Page 55 of Bewitchingly Hers
It was the first time in days that I hadn’t had his arms around me, sharing a good morning kiss before we started the day, and I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed in waking up to cold sheets.
I also couldn’t help but feel like this was all too good to be true. I didn’t want to let myself hope, to even dare to wish for more. After all, everything could change in the blink of an eye. Still, his words last night felt so sincere. Like he meant every single one of them.
This doesn’t feel casual to me.
I like you.
No matter what else is happening out there, this, in here—this is us.
But that didn’t change the fact that this was only temporary. That eventually, he would leave. With his job, how could he not? Plus, his home base was back in Walnut Ridge—with his family. Could I sacrifice myself, the town I loved, if he asked?
I wasn’t sure I could.
Which was the real problem. I wanted to ask him to stay, but how could I, when I wasn’t even willing to go?
I leaned on my broom, surveying the empty shop. Soon, everyone would be pouring in for their morning coffee and pastry. Then, I’d be busy enough that I wouldn’t have time to think about Barrett Lockwood or the way he’d come into my life like a tornado, dismantling the walls I had built before I’d even known it.
“What am I going to do?” I asked the silence.
I’d always done my best thinking alone. Maybe it was because I’d been an only child, because my parents had raised me to be so independent, or because I’d never truly felt like I fit in growing up. Even in a town of witches, there’d always been something different about me.
Maybe because some part of me had always been waiting forhim.
I shook my head, storing my broom and fidgeting with my dress.
“Get your head on straight, Eryne,”I muttered to myself. I had more important things to do today. I needed to order inventory for the rest of the month, including the delivery that would take place Halloween week. I had our numbers from last year, but forecasting was always tricky. Still, I knew what our best sellers were, and the last few weeks of October wouldrequire double the amount of pumpkin extract and canned pumpkin.
Even though I wasn’t our baker, I couldn’t help but miss Luna during moments like these. She had a way around the kitchen, and everyone was obsessed with her baked goods. But I couldn’t fault her when she was so happy, raising twins with her husband and mate, not to mention living in a palaceand being a literal queen.
I’d always imagined being a mom one day, having a big family full of love and laughter. That dream had always felt so far out of reach, until suddenly… it didn’t. My mother was constantly hounding me, asking when I was going to settle down. Was it too early to hope that maybe Barrett might be the one?
My phone buzzed, and I grabbed it, reading the texts from my coven.
Cait
Tomorrow’s the full moon. Everyone ready?
Willow
Yes.
Cait
Not you.
Willow
I might not be able to help, but I’ll still be there if you need me.
Besides, a baby isn’t going to keep me away from my girls.
Wendy
All ready here. Grandma got wind of what we’re doing, and she found another old box of journals. Bringing it over now, Cait.
Rina
Does anyone feel this like… crazy rush whenever they think about what we’re about to do?
