Page 39 of With This Witch
Petra blushes, unsure of when she last had something so positive said about her. She’s always seen herself as someone willing to help others and would do whatever she can. But she’s never seen herself as anyone extraordinary.
“Okay, but why help me? Why not let me find some other sucker or leave me to my own devices to find a loophole in Grog’s plan? You offered yourself so quickly and without hesitation.”
Lachlan laughs, leaning back into his chair and crossing his arms across his chest.Goddess, save me from those forearms.
“First, no one who marries you would be a sucker. You are the smartest, most beautiful woman I know. You got sucked into a shitty position by a council member with ulterior motives, and I can’t stand by and let that happen. You being linked to me will say a lot in our community. Second, you’re my friend, and I am nothing if not loyal. Third, I would steal the moon for you, Petra.”
Petra’s eyes go wide. She’s pretty sure he just confessed to something more profound than friendship. She pushes her plate away, giving herself a moment to gather her thoughts and to control the hum of her magic flowing through her as it responds to Lachlan’s words. She feels him grasp her hand in his, running his thumb against hers, scorching her skin with his touch.
“Lastly, Petra, you are worth it. Whatever comes of this, of us, of the council decision, you are worth every second of it,” he says softly, looking deep into her soul as he does.
Witches’ tits.
After brunch, Lachlan has to go to the Acorn, so Petra spends most of the afternoon reading in Lachlan’s home library, which is something else she learned about him since moving in—that he’s a big enough reader to have a home library. Seriously, who is this man?
The circular room was likely once a conservatory, boasting lots of natural light through the large windows that look out onto the pool deck and lawn. It’s a space filled with built-in dark wood shelves and flooring, soft contrasting couches, and oversized chairs to lounge in. Books of every genre, new and old, line the shelves. Upon finding an intriguing-looking thriller featuring a serial killer making their way through a busy city, she plops into one of the oversized chaises. She remains there for the next few hours, losing herself in the tale and mystery. She is so engrossed that she doesn’t even notice when Daisy arrives. She also doesn’t see Daisy choose a book and stretch out on the couch nearby. It isn’t until Petra puts her book down to get a drink that she sees Daisy out of the corner of her eye and screams.
“Goddesses’ gonads!” Petra exclaims, slapping her hand against her chest. “When did you get here?”
Daisy falls into a fit of laughter. In between wheezes, Daisy says, “Did you… just say…‘goddesses’ gonads’?”
“Yes. Because you scared the crap out of me,” Petra responds, now laughing at Daisy and herself.
“Oh, my goddess. You are the best,” Daisy says, wiping away tears. She picks up her phone, wakes it up, and continues, “Anyway, I got here about an hour ago. You were in such a trance you didn’t even respond when I called your name and waved my hand in front of your face. So I grabbed a book and joined you.”
Shaking her head, Petra chuckles at herself.
“How are things going between you and the Lach-ness-monster?” Daisy asks, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
Petra sits back in her chair, running her hands over her face, deciding how much to divulge.
“Good. It’s taken a while, but I’ve settled in and feel more at home. We had a movie night last night and watchedHook…”
“A classic, of course,” Daisy cuts in.
“Of course,” Petra agrees, smiling at her friend. “And we may have made out a little during the movie.”
“I knew it!” Daisy shouts, waving her arms in front of her and pointing her fingers excitedly at Petra. “Goddess save me, but I knew there was something between you two. I mean, Lach wouldn’t agree to marry you if he didn’t have feelings for you.”
“There’s nothing between us,” Petra insists.
“Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that.”
Petra continues to deny that there are real feelings between them, but Daisy refuses to believe her. While Petra and Lachlan shared a nice moment this morning, she can’t let herself get her hopes up and can’t allow herself to explore what could be there. She knows a tough road lies ahead of her with losing Gammy, claiming Premier Witch, and whatever comes with that. Gammy has led a very solitary life, with council being her priority, and Petra expects she will need to do the same. So, no, nothing is going on between them. It was a one-time thing, and it won’t happen again.They just had to get it out of their systems.
“What time is it, anyway?” Petra asks, pulling herself out of her thoughts.
Daisy looks at her phone again. “Just after four, why?”
“Wanna go for some afternoon cocktails?”
“Ab-so-fucking-lutely.”
“Great. Let me go and change quickly, and then we can head out.”
“Sounds good. I’ll meet you out front. Oh, and Petra?”
“Yes?”
