
    Andrea lifted her chin defiantly. “Mitch, I don’t care how suspicious you are or even why. I trust Lilith and because of that, I’m going on that cruise.” She waved her finger beneath his nose. “And when I marry the wonderful man I’m going to meet there, you are going to be the first to toast the happy couple.”
    â€œAndrea!” Mitch’s exasperation was more than clear. He was in hot pursuit when she swept regally from the room. “You can’t do this!”
    â€œI most certainly can. And I’m going to.” Andrea let her eyes narrow as she glared at the most stubborn and protective man alive. “Just watch me.”
    Andrea knew Mitch wouldn’t stop her when she turned to march up the stairs. Just as she knew that he wouldn’t stop her from going on that cruise. And he would gradually, grudgingly accept any man she married, provided that man was good to her.
    And how could the man of her destiny be anything else?

Of course, that didn’t mean that Mitch would give up very easily.
    â€œWell, don’t sign any prenuptial agreements before your lawyer reads them!” he called behind her and Andrea smiled as she climbed the stairs.
    He was just a protective old bear, that was Mitch’s problem. Trying to save the world from itself, just like she told Lilith. It was endearing in a way.
    When it wasn’t downright irritating.
    She pivoted at the top of the stairs and eyed her disgruntled stepson saucily. “Tsk tsk. If you’d been nice to me, I might have volunteered to do your grocery shopping tomorrow.”
    Mitch snorted, but Andrea could hear his usual even temper already being restored. “Right. Cheetos and Popsicles all around. Don’t do me any favors.”
    Andrea grinned. “I was thinking more of chocolate bars and bubble gum.”
    Mitch groaned in mock agony and she