Page 27 of Magic & Matchmaking
I didn’t understand why the tea shop wasn’t responding to thisrelationship between me and Riven. It should’ve been working by now. Especially after Riven had his tongue down my throat last night. Layla wasn’t here today, and we were in the slow part of the afternoon, only a few patrons sitting at the tables, so I had time to come up with a few protection spells. Except my wand wasn’t working. Probably because I was distracted.
I’d tossed and turned all night thinking about Layla’s words, and I’d decided that tonight I would tell Riven the truth. I’d tell him about my feelings for him. The thought made me giddy and nauseous all at the same time. I didn’t know how he’d respond, but I also knew that if I didn’t tell him, I’d regret it. Especially after that kiss. I wanted his lips on mine again.
“Why are you touching your lips so much today?” Herman asked, peeking one fuchsia eye open.
I didn’t realize I had been. I quickly dropped my hand down to the counter.
“I thought you were napping,” I said with a raised brow. “But if you’re up, a few tables could use cleaning.”
He quickly closed his eyes again, and I smiled.
The door opened, and Althea walked in. She looked around expectantly, then her face fell. “Can I help you?” I asked. “We have a special today.” I pointed to the wooden board propped against the wall, with the special written in a light pink cursive, another idea—and spell—that Layla had come up with. “It’s a vanilla caramel with blackberry tea leaves.”
Althea shook her head. “No, I was just looking for Layla. We were supposed to meet this morning at the bakery, but she didn’t come. I was worried.”
I bit my lip, thinking back to my conversation with Layla the previous night. I didn’t know she had plans with Althea. I hope she didn’t stand Althea up because of our conversation. I hadn’t meant she should ignore Althea, just maybe explore other options.
“Oh, well I’m sure Layla must have had a good reason for not coming. She might be under the weather?”
Disappointment filled Althea’s eyes. “Or maybe I talked too much,” she said. “I do that sometimes when I’m nervous. I probably scared her away.”
Now I felt awful. “No,” I said. “I’m sure that’s not the case. Tell you what, when I see Layla again, I’ll let her know you stopped by.”
Hope filled Althea’s eyes. “Really?”
“Of course. How about a cup of tea on the house? I know just the tea for you.”
“Okay.” Althea made her way to a table in the corner. Sunlight dappled across the floorboards, filling the shop with a golden warmth that made everything look otherworldly. It was my favorite time of day here.
I moved behind the counter and touched my wand to a kettle. It floated to a barrel with water and dipped into it. Once it was full, it rose above the barrel, glowing with heat.
I got to work putting together a combination of leaves that would hopefully ease Althea’s anxiety and fill her with some hope. Lemon peels, rose, and blueberry with a dash of honey. Once I finished the tea, I took the tray to Althea myself, setting it on the table. I placed the tin of tea leaves in her porcelain cup, this one decorated with delicate pink roses, then I poured the water in. Purple and blue bloomed into the water, making it a warm red color.
“Enjoy,” I said as I turned and tripped, falling down and banging my knees on the floor. I looked behind me to see a raised floorboard.
“Are you alright?” Althea asked, alarm in her voice.
“I’m fine.” I looked up at the tea shop. “Seriously?” I muttered. I didn’t know what it wanted from me. I was doing everything Morty had said, showing the tea shop I was serious about love, and yet, it still wouldn’t accept me.
Maybe it knew my relationship was fake. Even though that kiss two nights ago had certainly felt real.
“There you go, touching your lips again.” Herman floated over me, offering one of his scaled legs to help me up.
I cleared my throat and accepted his help, coming to a stand.
“Do you need some lip balm?’ he asked, squinting at me. “Your lips do look a little dry.”
I dropped my hand away from my mouth. “No they do not.” I walked back around the counter.
Maybe the shop sensed my nerves. Maybe when its owner wasfrazzled and anxious, it acted out? I’d talk to Morty again soon, get some more insight about how to handle all this.
I had to make this work. I’d only moved across the street, but just that small leap felt so freeing. I couldn’t imagine going back to Arcane Creatures Emporium.
I needed to talk to Riven. I couldn’t delay anymore. It didn’t matter if the shop knew our relationship was fake or if it was responding to my anxiety over that kiss. Either way, the solution lay in talking to Riven and figuring out what was going on between us. After a decade of ignoring these feelings, it was time. I just needed to find him first.
Chapter Fourteen
RIVEN
