Page 12 of Witch Moon

When he spoke again, his voice was much deeper, and a lot softer. "I haven't been able to stop thinking about you all day." He paused. "I know, that sounds like the world's worst pick up line. It wasn't."

"I know."

"Do you?" He cleared his throat uneasily. "Does that mean you feel there might be...something going on here. Between us?"

She closed her eyes, and her stomach knotted up. "There's something, Jonathon."

He sighed as if in relief. "I'm glad it's not just me. If you knew how unlike me this is. I...." He stopped there. "You said you had company. I'll let you go."

"Thanks."

"But I'll call again later on."

She shook her head. "You don't need to."

"Actually, I think I do."

She frowned "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Damned if I know. I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Okay."

"Take it easy. Rest, like the doc said."

"I will. Good-bye, Jonathon."

"Bye."

She hung up the phone, stared at it for a moment, and wondered why her heart was fluttering wildly in her chest. Why the stroke of each tone of his voice against her eardrums had been an erotic experience. Why she was breathless by the time she said good-bye.

She gathered her composure, bit by bit, and finally, lifted her chin, and walked back into the parlor where Rowan waited. "Sorry for the interruption. We can talk now. Please, sit down."

Rowan did, choosing the claw legged chair with the embroidered upholstery and looking like a nervous princess, taking her throne. The girl was nothing less than stunning. And her eyes could stop traffic.

"How's my dad?" she asked.

Mirabella blinked. "You were listening?"

"Only a little. Thanks for not telling him I was here."

"I didn't think he'd approve of you leaving school over an hour early any more than I do. Care to tell me why you did that?"

She shrugged. "I told Principal Hayes I was shaken up and sore from the accident. But really I just wanted to come and see you."

"To make sure I was okay?" Mirabella asked.

Rowan lowered her eyes. "Partly that."

"Well, I'm okay. So we can go on to the other part."

The girl licked her lips, lifted her head slowly, and stabbed Bella's eyes with her own. "Are you a Witch?"

Mirabella lifted her eyebrows and sucked in a breath. It took her a moment to formulate a reply, but she managed to find one. "That's a very personal question, Rowan. Maybe a little bit too personal. May I ask what makes you want to know?"

"Because...you can do things. And I want to know what it means."

Bella waited, but Rowan stopped there. "Well, come on, Rowan. Don't leave me hanging. What kinds of things are you talking about?"

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