Page 11 of Bearly Believable Romance

As they left the restaurant, Bram’s phone buzzed. “Trouble at the brewery,” he grumbled. “Bottles popping their tops. Sounds like a magical mishap.”

“I can help,” Tabitha offered immediately.

At the brewery, Tabitha worked her magic, a calming charm stabilizing the errant energy. Bram watched, impressed and grateful. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d have done without you.”

Tabitha smiled. “That’s what partners are for, right?”

“Right.” Bram found himself smiling back. “Come on, let me show you around.”

He led her through the brewery, sharing his passion for the craft and the family history woven into the business. They ended up at the tasting station, swapping stories over samples of his best brews.

“This is incredible, Bram,” Tabitha praised, sipping a rich stout. “You’re really talented.”

Bram felt a flush of pride. “Thanks. That means a lot.”

As the conversation lulled, Bram hesitated before asking, “Tabitha, I know we haven’t discussed your parents. They didn’t show up for Liza’s wake and you don’t seem very close to them.”

She shrugged. “That’s because I’m not.”

“Is your relationship strained?”

She frowned. “I don’t know if what we have can be defined as a relationship.”

“I don’t understand. They’re your parents. What were they like when you were growing up?”

Tabitha’s smile faltered slightly. “Oh, they were... driven. Very career-oriented. Always jetting off to some magical symposium or another. I was often packed off to magical camps or academies. They wanted me to be the best witch, you see.”

Bram frowned. Despite the polished veneer Tabitha painted, her childhood sounded lonely. “And your grandmother? Why the estrangement?”

Tabitha shrugged, her eyes clouding. “I honestly don’t know. They never talked about her. It’s one of the reasons I’m here, to find out. Liza was my grandmother from my father’s side. He never spoke her name as far as I can remember. At least not in front of me. I heard whispers once in a while but not much. I don’t know what happened between them.”

Bram reached out, covering her hand with his. “We’ll figure it out.”

Tabitha’s smile returned, warm and genuine. “Thank you, Bram. For everything.”

As they prepared to leave, Bram turned to Tabitha. “I’m really glad you’re here, Tabitha. And not just for the magical assist.”

Tabitha’s eyes softened. “Me too, Bram. Me too.”

She left the brewery, her blonde hair flowing in the wind. Bram found himself lost in thought as he closed up the brewery early. His feelings for Tabitha were growing, blurring the lines of their arrangement. What had started as a farce was beginning to feel very real. He might not have wanted a mate, but he had one now. How was he supposed to make her fall for him when she thought everything they did was fake?

Bram sighed, running a hand through his hair. This fake relationship was getting complicated and it had barely started.

SEVEN

Tabitha stirred from sleep, the remnants of a vivid dream featuring her late grandmother still clinging to her mind. As she sat up in bed, a peculiar sensation coursed through her body—a surge of magical energy that felt both exhilarating and unsettling. Tabitha had always prided herself on her ability to control her magic, but this sudden influx of power caught her off guard.

With a cautious step, she made her way to the kitchen, intent on preparing a simple breakfast to start her day. However, as she reached for the utensils, an unexpected twist of magic escaped her fingertips. The spatula and whisk sprung to life, dancing merrily around the kitchen in a whimsical display of enchantment.

“Oh, for the love of...” Tabitha muttered, attempting to regain control over the mischievous kitchenware. She concentrated, visualizing the utensils returning to their rightful places, and with a final flourish of her hand, the spatula and whisk settled back onto the countertop.

Just as she let out a sigh of relief, a knock at the door startled her. Glancing at the clock, she realized it was rather early for visitors. Curiosity piqued, Tabitha made her way to the front door and opened it, revealing none other than Bram.

“Good morning.” Bram offered her a to-go cup. “Vanilla latte.”

“You’re a godsend.”

“I know.” His sexy grin made her laugh. His eyes twinkled with amusement as he took in her slightly disheveled appearance. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

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