Only Skin Deep: Paranormal MMM Romance, page 32
Colby crossed his arms, ire filling him. How dare they discuss his life without him? Make decisions about him without his input? No, that wasn’t the kind of relationship they were going to have. After a couple of seconds simmering in his annoyance, he rose and crossed to the bedroom door, planning to invade their conversation. Just before he reached for the knob, the door whipped open.
“Let’s go for a walk,” Ash said, grabbing Colby’s elbow and spinning him. “We need to check in on Daniel at work. Make sure he’s doing okay.”
“Aren’t you the ones who said I can’t hover over him? To let him rise to the challenge?”
“Yep,” Ash said, herding him to the door. “We never said we couldn’t go in to peek at him. Maybe after that, we can check out the shops, one by one, and see if there’s one where you’d fit in.”
“Why do I feel you’re trying to get rid of me? What’s going on?”
Ash swept him out the door and slammed it closed. “That’s not what’s going on. I know you don’t like to feel confined in the apartment. It’ll do you good to get out and see the sights.”
Colby lifted an eyebrow. “The sights?”
“Have you seen all the shops yet?”
Colby scoffed. “No.”
Ash hit the button on the elevator. “Let’s go check the place out. This is your home now. You might as well know all the benefits of living here. Consider it your coven orientation.”
While Colby knew they weren’t telling him something, he was curious about other parts of the building and the shops below. And he wanted to check in on Daniel. He stepped into the elevator when it opened. When the doors reopened on the first floor, Gideon stood in front of them. He smiled before floating a foot into the air and collecting Colby’s head in his hands.
“What are yo—?”
Colby’s entire life flashed before his eyes—memories speeding past. Things he’d forgotten from his childhood. His parents. The love they had for him. For Daniel. Tears stung his eyes as everything replayed at once in his mind. Their home. The holidays. Birthdays. Barbeques. His studio suddenly appeared, as it had been before the fire. His time there with Ash and Luca was the last thing he saw.
When Gideon released him, his knees went out from under him. Ash scooped him up, preventing his ass from meeting the floor.
“What the fuck?” Colby whispered as Ash departed the elevator. He looked over the man’s shoulder at Gideon, who smiled and waved before the doors closed again. “What did he just do to me?”
“What did who do?” Ash asked, lowering Colby to his feet. “Gideon walked in, and you suddenly collapsed."
"He did… something…” Colby’s jaw tightened. “I saw… everything. My whole life flashed before my eyes.”
“Gideon has that effect on some people. You get used to it.”
“Ash! He did something to me.”
“It’s okay,” Ash murmured.
Colby yanked Ash’s arm. “What did he do to me? This isn’t cool.”
Ash sighed. “He read your memories. We asked him to.”
“For?”
Ash crossed his arms over his chest. “A surprise.”
Colby narrowed his eyes. “I don’t like surprises.”
“You’ll like this one,” Ash murmured.
“Remember asking about the imbalance of power and if it bothered me? This… this is bothering me. I don’t know what you guys are doing, and I don’t like it.”
Ash regarded him. “I realize we haven’t known each other long enough for me to ask you to trust me, but… I need you to trust me. It’s a pleasant surprise—at least, we think it will be. I hope it will be.” Ash scrubbed his face. “Look, we just need to be gone for a little while. You’ll see everything when we return home. Okay?”
Colby frowned. “Gideon doesn’t do that again without my permission.”
“Understood. I’ll tell him and Luca. Promise.”
Colby nodded, the memories causing him to feel shaky. “I need to see Daniel.”
Ash smiled softly. “Okay.”
They ventured toward the café, and Colby pushed through the door first—only it wasn’t the café anymore. It was an old deli he used to go to with his parents when he was younger. “What the hell?”
Ash glanced around. “You know this place?”
“Yeah, but it closed years ago. My parents loved it and were so sad when it was gone.” He spun in a circle. “How did we get here?”
“Was this one of the memories Gideon dragged loose, perhaps?”
Colby considered that for a moment. “Maybe.”
“Then you brought us here.”
“What?”
He dragged Colby outside into the hallway connecting the businesses and shut the door. Turning to face him, Ash grinned. “Imagine your favorite grocery store. Imagine it in your mind.”
“Okay?”
“Do you see it?”
Colby closed his eyes for a second, imagining it. “Yeah.”
Ash urged him to open the door again. As soon as he did, the grocery store he imagined was inside. He slammed the door closed and looked at Ash. “What the hell?”
“How about your favorite restaurant of all time?” Ash asked. “Envision that.”
Colby scoffed but thought about a little place he and his parents had gone while on vacation one year. He opened the door again—and it was that restaurant. He shut the door, facing Ash. “What is this?”
“You’ve read those wizarding books, right?”
“He who shall not be named?”
Ash nodded. “They had a Room of Requirement. I suppose we have a restaurant of requirement. You want it, it becomes that for you. Need groceries? Come shop. Want a pastry and a coffee? It becomes a coffee shop. Or a patisserie. Need a drink? It can become a bar. As long as it’s associated with food or drink, it will become whatever it is you need or crave.”
“So, the delicatessen on 5th Avenue in Manhattan that had the most amazing bagels?” Colby opened the door, and the scent of freshly baked bagels hit his nose. “This is impossible.”
Ash chuckled. “Magic makes the impossible possible.” He closed the door and reopened it to the café Colby recognized.
Colby walked through and saw his brother hard at work behind the counter, decorating cupcakes. “Hey, Daniel!”
Daniel turned and faced him, a broad, loving smile crossing his lips. “Coby! Come look at my cupcakes!”
Colby and Ash sidled up to the case. A tray of beautiful cupcakes sat in front of Daniel. “Those are pretty.”
“They’re yummy, too.”
“What’s in them?” Ash asked.
“Chocolate cupcakes, Coby’s favorite. Filled with coffee-flavored cream because Luca loves coffee. Caramel icing. My favorite.”
“No Ash?” Colby asked, elbowing Ash.
Daniel grabbed something in his palm. “I’m not done.” He sprinkled something on top, pale chips. “Butterscotch mini chips. Ash said he liked butterscotch.” He lifted one finished cupcake. “It’s our family in a cupcake.”
“That sounds amazing,” Ash said. “We need four for dessert tonight, don’t you think?”
“Yeah,” Daniel said, a wide grin spreading across his face. “Just four?”
“Just four,” Colby said. “We don’t need more than that.”
“Mannn,” Daniel said.
“Hey, Daniel—I’m going to take Colby to the other shops to have a look around. After that, we’ll come pick you up for home.”
“Okay,” Daniel said, adding a few more mini-chips to the tray.
Graham wandered over, looking over Daniel’s shoulder. “I see I picked the right person to be my Head of Cupcake Decorating.”
“Yes, you did,” Daniel answered.
Graham chuckled. “Why don’t we put some of those in the case?”
“Sure,” Daniel said. Another of Graham’s employees appeared with a silver tray and helped Daniel fill it with his cupcakes.
Graham turned back to Colby and Ash. “He’s doing great, by the way.”
“I didn’t expect less,” Ash replied.
“Thank you,” Colby murmured. “I appreciate you giving him space and purpose.”
“Cupcake sales nearly doubled yesterday. He’s good for business.” Graham grinned. “He’s already a hit with my team and our customers. We like having him here.”
Colby noted his brother’s smile. “He clearly likes it, too. On that note, are you hiring anyone else?”
Graham’s gaze flew to Ash’s. When Colby turned his head, he thought he’d seen a hint of Ash shaking his head.
“I’m afraid we’re not hiring at the moment. Daniel took the last vacancy.”
“Well, if that changes,” Colby murmured. “Daniel, we’ll be back soon.”
“Okay!”
Colby dragged Ash to the hallway connecting the businesses. As soon as they were through and the door closed, he swung to face Ash. “Did you shake your head no when I asked Graham for a job?”
Ash frowned. “Nooo…”
Colby sensed it was a lie. “Why would you do that?”
“I didn’t,” Ash replied.
Anger filled him. “I need a job!”
“I know,” Ash said. “But you need money, so working here won’t put any in your pocket. Communal living, remember?”
He growled under his breath. “I thought you guys didn’t want me leaving the building for the time being?”
“We don’t.”
“So… I need to do something. I can’t live on the largesse of the coven forever. I can contribute until I can get a job outside again.”
“Sure,” Ash murmured. “Let’s start at the opposite end and work our way back, hmm?”
Colby scowled. “Fine.”
They explored the Moonlit Mandrake next, and he was introduced to Bud, Lily’s twin brother and fellow witch. Filled with all manner of herb, dried and fresh, and gorgeous bouquets of flowers, the shop was a feast for the eyes. Colby had always loved growing things. Learning there was a whole nursery on the top of the building excited him. Maybe Oz, the witch who managed it, could use some help.
As he investigated the shop, he noticed a row of empty planters in funky shapes along one wall. He turned to Ash. “I used to create planters for a greenhouse in Boston. They sold quite a few of them.”
Bud appeared at his side. “We could sell some here, if you’d like.”
“Once I can get back to my pottery. Won’t be too soon, but I’d absolutely be interested when I can.”
“Well, when you do, just bring a couple of samples over and I’ll show Lily. I’m sure we can come to an agreement.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.”
It was much the same in Moon Magic. The witch proprietor, Luna, grew excited hearing about his medicine bowls—which Ash brought up, much to his chagrin. “Yeah, Atlas showed me your TikTok recently and suggested I reach out to you to sell your bowls here in the shop. Would you be interested?”
“I would, but I lost my studio in the fire. When and if I can get a space to start over, I’d love to add some pieces here.”
“Wonderful,” Luna said. “I’d much rather sell coven-made products in the shop.”
After, Colby perused the shop, filled with many witchy goods. Tarot cards, rune stones, ingredients for spells, candles, clothing—practically anything associated with the paranormal world could be bought there. Connected through a narrow doorway between was Practical Magic.
“Like the movie?” Colby asked Ash.
“It’s tongue-in-cheek, and yes, named after the movie. The main character sold shampoos and body lotions and such, much the same as they do here.” Ash eyed the good-looking guy approaching. “And this is Noah, Angelica’s brother. They run this shop. Noah, this is Luca’s and my mate, Colby.”
Noah shook Colby’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Colby.” He leaned a hip against the counter. “I hear you’re a potter?”
“I was,” Colby said.
“Well, I’d love some jars made. Is that possible?”
“When I can get into a studio, I could make that happen—but it’ll likely be a while before I can do that.”
“No rush,” Noah said. “Give us a shout when you can manage it.” The bell rung over the front door, and Noah glanced in that direction. “If you don’t need me?”
“Sure, yes—we’re just looking around,” Ash said.
“Again, nice to meet you, Colby. We’ll talk more later.”
“Yeah… nice meeting you, too.”
Ash coughed. “Seems like your pottery is already in high demand.”
“Pottery I can’t make,” Colby replied. He sighed, pissed to be missing so many opportunities. “Soon. I’ll make it happen soon.”
“Of course, you will,” Ash said. “We have two more shops. Dotty only takes appointments for her tarot readings, so we won’t be able to get in there today, but we can go check out the bookstore.”
“How much longer do we have to wait for this surprise?” Colby had been attempting to keep himself calm but well over an hour had passed and he was ready to see whatever it was they had in store for him.
“I don’t know. Let me check.” Ash dragged out his phone and sent a text. Not two seconds later it pinged. “Why don’t we grab Daniel and head home?”
“Whatever this is—it isn’t going to upset him, is it?”
“Nope,” Ash said with a grin.
“You’re sure?”
“Absolutely.” Ash lowered his head, slanting his lips over Colby’s. The kiss that came nearly took Colby’s breath away. “Come on, mate. Let’s go see our new home.”
“Our new home?”
Ash winced. “Yeah. Well, it’s still new to you.”
Colby narrowed his eyes.
“Just come on.”
Chapter
Twenty-Three
A few minutes later, Colby stood in front of their apartment door, Daniel on one side and Ash on the other. He’d had about enough surprises for a lifetime and wasn’t sure he was ready for another one. Ash nearly thrummed with excitement, so he hoped it actually was a good surprise. He put on his best game face and reached for the knob.
Yet stopped.
“Maybe you should open it,” Colby said, turning to eye Ash.
“Nope. This is for you and Daniel.”
Colby’s stomach clenched. They’re good guys. They will not harm us.
“I’ll do it!” Daniel cried before shoving the door open.
Dappled sunlight spilled out into the hallway, a canopy of leaves fluttering at the top of the doorframe. Spread out beyond appeared to be a road and small houses spaced here and there. Before Colby could stop him, Daniel raced through to the other side. He stumbled a few steps out, narrowly missing Daniel’s shoulder.
What he witnessed around him gave him pause.
“This is our street.” Colby glanced around. “Our neighborhood.” He looked over his shoulder at Ash, frowning. “What is this?”
“Home!” Daniel cried from the middle of the street. “We’re home!”
Daniel raced down the road.
“Wait!” Colby said. Daniel didn’t need to see their childhood home again, not in tatters. It would break his heart. When he chased after his brother, he soon realized that wasn’t the case.
It was all in one piece again. As if nothing had ever happened.
He froze on the sidewalk, staring. Stunned. Tears burned the backs of his eyes.
Ash crept beside him. “Is it how you remembered it?”
“What is this?” He stared at Ash, unnerved. “Is this real?”
“Real? To some degree.”
“Are we really on my street?”
“No,” Ash said. “This is a recreation of your neighborhood. We’re still in the coven building.”
Colby stared, silent. He wasn’t sure what to say.
Ash gazed about the neighborhood. “Wanna see your house?”
“I don’t think I can.”
Ash frowned. “Why not?”
“I lost everything in that fire. While I appreciate you wanting to give us a little slice of home, we need to move forward.” Colby winced. “The illusion will only last a little while and I can’t stand to lose it again.”
“We had the coven architect remodel the apartment.”
“Okay. Show me that. I want to see our apartment.”
Ash swept an arm around. “This is it.”
Colby’s gaze swung to Ash’s, eyes wide. “This is our apartment? The entire neighborhood?”
“Yeah,” Ash said, wry smile on his lips. “Even if the witches fixed your house, the demons are still a danger. You’re safer here… so I asked the coven architect to alter our apartment and recreate it here. It’s an illusion, yes, but it won’t disappear. Unless you want it to?” Ash drew in a deep breath. “We can change it back. No worries.”
Colby surveyed the street. The sun overhead was warm. He could smell the lilac tree in Mrs. Martinez’s yard. An autumn breeze washed over his skin, sending a pile of leaves skittering along the street.
How had they done that? How did it feel so real?
“This is what the demons used, isn’t it? An illusion like this?”
Ash sighed. “Fuck… I didn’t even think of that when I asked them to change the apartment. I’m so sorry.”
“No,” Colby murmured, pressing a hand to Ash’s chest. The fact they’d gone so far out of their way to create a slice of home for him and Daniel… he couldn’t quite put the emotions he felt into words. “I can’t believe you did this for me.”
Ash’s smile warmed.
“How did you make it so realistic?” Realization hit. “Gideon.”
Ash nodded.
“He went through my memories for this?”
“Luca had to talk Gideon into it. He doesn’t enjoy invading someone’s memories without permission.” He laughed. “Well, unless it’s an enemy. He did a number on a demon recently using the creature’s own twisted memories of being tortured. It was scary, to tell the truth.”
“Good thing he’s on our side.”
“I said the same thing,” Ash murmured.
Colby turned to face Ash. “You turned your apartment into my childhood home.”
“Our apartment.” Ash peeked through the trees. “We kept a few spaces for us, but mostly it’s based on your home.”
