Page 17 of Bewitched By the Siren
“Great,” I say before she can backpedal. “Then it’s settled.”
“I…uh…should probably get back,” she says, and I fight to keep my expression neutral and not show her the disappointment I feel.
“Thanks for joining me,” I say. “This was fun.”
She nods in response, reaches over to pluck a leftover burrito from the basket before picking up what’s left of the one she’s been eating, then stands and slips her flip-flops back on. Giving me a little wave, she spins and walks away as fast as the thick blanket of sand will allow.
She’s still a little skittish when it comes to me, but she did agree to go to the festival with me in a week and a half. Progress. She’s not completely opposed to spending time with me in the future. My lips curve up into a wide smile.
I call that a win.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Hali
What in thehell did I just do? Did I really agree to be Brendan’s tour guide? To go to the Shrimp and Grits Festival with him next weekend?
“Mom, I’m back,” I call out as I walk into the house and kick off my sandals.
“Did you bring me a burrito?” she asks, and I grin as I walk into her room, waggling it in front of me. “Oh, bless you. Bless you.”
She’s being dramatic, like she hasn’t eaten in a week and the burrito in my hand is the only thing that can save her. I roll my eyes as I hand it over, my lips curled up into a smile.
“So, how was it?” she asks as she works to unwrap the foil.
“It was…nice.”
“Nice?” she asks, frowning. “Just nice?”
I plop down into the chair with a groan. “Fine. It was fun, okay? He’s a really nice guy, and I like talking to him.”
“When are you going to see him again?”
“Mom.”
“What?” she asks, narrowing her eyes at my impatient tone. “Is it so bad I want to see my only daughter happy?”
“He only wants to hang out with me so he can find an opening to get me to sign with his agency.”
“Is that what you think?” she asks, arching a brow before taking her first bite of the burrito. Then with a full mouth, she groans. “Jesus, this is good.”
“I know, right?” I say, grinning. “I had the same reaction with my first bite.”
Unwrapping the remnants of my own burrito, I take a bite and savor the flavors that burst on my tongue. Brendan is proving to be an amazing cook.
“So, let me see if I have this right,” she says once she chews and swallows. “This guy…Brendan? Yes. Brendan is nice, you have fun with him, he can cook, he’s good looking––”
“I never said he was good looking,” I cut in, and when she just stares at me, I sigh. “Fine. He’s hot. Like,reallyhot.”
“So spend sometimewith him, Hals. Regardless of his motives––which I don’t think you’re completely right about, by the way––you deserve to have a little fun. And in the end, if you don’t want to sign, don’t sign. At least you’ll have had a good time while it lasted. That’s what life is all about, honey.”
She’d be right if she were talking to anyone else. But me? I’ve never been able to get close to anyone for fear they’d find out my secret. I spend time with my band only when we’re rehearsing. I don’t have any girlfriends. I maintain the barest relationship with people at the turtle center. It’s always just been me and Mom. I can’t risk anything else. And Mom knows that.
Hell, Brendan caught me staring at the ocean and suggested a swim, and I nearly had a heart attack. I’ve watched enough couples frolicking on this beach to know guys think it’s cute and hilarious to carry their girls into the water and toss them in. What if Brendan decided to do that to me? I could stop him, ofcourse. I would simply take off my necklace and order him to put me down. And he’d have no choice but to comply.
But I already used my siren song against him once, and that was risky enough. If I did it again, he’d have questions about why he can’t resist my commands. Questions Ican’tanswer.
“I see your wheels spinning, Hali. Stop overthinking it. I want you tolive. To build a life that doesn’t completely revolve around taking care of me.”
