The Good Luck Potion (The Good Luck Series) (2 page)

Afraid to speak, Sue only nodded.

Lucinda moved her hands in a circular motion making her bracelets jingle and she reached for the black pouch. She chanted an incantation as she slowly parted the pouch’s drawstring closure before she poured the contents into Sue’s palm. “The gris-gris is an all-powerful amulet. If you wear it around your neck, it will draw your true love to your heart.”

“How will I know it’s him?”

“My, my, but you are an eager one. So unlike my Keely and Jama. Neither of them wanted to believe at first. Yet each had different experiences with the gris-gris. I have a feeling your time with it will be unique as well.”

“Tell me everything.”

The deep rumble of Lucinda’s chuckle filled the room. “It is said that when you find your true love that the gris-gris will open, spilling forth the blood red stone in the center. However, this is not always true as Jama will tell you. She embraced the gris-gris openly. Keely resisted up to the very end until she couldn’t deny its powers. Only time will tell if you will see the stone.”

Sue took a deep breath and lifted the chain, putting the amulet on.

“Remember. You must wear this always, never taking it off. Is that clear?” Lucinda warned closing the drawstring and putting the pouch back into her big bag.

“I understand.”

“Good.” Lucinda stood. “Go. Enjoy dinner with your sister.”

“You know. I think I just might now that I have this.” Sue touched the charm. “Thank you so much, Lucinda.”

“Think nothing of it. I’ll be in touch.”

Chapter Two

Sue applied the brake, slowing to a stop
outside of her sister’s house. She prepared to park behind a small pickup truck but became distracted when she saw a cute guy walk from the curb toward the house. His short cropped brown hair and two day stubble was a sexy combination. He filled out his jeans in all the right places too, drawing her attention to his behind instead of keeping her mind on coming to a full stop. When her car bumped into the tail end of the truck she jerked to attention.

“Oh no.” She
shifted to reverse, inched back a little and put it in park. Gripping the steering wheel tight, she laid her head on it, afraid to look. She was certain he’d heard the minor collision. She didn’t recognize him as one of Phil’s friends because he was definitely someone she would remember. Whoever he was, he’d no doubt be angry and justifiably so.

If she didn’t feel obligated to go inside she’d
leave, but she couldn’t bail on her sister. Though by the number of cars parked in the drive it was clear she wouldn’t be missed. Kimberly had said dinner with a friend or two, but this looked like a large dinner party. Leave it to her sister to tell a white lie to get her to come tonight.

A knock on
the window prompted her to look up. The hunky guy was standing outside her door and she swallowed the lump of anxiety that had formed in her throat. Resigned that she had to face him and the damage she had caused, she pulled her keys from the ignition, grabbed her purse and got out.

“Are you okay?”
His look of worry startled her.

She
slowly nodded, but her cheeks grew warm. “I’m sorry. I got a little too close and bumped you. Is there any damage to your truck? I’ll pay for it. It was totally my fault.”

“
Relax. It’s just a truck. The most important thing is that you weren’t hurt. Did you hit your head?”

She swallowed, caught off guard by his concern for her safety when she was the one at fault. “No. I’
m fine. Just rattled…I’m normally a safe driver. I wasn’t expecting so many cars to be here.”

He grinned and nodded
, extending his hand. “It does look like a crowd. I’m Alex by the way.”

“Sue Charles.
” She shook his hand. “I’m Kimberly’s sister.”

“
Nice to meet you, Sue Charles. Should we go inside?”

“Don’t you think we should check for damage?”

“I don’t think there is any, but if it will make you feel better, we can look.”

She followed him to the
front of the car and they inspected both vehicles. Thankfully he was right. There wasn’t a scratch on either, but it didn’t change the fact that she’d hit his truck because she’d been staring at his butt. And the way he kept grinning made her feel he knew what had really distracted her. As if that wasn’t enough, the gris-gris warmed against her chest, reminding her that less than an hour ago Lucinda had given her the one thing that was supposed to ensure she meet her soul mate.

Mortified
by what she’d done, she really wanted to hurry to the house and lock herself in Kimberly’s bedroom until everyone left. But she couldn’t, especially when Alex was trying to make her feel at ease. He was not only good looking, but a nice person and definitely someone she’d expect would be Phil’s friend.

“See. No damage.
” He smiled. “No harm. No foul. Let’s forget it and have a good time tonight.”

She glanced up at him
, grateful for his good nature. “Okay. I’ll try to forget it, but I’m truly sorry.”

“
Like I said, it’s just a truck.” He motioned for her to go ahead of him and he followed her up the walk.

The front door open
ed before they reached it. Kimberly was all smiles and she looked amazing in the floral sundress and sandals she wore. “I was getting worried about you two. Everyone else has already arrived. Come on in and let me get you the last lock and key.”

“What?” Sue
followed her sister into the living room and saw there were five other females wearing a lock on a string around their necks.

“Phil and I thought it would be fun to have a lock and key party. Have you ever heard of it?”

“No.” Sue grimaced.

“It’s simple really. You wear this lock and each male is given a key.
” Kimberly turned to Alex, handing one to him. “Each key matches one lock. It’s the guy’s job to find out which one. We thought it would be a great way to start a conversation and for my friends to get to know Phil’s friends.”

“Where’d you get this idea?”
Sue asked.

“A movie on
one of those cable romance channels. Phil and I both thought it was the cutest idea ever.” Kimberly’s enthusiasm wasn’t rubbing off on her. “Relax. Who knows, you might just meet someone tonight. Haven’t you been moaning for the last few months about needing a date?”

“Kimberly!” Sue gasp
ed, not believing her sister had just said that in front of him. She grabbed her by the arm and led her toward the kitchen. “How could you say that in front of Alex?”

“Sorry, but it’s true.”

“It doesn’t matter if it is. I don’t want him thinking I’m a loser. I already bumped his truck when I parked.”

“You didn’t.”

She nodded.

“So that explains why the two of you were out there so long.”

Sue ignored that last statement, not wanting to go into any more details at the moment. Instead she turned to the question that had been eating at her since she pulled up. “I thought you invited me here for dinner.”

“I did.
And we’ll eat as soon as each lock and key is paired up.”

“But—”

“No buts. Go mingle.”

Sue
watched her sister sashay away from her like a butterfly. Dejected, she walked back into the living room. She looked for a place to sit, but saw the room had been emptied of the typical living room furnishings and replaced with several small round tables with two chairs. Each was draped with a table cloth and a small floral arrangement was placed in the center to create an intimate setting. Great. Dinner for two. She just prayed her lock did not match Alex’s key, especially after what Kimberly said.

Alex
watched Sue rush her sister away from him. He didn’t blame her after what Kimberly had said. But it was good to know the girl was unattached. She was cute and he had a feeling that fender bender wasn’t because she didn’t brake in time. The girl had been distracted by something she saw and he had a feeling it was him, but he didn’t want to be conceited.

He s
urveyed the room and it looked like the pairing had already happened whether the key had been tested or not. He walked up to two couples which included a poker buddy of his, Parker Jennings. The young women giggled when he introduced himself.

“
Our locks have already been opened,” the red head said. “Sorry.”

“You know what they say, Jones. The early bird gets the worm.” Parker
slapped him on the back and laughed. “So how long were you in Alaska?”

Alex grinned. “Three years. I just got back last night and got moved back into my place today.”

“Sweet. Maybe we can resume our poker nights. You still on Cedar?”

“Yeah. I’m back
in my old house, but not sure if I’ll be holding those or not. I got out of the habit while up north.” He smiled and looked at the girls. “Nice to have met you.”

“
You too,” the red head said.

He walked toward another group of six and saw
his friend Brandon who shook his head and pointed to the blond sitting alone at a table. It was Sue. She looked upset as he approached. “We meet again.”

“Yeah.
”

“
If you’re worried by what your sister said, don’t be. I have a sister too and she’s embarrassed me plenty. I figure it goes with the territory of family.”

“
It’s not just that. It’s this whole lock and key thing. Don’t you find it a little ridiculous?”

He
nodded. “Maybe, but as an ice breaker it works okay. Mind if I give your lock a try?”

She rolled her eyes and stood up, holding out her lock.
She sighed and shook her head. “Might as well.”

He took hold of it, brushing his fingers against hers. She flinched, moving her fingers away. “Sorry.”

“Just do it already,” Sue said.

He
r tone caused him to hesitate a moment and he wondered if she didn’t like him before he slipped the key into the lock and it turned. “Well, what do you know?”

“I think this was rigged.
” Sue looked up at him. Her blue eyes shadowed by thick lashes. Her cheeks were rosy, matching her inviting lips. She made a delectable package but her attitude made him not want to spend any more time with her than was necessary.

“
Last two people here and our lock and key fits.” She rattled on. “Seems fishy to me.”

“Maybe.
” He shrugged. “Maybe not.”

“I wouldn’t put this past my sister.”

“So what? Will it be so bad to eat dinner together and talk?” He was finding it hard not to be annoyed with her and walk out, but he couldn’t do that to Phil. “It’s not like we’re going to fall head over heels for each other in one night.”

Sue made a horrible face and reached up to clutch the necklace she wore.

The gris-gris chilled her fingers to a burning coldness and she jerked her hand away. Alex noticed her sudden movement and he pointed at the charm.

“Interesting necklace. I don’t think I’ve seen one like that before.”

“No. You wouldn’t. A friend of my boss gave it to me. It’s pretty unique. I doubt there is another one like it.” She sighed and sat down again. “So tell me about yourself, Alex. Have you always lived in K-town?”

“Born and raised except for the last three years. I just got transferred back. What about you?”

“Same here, except I’ve never been transferred because of my job. What do you do?”

“I’m
an environmental engineer.”

“Sounds fascinating.”
She motioned to the vacant chair on the opposite side of the table and he sat.

“It can be. I’ve traveled extensively with my job so I’ve seen a lot of the world that I would otherwise not have had the opportunity to see.
What do you do?”

“Nothing as exciting. I’m an administrative assistant to an account executive.”

“What kind of accounts?”

She was about to
answer his question when Phil entered the room and joined Kimberly in the center space. He held up a crystal glass and tapped it with a fork to get everyone’s attention.

“Kimberly and I are thrilled you have joined us tonight. We hope you have enjoyed playing ou
r little game and have met someone interesting to share your meal. That being said the food is ready and you can go through a buffet line in the kitchen to prepare your plates. Enjoy your meal.”

Alex stood. “I don’t know about you, but I’m star
ved. I’ve been moving my things out of storage and back into my house all day today.”

“My boss moved today too.
How odd is that?” she told him as they got in line. “You said you have an older sister. Are you close?”

“Yeah. Our parents are both gone so it’s just
us. She’s married and expecting her first baby soon.”