Sticks and Stones by Kerrie Dubrock Page A

and led her to the bedroom. 
              Smiling, he
followed her to the kitchen wondering if she donned the outfit on purpose.
              “Smells good.”
              “I brought your
favorite, cherry Danish.” He set the packages on the white wooden table along
with the cardboard beverage tray filled with two large coffees.
              She carried
plates to the table and sat opposite of him. “So, is everything okay?”
              “Yeah. I moved
out of the condo the other day while she was out doing God knows what. Anyway,
I nosed around her office, after jimmying the door open.” He handed her a
coffee and opened the lid of the pastry box. “I don’t know much about magic or
spells, but in all the years we were together I don’t remember you using black
candles. Isn’t there significance to the color black?”
              Grace took a
sip of coffee and shrugged. “Not necessarily. I find it odd, however, that when
we were friends, she never had any interest in Wicca.”
              Ben rolled his
eyes. “She thinks you have all that you do because of magic. And she wants
everything you have.”
              Grace took a
bite of Danish and frowned. “She had you. What more does she want?”
     
    *        *        *
              On Monday
morning Zee rapped lightly on Blake’s office door. “Got a minute?”
               “Sure, what’s
up?”
              “What’s up with
Grace?” she asked, settling into a brown leather chair.
              “Like?” he
prompted.
              “What happened
between her and Ben?”
              “Look, I’m not
one to gossip, but…” Blake began.
              Nearly an hour
later Zee shook her head, disgusted. “So, she got comfy in their relationship,
gained a few pounds, because, well, hell, that’s what happy people do and he
bitched about it to his co-workers?” Zee growled.
              Blake nodded.
“Yeah. Max pulled Ben aside one day after one of his rants and told him Grace
was too good for him and the next time he spoke ill about her, he’d punch him
in his perfect face.”
               “This Janice
sounds like a real bitch, too.”
              “I’ve only met
her briefly so I don’t really have an opinion other than, yes; she’s a bitch
for stealing Ben away from her best friend.”
              Zee nodded and
stood. “Thanks for sharing. I promise, what you’ve told me won’t go any
farther.”
     
    *        *        *
     
              Grace walked
into Bewitching Designs with a smile plastered over her face. “Oh Zee, you’re
gonna love me! Your bedroom’s finished!”
              “Really? You
mean I can finally go back to my apartment? I mean, I love my sister and all,
but her kids?”
              “Yep! As soon
as we close I’m driving you home just so I can see your expression!”
              Zee held up her
index finger as she answered the phone. “Bewitching Designs!” She nodded and
replied, “Hold on, please. Grace, it’s Becky Martin, the fund raiser. She’s
been trying to reach you.”
              Grace slapped
her forehead. “Ohmigosh! I keep forgetting to call her back.” She spotted
someone in the meeting room and lifted her eyebrows. “Is that Chase Storm?”
              Zee nodded.
“He’s only been waiting a few minutes and said he didn’t make an appointment to
see you, but he wanted to wait. Do you want to take this call?”
              “Just tell
Becky that whatever she needs me for, I’ll be there for her,” Grace replied
over her shoulder, walking towards the meeting room.
              “But Grace, I
think you need to hear what she’s planning,” Zee warned.
              “It’ll be fine.
Whatever she wants from me, she’s got,