“It’s a small island, word gets around. You don’t need to talk to me about an outside catering job, Nell.”

She made a mental note to order more ritual candles. There’d been a run on them during the solstice, and they were running unacceptably low on Passion and on Prosperity. Which just showed, she supposed, where many people’s priorities lay.

“Your free time is your time,” she added.

“I just wanted to tell you that if I did the job for her, it wouldn’t interfere with my work here.”

“I should hope not, particularly since I’m giving you a raise.” She glanced at her watch. “Time to open, Lu.”

“You’re giving me a raise?”

“You’ve earned it. I hired you at a probationary salary. You’re officially off probation.” She unlocked the door, walked over to turn on the music system. “How was your dinner with Zack the other night?” Mia asked with amusement. “A small island, as I said.”

“It was fine. It was just a friendly dinner.”

“Good-looking boy,” Lulu said. “Quality, too.”

“I’m not trying to lure him into temptation.”

“Something wrong with you, then.” Lulu tipped down her silver frames and peered over them. It was a look she was particularly proud of. “If I were a few years younger, I’d be setting out lures. Got a great pair of hands on him. Bet he knows how to use them.”

“No doubt,” Mia said mildly. “But you’re embarrassing our Nell. Now where was I? Gladys’s anniversary, check. Raise, check. Dinner with Zack, check.” She paused, tapped a fingertip against her lips. “Ah, yes. Nell, I wanted to ask. Do you have a religious or political objection to cosmetics or jewelry?”

She could find nothing more constructive to do than huff out her breath. “No.”

“That’s a relief. Here.” She took off the silver dangles on her ears, handed them to Nell. “Wear these. If anyone asks where you got them, they come from All That Glitters, two doors down. We like to promote other merchants. I’ll want them back at the end of your shift. Tomorrow you might try a little blush, maybe some lipstick, eyeliner.”

“I don’t have any.”

“I’m sorry.” Mia held up a hand, laid the other on her heart, and staggered to the counter for support. “I feel a little faint. Did you say you don’t own any lipstick?”

The corner of Nell’s mouth turned up and brought out a hint of dimples. “I’m afraid not.”

“Lulu, we have to help this woman. It’s our duty. Emergency supplies. Hurry.”

Lips quivering with what might have been a smile, Lulu hauled a large cosmetic bag out from under the counter. “She’s got good skin.”

“A blank canvas, Lu. A blank canvas. Come with me,” she ordered Nell.

“The café—the regulars will be coming in any second.”