What the Hex? (A Paranormal P.I. Mystery Book 1) by Rose Pressey

going?” I asked as we headed off the Strip.
    “It’s a surprise,” Derek said.
    “I don’t like surprises. Not when someone has been shooting at us.” I looked in the mirror to see if anyone suspicious was back there. Now every time I saw an Elvis I was terrified.
    “Surprises are fun,” Derek said as he made the next turn.
    I quirked an eyebrow.
    He sighed. “Okay, we’re headed to that person I told you about. The one who may or may not know a loan shark.”
    “This sounds shady,” I said.
    “Would I take you someplace shady?”
    He knew the answer to that by my quirked eyebrow. No need for words. 
    As soon as we pulled up I said, “You have to be kidding.”
    “What?”
    “What does your friend do?” I asked.
    “He’s a gondolier.”
    I looked around. “Where is he? Is he meeting us out here?”
    “He’s working now. We’ll have to take a boat ride. He’ll talk to us while we’re on the boat.”
    “What?” I stared at him.
    “Are you having problems with your ears?” Derek asked.
    “I heard you, but I can’t believe that you’re actually serious.”
    “You don’t like the water?” Derek asked as he shut off the car.
    I didn’t know how to respond. I liked the water just fine, but this was way too romantic. Derek opened the door and got out.
    When I didn’t leave the car immediately, he opened the door. “Come on, Cece, you’ll love it.”
    It was hard to tell him no. I got out and walked with him to the area where the tickets were sold.
    “I’ll be right back,” he said and hurried off.
    After Derek paid for our tickets we waited to get on the boat. A breeze drifted across the night air. The sky held an endless amount of stars. This trip was for couples, romance, and marriage proposals. It wasn’t for partners who would clearly never have romantic feelings for each other. Derek winked at me, as if he’d read my mind. The things I did in order to solve a case. 
    “Where is everyone?” I asked.
    Derek shrugged. “I guess we’re the only ones on this boat.”
    I looked at him suspiciously.
    “What?” He held his hands up. “I did nothing wrong.”
    The man wore a white and black striped shirt and black pants with a red sash. Dark hair that reached just above his collar peeked out from under the straw hat. This was just like the costumes I’d always associated with a gondolier. 
    He approached Derek. “Hey, man, how’s it going?”
    They shook hands. “It’s going great, Dave. Good to see you.”
    “Are you here for the ride?” He looked at me.
    “Yes, Dave, this is my business associate, Cece Cash.”
    A warm smile spread across his face. “Nice to meet you.”
    “Good to meet you,” I said.
    “Come on over.” He waved us over to the gondola.
    Derek and I climbed into the boat. It rocked slightly as we sat down. Derek sat right beside me. My stomach did a flip. I tried to inch away, but there was nowhere to go.
    The man started directing the boat down the water. Music played from somewhere. Where did he have the speaker hidden? This was entirely too romantic. We neared the bridge.
    Just as we were about to go under it, Dave said, “This is where you have to kiss.”
    My eyes widened. “Excuse me?” I must have a problem with my ears after all. I thought for sure that he’d said I was supposed to kiss Derek now.
    He repeated what he’d said word for word.
    “Why would I kiss him?” I asked with a chuckle.
    Did I sound nervous?
    “You have to hurry. We’re almost under the bridge.”
    Derek turned to face me. His face was dangerously close to mine. “Oh, come on, Cece, you have to do it. It’s tradition. He won’t stop talking until we kiss.”
    I shook my head. If it would get him to stop so that we could ask the real questions, then fine. I straightened my shoulders and prepared for the kiss.
    Derek leaned in close and my heart sped up. I closed my eyes as he pressed his soft lips on mine. Derek’s long, slow kiss was so thorough that it clouded