“Yeah, I know,” I told her. “Believe me, I don’t want to go back there either.”

Glancing at the clock, I saw that it was dinnertime. Too early to see the vampires quite yet, particularly since the days were getting longer. I’d have to wait until after sunset to get their version of the bloodsucking showdown. I gave Aubrey a few more conciliatory pats and then straightened up to call Dante. He didn’t answer, and I wondered if he actually had a customer for a change. When not concocting vile spells, he made his living giving fake Tarot and palm readings. I left a message, telling him I was back.

With time on my hands, I started fretting about Emerald City. I knew the bookstore really could function without me, but the motherly instinct kicked in nonetheless. And since I did have the time, I decided to go over and check on things.

As expected, all was well. It was almost seven, and people on their way home from work were stopping in to pick up things. Business was steady but not crazy.

“Georgina! You’re back.”

I’d been watching the registers from a distance and turned to see Maddie standing behind me, lugging a cardboard display for a new book coming out tomorrow. I smiled. No matter how hard things had been for me with her and Seth, there was something about her bright, open personality that could lighten dark moods.

“For a while. I just wanted to check on things.”

She grinned back. “That’s just like you. Get time off, and come back to work. How are things? Still crazy?”

I shrugged. “Yeah, a little. But it’s nothing I can’t manage. I’m hoping it’ll improve soon.”

“Is it something that might improve with a drink?” She wore a mischievous look, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Only if I’m drinking alone. You’re still here for a couple more hours.”

“Nope. I had to come in early to cover someone, so Janice is going to close.”

It was always nice if a manager could close, but Janice was certainly competent enough. I hesitated. I’d been avoiding Maddie since Christmas, but before Seth, I’d always really liked her a lot. We’d had a lot of good times together, and our personalities clicked well. Seth wasn’t here now, and a drink suddenly seemed like an even better way to pass the time than doing managerial things when I wasn’t actually required to do them.

“Okay.”

She finished up, and about fifteen minutes later, we stepped outside. I got a cigarette out automatically, then paused. “Do you mind?”

“Nah. I don’t like them, but it’s okay. Where do you want to go?”

“I don’t know.” I reached for my lighter, remembered it was out, and pulled out the matches instead. I ran my fingers over its cover and frowned. “You want to go to Mark’s Mad Martini Bar?”

Mark’s was at the top of Queen Anne Hill, making for a rather steep hike. Living around here, I did it fairly regularly, but Maddie was breathing hard when we reached the bar.