The Shop of Shades and Secrets (Modern Gothic Romance 1) Read Online Free Page A

table. “You know I can’t wait to quit. I’d have done it already if I was sure the shop would support me in the manner in which I’m accustomed.”
     
    “I’m shocked at your restraint, Fiona.” Chris grinned, looking up as the waitress served their drinks. “You change careers more often than Lady Gaga changes clothes, and I figured it was about that time for you to be making a switch anyway. You’re always so good at your jobs—but this shop will mean a real commitment from you. You won’t be able to leave when you get bored. Unless you want to sell it.”
     
    “Yeah. That C word gives me the willies.” Fiona laughed lightly and looked down at the pile of intricate gold bands, pushing them around on the tabletop with her forefinger. “Just like my mom. I come by it honestly, I guess. I’m sure I’ll hang on to the shop for awhile, anyway.”
     
    Despite the fear building inside her—from the fact that she now owned something, that she had to be responsible for a business—Fiona already knew she didn’t want to give up the shop. She’d only been there the one time, but there was something about it, something that made her feel like she belonged there. She hoped she could find a way to make it work.
     
    Fiona removed the tea bag from her mug and placed it on the saucer, inhaling the scent of jasmine tea. “I have a lot to learn, though—what I know about antiques would fit in this cup.”
     
    “Your background should help a little bit there, though,” commented Chris, swiping a spoonful of whipped cream from the top of her coffee.
     
    Fiona nodded and had to push the hair out of her face again. She had two undergraduate degrees: one in art history and one in interior design—an excellent example of her inability to make commitments. “At least I know the time periods and basic styles,” she agreed, sipping the green tea. It was clean and light, and the essence of jasmine relaxed her. “But I won’t know anything until I meet with that lawyer on Monday.”
     
    “Speaking of lawyers, you never got back to me on my text about Tuesday,” Chris said.
     
    “Text?” Fiona reached for her bag. “I didn’t get any text from you.” She began to rummage in the depths of the satchel. Or did she? If she could actually find the phone….
     
    “Did you lose your cell again?” Chris shook her head in mock annoyance. “I don’t know why I bother trying. I should just stick to face to face or calling you at work.”
     
    “So what’s going on Tuesday?” Fiona asked, still feeling around amid the jumble for her phone. When was the last time she’d seen it?
     
    “There’s a guy I want you to meet,” her friend replied, her eyes dancing with humor. “He’s just so sweet and down to earth, and he’s never been married.”
     
    But Fiona was already shaking her head. “That lawyer? No way. You know how I feel about that breed. And I don’t trust any blind date you arrange for me anyway, especially after the guy who was supposed to be a veterinarian. The man had hands like the Tin Man—big and knuckly and creaky.”
     
    “You are so weird about hands, Fiona. And you know that blind date was only to pay you back for sending me flowers from Colin Farrell.”
     
    Fiona smirked, remembering how she’d called her, babbling uncontrollably about the dozen red roses that she’d received the day after meeting Colin Farrell at a charity function Chris had chaired. “That was a good one, wasn’t it?”
     
    “Not as good as the vet I set you up with—the one who performs hypnosis on dogs and cats.”
     
    Fiona snorted and flapped her hand to brush off her friend’s aspirations. “You are nowhere near as good as I am when it comes to great practical jokes. Just keep trying, though. Maybe someday you’ll learn.” She sipped more of her tea.
     
    “Anyway, this lawyer—”
     
    “Speaking of lawyers,” Fiona said, bent on changing the subject. “Why is an accountant better than a