Page 34 of Paws and Claws

"And nothing. He's just..." Tabitha struggled for words that wouldn't betray her growing attraction. "He's Dominic freaking Blackmane."

"Who happens to be gorgeous," Luna added. "And single."

"And totally not my type." The dart hit the wall instead of the board. "I like wild and fun guys, remember? Not uptight sheriffs who probably color code their closets."

But even as she said it, she remembered how he'd loosened up at the bar, how his smile had made her stomach flip. How safe she'd felt with her arms around his waist on her motorcycle.

"Whatever you say, honey." Mira patted her shoulder. "But your magic only acts up like this when you're lying to yourself."

Tabitha looked up at the lights, which were indeed dancing in time with her heartbeat. "I hate you both."

The door of The Hex swung open, bringing in a gust of summer air and Riley Chen, another witch from Tabitha's social circle.

"You guys won't believe what I did!" Riley bounced over, her silver-streaked black hair dancing with static electricity. "I enchanted all the stop signs on Oak Street to spin in circles. You should have seen the looks on people's faces!"

Luna and Mira laughed, but Tabitha's smile felt forced. Her mind drifted to Fred's account of the three-car pileup. She threw another dart, letting her magic guide it perfectly to the center.

"And then," Riley continued, stealing Mira's drink, "I made the crosswalk signals play disco music instead of beeping. Total chaos!"

"Classic," Luna high-fived her. "Remember when Tabs here made all the parking meters dance the macarena?"

Tabitha's wild magic flickered uneasily. That had been three months ago, before she'd seen real destruction up close. Before she'd watched Dominic work tirelessly to keep people safe from actual threats.

"Earth to Tabitha?" Riley waved a hand in front of her face. "You're usually the first one planning the next prank. What gives?"

"Just tired," Tabitha lied, collecting her darts. The weight of them felt different now, like everything else did since working with Dominic. "Artist's block and all that."

"Well, I've got plans to turn the fountain in Town Square into a bubble bath tomorrow. You in?"

A month ago, Tabitha would've jumped at the chance. Now all she could think about was how someone might slip and fall, how emergency services would have to waste time cleaning it up, how Dominic would?—

She stopped that train of thought. When had she started measuring her actions against what the sheriff would think?

"I'll pass," Tabitha said, surprising herself. "Got a project to work on."

Riley pouted. "Since when do you turn down fun for work?"

Since she'd seen what real danger looked like. Since she'd realized there was a difference between harmless rebellion and thoughtless chaos. Since a certain green-eyed sheriff had shown her what it meant to protect people instead of just amusing herself at their expense.

Before long, Riley swayed on her barstool, her fifth cocktail sloshing dangerously. "You know who I really can't stand? That stuck-up Sheriff Blackmane."

Tabitha's wild magic sizzled beneath her skin. She focused on her pool game, trying to ignore the sudden defensiveness rising in her chest.

"He's always strutting around like he owns the place," Riley continued, her words slurring. "Acting like he's better than everyone else with his perfect posture and his perfect uniform."

"He's just doing his job," Tabitha said, her pool shot missing wide left.

"His job?" Riley snorted. "His job is being an uptight asshole. I bet he sleeps in that uniform. Probably irons his underwear too."

Luna and Mira exchanged worried glances as Tabitha's magic made her hair float slightly.

"You don't know him," Tabitha said quietly, surprising herself with how steady her voice remained. "He's actually pretty decent when you get to know him."

"Oh please." Riley's laugh turned nasty. "He's nothing but a power-tripping lion with a badge. Probably compensating for something. I heard he lives alone because no woman can stand being around such a control freak."

Tabitha's next pool shot hit with such force that the ball flew off the table. She thought of Dominic's rare smile, how his eyes crinkled at the corners when he actually relaxed. How he'd trusted her judgment about the investigation despite their history.

"That's enough, Riley."

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