He was not making her inner war any easier. “Thank you.”
He held the door for her, then shut it behind her. He also opened her car door and waited while she slid in before closing the door and going around to his side.
Maybe that was normal. Maybe all guys did that. But she’d dated enough in college to know that wasn’t true.
“So where are we going tonight?”
“I thought I’d keep it light and easy since you were a little wary about going out with me.”
She looked down at her hands. “I didn’t exactly say I was wary.”
“Oh, I think you made it clear. But you can trust me, Aubry. I’m a pretty great guy.”
She shifted her gaze to him. “And so modest, too.”
His lips curved. “Yeah, that too.”
He drove toward the west end of the city, and when he pulled up in front of a light brown brick building and parked, she turned to face him.
“Are we stopping at a friend’s house?”
“Nope. This is part one of our date tonight.”
She had no idea what that meant, but when he came around to her side of the car, she got out. It was then she noticed the sign planted on the front lawn.
Madame Sheila’s Psychic Readings.
She tilted her head and gave him a look. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. I thought it might be fun.”
“I’m going to tell you up front that I don’t believe in this stuff.”
He shrugged. “We’ll give it a go. Madame Sheila might have insight into our futures.”
“Uh-huh. Sure she will.”
Though she had to admit, it sounded fun. Hokey as hell, but fun.
They stepped inside the house. It was an older home, with a parlor entry. Just inside, there was a desk, with a young, very attractive brunette sitting behind it.
“May I help you?”
How very official.
Tucker gave his and Aubry’s first names. The woman clicked on her laptop. “Yes, Madame Sheila will see you both shortly. I have you booked with a group appointment. Is that correct?”
Tucker turned to her. “I thought it would be more fun that way, but you can go in alone if you have some deep dark secrets you’d like to keep from me.”
She laughed. “No, we can go together.”
Considering the woman would likely tell her she was going to meet a tall, dark stranger, she figured her secrets—since she didn’t have any—were safe.
They took a seat and waited about five minutes. It gave her time to appreciate what had to be original wood floors and the gorgeous crown molding. The solid wood archway leading into the alcove just behind Madame Sheila’s assistant was something to covet. It would make a lovely sitting area—or even an office. It made Aubry want a house of her own.
Someday. Once her residency was finished and she was settled in, she’d be able to house shop, and then she’d have the place of her dreams.
“We’re ready for you now,” the brunette said, having appeared from down the hall. “Please come this way.”
She spoke in hushed tones, like they had an audience with the Pope or something. Aubry rolled her eyes at Tucker.
“Hey, this is serious business,” he said, his lips curving.
“I can hardly wait.”
They were taken to a room just to the right off the hall. The room was brightly lit, surprisingly. Aubry expected complete darkness, candles, and maybe a crystal ball on the table. And of course Madame Sheila wearing robes and a turban.
Instead, there were two sofas and several comfortable chairs. And an older woman with short brown hair who smiled when they entered. She was wearing slacks and an orange blouse. No turban in sight.
“Good evening. My name is Sheila. You are Tucker and Aubry?”
Tucker walked in and shook her hand. “Yes. I’m Tucker.”
“And I’m Aubry.” She shook Sheila’s hand.
“Please, sit down. Would you care for some coffee or tea? Or some water?”
“Nothing for me, thank you,” Aubry said.
“I’m good,” Tucker said.
Sheila nodded. “That’ll be all for now, Brenda.”
The brunette shut the door behind them.
“Well, then, I’ll start my speech. I’m Sheila Aveila. I’m a psychic medium, which means I can see the past, plus the future. You booked your appointment through my assistant, Brenda, who is also my daughter. Other than that, I know nothing about the two of you. Can you confirm that?”
“Yeah. I gave her my first name and Aubry’s first name and my cell phone number. Nothing else,” Tucker said.
“Good. Then we’ll get started.” Sheila closed her eyes for a few seconds and took several deep breaths. Then she opened her eyes and stared at Aubry.
“You lost someone you loved not too long ago. Someone you cared very deeply about.”
Aubry was about to say something, but Sheila held up her hand to stop her.
“Your grandmother?”
Aubry didn’t know how Sheila would be aware of that. “I . . . yes.”
“You have her bracelet. A charm bracelet. You keep it in your jewelry box, and when you’re stressed or upset, you take it out and put it on. It gives you comfort.”
No one would know that. Even Aubry’s mother didn’t know about her ritual. “Yes.”
“That makes your grandmother happy. She’s with you when you do that, and she wants you to know that someday soon, your life will get easier. But in the meantime, take comfort, because she’s always with you.”