Page 6 of Oohs, Ahhhs, and Orbs

I felt my cheeks flame. My movements felt jerky as I snatched another pen from the cup and reached for another disinfectant wipe. “I don’t even know him.”

Her tone was soft and gentle, an attempt at soothing me as she watched my every movement. “But you want to. I know you’re scared, Bridge. After what happened with your grandmother and then losing your father, you don’t want a fated mate. I understand, and I love you. It’s because I love you and want to see you happy that I’m going to tell you to get over your shit.”

I jerked my head up and stared at my best friend in shock. With wide eyes and my mouth hanging open, I spluttered, unable to form a coherent sentence. Finally, I firmed my chin,lifting it in my best impression of a haughty queen. “I beg your finest pardon.”

Shayla sighed. “Sweetie, your sperm donor sucked ass, okay? He was a grade-A douchebag, but if I remember right, your mom said she couldn’t be certain if he was her fated mate because she wasn’t a witch. She fell in love with him on sight, but that isn’t exclusive to fated mates. Ordinary people everywhere fall into love—or lust—at first sight, all the time. Sometimes their relationships work, sometimes they don’t.”

I could feel another tear tracking down my cheek as I took in her words. “The women in my family are cursed, Shay. I don’t want to feel that betrayal. I’ve seen the sadness in their eyes when they talk about the men they lost. They would rather be alone for the rest of their lives than take another chance on a man. I decided long ago that I would skip the heartache and never allow my mate into my life to begin with.”

“I know you did, Bridge. But excuse me when I say this with all the love in my heart for you. You can be hard-headed, stubborn, and hold a grudge. I’m not saying those are all bad things; Karma knows we all love a good grudge, but, my friend, you could also be missing out on the best thing that ever happened to you. You won’t ever know until you put yourself out there andtry.”

I sniffed again, half in indignation, half in resignation. “I’m not stubborn.”

Shayla just looked at me, exasperation written all over her gorgeous features. “You went on a hunger strike for three days when your mom wouldn’t let you dye your hair black.”

I waved my hand dismissively. “I was a kid.”

“Honey, you were seventeen. That was only five years ago. When she finally gave in, you hated the color because it washed you out, making you look like a corpse. It’s a good thing she only bought you the temporary dye.”

I tilted my chin up. “My hair, my choice.”

“True, but sometimes you have to weigh the advice you’re given before putting your foot down and making a decision that could potentially cause you harm. Bridge, I want to see you happy. Maybe you’re right, and this fated mate will break your heart and leave you lonely for the rest of your life. But you’ve already decided to be lonely. Would it really be so bad if you had a short time of bliss? And what if thereisno curse and that bliss turns into seventy years? You believe in the Fates and Karma and the Goddess. Shouldn’t you give Her a chance that she has something wonderful planned for you?”

My chin dropped to my chest as I took in her words. It was the worst thing to throw away a gift from the Goddess. Even as I thought it, my heart sped up at the thought of giving in and seeing if the detective truly was my fated mate.

“What’s his name?” Shayla asked quietly. I closed my eyes and reached into my apron pocket to withdraw the card. I knew she would immediately see the wear on the card and know how often I’d handled it throughout the day. I placed it softly down on the glass and then slid it over with one finger. A low whistle came from my best friend. “Logan Storm. Wow. Even his name sounds hot.” Yeah, it did. I let out a groan.

“So what’s going on? Are you supposed to call him for something?” She let out a gasp and leaned forward, her eyes bright. “Are you a suspect?”

I laughed and shook my head. “No. But he asked me if I could help him understand rituals and ceremonies. He said he couldn’t tell me anything about the case, but there are things he doesn’t know about witchcraft and needs expert help.”

“So are you supposed to call him?”

I took the card back and flipped it over, showing her where he’d written his personal number on the back. “He told me tocall him tonight after I close the shop and we would have dinner while we talked.”

Shayla’s gasp was loud and dramatic. “You have a date with your fated mate! Why didn’t you lead with that?” she demanded.

I shook my head. “It’s not a date. It’s dinner to discuss witchy things.”

“And he couldn’t have asked his questions here, in the store, during business hours?” She gave me anare you that denselook. “Girl.”

“Look, I agreed to help him. But I don’t think I can go further than that. Not right now. Maybe never. I don’t even know if he has a girlfriend or a wife already. Maybe he has a string of girlfriends, or,” I wrinkled my nose, “one night stands. After I get to know him, I’ll think about the future and if I want to give him a chance.” I gave Shayla an imploring look, one that I hoped masked some of my fear. “Please, just let it go. For now.”

With a huff, Shayla finally conceded, nodding her head before giving me a bright smile. “Okay, I’ll stop pushing on one condition.”

I eyed her warily. As stubborn as she claimed I was, my best friend was just as bad, if not worse, than I was when it came to digging in her heels. It was why she was going to be a great lawyer. She wouldn’t quit until she won. “What’s that?”

“If you get too far into your head and start running scared, you talk to me. Or better yet—him. You are smart, brave, beautiful, and a badass witch. You don’t run.Ever. Hear me?”

I swallowed hard at her words, knowing that it was going to be a hard promise to make. I’d done nothing but run scared since I was old enough to understand what fated mates were and how they had hurt the women in my life. I closed my eyes while taking in a deep breath. When I opened them again, it was to see Shayla with an understanding expression but determined eyes. I nodded.

“Okay. I’ll talk it out first before running.”

She gripped my hand in hers, giving it a tight squeeze, letting me know she was with me in this. “Good. Though you do have questionable taste in art.”

I laughed, the comment breaking the tension, allowing me to relax my shoulders. “You know you secretly love Mildred.”

“Hell no. She’s a fucking menace. Though I do like Frank.” We both looked up at the corner where the crow statue was perched near the ceiling on a shelf made just for him. He watched over the store and always let me know when the others got into too much mayhem. He’d been a fixture since Grandmother opened the shop years ago and was the unofficial mascot of Oohs, Ahhhs, and Orbs.

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