That Old Black Magic Read Online Free PDF Page B

shop, her cell phone rang. She glanced at the iPhone screen. With hopeful anticipation she answered immediately.
    â€œHey, Gabe! How are you?”
    â€œFine, kiddo, fine. You got down there all right?”
    â€œYep. This place is pretty awesome, Gabe.”
    â€œGood. Let me tell you what’s going on. I think you’re gonna like it.”
    Gabe was not a chatterer. Piper knew that time was money as far as he was concerned. When Gabriel Leonard called, it was because there was the possibility of doing some business.
    â€œI’ve set up an appointment with a local casting director down there. It’s great for you to get a meeting in. Tomorrow at one o’clock.”
    Piper’s mind raced. Smack in the middle of her first day working at Boulangerie Bertrand. How was she going to get up and go without leaving a bad impression on Bertrand and Marguerite?
    â€œPiper?”
    â€œYeah, I’m here, Gabe. Do you think you could change the appointment until late afternoon—say, around five?”
    â€œAre you kidding? It wasn’t easy getting this one for you.” Gabe started speaking even faster than he usually did. “Listen, Piper. These people are casting Named, the new Channing Tatum thriller. Apparently the girl who had the small role that opens the movie had to drop out. They don’t want any of the other girls who read before, so they’re setting up a new session. It’s shooting Saturday, so they’re moving fast. They’ll be on location at some big St. Patrick’s parade they have down there. They’ll have a helluva time with sound issues, so we’re definitely talking a day of dialogue dubbing with you in post.
    â€œAnd to top it all off,” Gabe continued, “the role you’re reading for is opposite Tatum. It’ll do wonders for your reel. So do you actually think you want to ask them to change your audition slot?”
    Piper immediately agreed. While she was eager to do well with Bertrand at his bakery, acting was her priority. And this could be big. Huge.
    She’d make it work.

Chapter 12
    A s she walked slowly back toward her apartment, Piper stopped to admire the vintage charm bracelets and watches in a jewelry-store window.
    She wandered into a gift shop filled with souvenirs of the city. Miniature Mississippi River paddleboats and plantation homes lined the shelves, along with hats, T-shirts, key chains, shot glasses, plates, and magnets. Piper purchased a couple of postcards to send to her parents and Jack.
    Next door a haberdasher’s shop displayed wide-brimmed, cream-colored hats designed to ward off the blazing southern sun. Piper wondered if Jack would wear something like that. She didn’t think so.
    Spotting a large blue sign with a yellow palm painted in the center affixed to a storefront across the street, Piper went to get a closer look. The sign listed the services offered: tarot-card, crystal-ball, and palm readings. Oils, brews, charms, incense, and candles were also for sale.
    Piper took a deep breath as she pulled open the door.
    Thick damask curtains draped the front window, preventing daylight from entering the space. It took a couple of seconds for Piper’s eyes to adjust to the dimness. Then she saw the large figure sitting at a candlelit table in the corner. A heavyset woman dressed in a flowing purple caftan was staring intently at Piper.
    â€œHi,” said Piper, feeling vaguely uncomfortable. “I’d like to have a reading.”
    The woman nodded but said nothing. She raised her hand and pointed to the chair across the table. As Piper walked toward the seat, the woman’s eyes followed her.
    â€œWhat kind of reading do you want?” asked the woman.
    Piper shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know. I’ve never done this before. What do you suggest?”
    The woman’s eye twitched as she continued staring at Piper. While considering her client, the woman rubbed a