Page 12 of Spellbound & Speechless
Even using my notepad doesn’t help. I may be decent at sketching, but my writing is illegible.
My shift ends, and I knock on the door of the office, poking my head in.
“Wait for me to invite you in next time,” Juniper says. “I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I have a partner now. We could have been busy.”
Busy. That’s one way to put it.
“Way to brag.” I grin. “Hot partner, successful business… you have it all, don’t you?”
She stares flatly, but I know she’s laughing on the inside. “Just come in.”
Our conversation will be short.
I linger near the closed door. “I think?—”
Juniper hardly pays me any attention, clicking away at her laptop as she says, “You’re not quitting.”
“What?” My eyes widen. “How did you know?”
“Because I know you. I knowallof you.”
I glare. “I didn’t quit my last job, if that’s what you’re assuming.”
Well, I sort of did, but it wasn’t like this. The brand was unethical. I wouldn’t have stuck around if they begged.
“I know you didn’t.” Juniper’s expression softens. “And I know you’re a hard worker when you care about something. I don’t expect you to put the same effort into this job.”
“I’m trying to!”
“I can see that. That’s why I want you to stay.” She shuts her laptop. “It’s your first night. Give it a week before you do anything rash.”
My shoulders slump. “Why should I? I’m ruining your business?—”
“You’re not. One bad server can’t ruin what I’ve built—and I’m offended you think otherwise.”
“Fine, but I’m definitely nothelping.”
“Who cares? Let your family helpyou, Aspen. When is the last time you let us help?”
Never. All I ever wanted was to grow up and be on my own. I loved my family and still do, but I wanted to be myself…bymyself. Being a Hawthorne witch comes with too much pressure, and I’m just a silly love witch. I can’t be like my mother, the jack-of-all-trades. I can’t be like Juniper, an expert potion maker. Rowan’s ancient magic goes completely over my head. Where do I fit in here?
When we lost Mom, that desire to flee became more than a want—it was aneed. It showed me what loss was and taught me that I never wanted to experience it again.
My loss should have done the opposite, taught me to keep my loved ones closer, but I couldn’t. I still can’t. Even now, I’m itchy at the idea of letting Juniper help. How many of my mistakes tonight were self-sabotage, all to get away from her?
I want to find my way in Starbrook, but I still want to do it alone.
Juniper looks at me with her piercing eyes, and I have the strangest feeling she knows the answers better than I do.
“I’ll try,” I murmur, the words coming through a tight throat. “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize.” She leans in. “Change. Grow.”
“I don’t know how to do that.” Flowers need light to grow, and I’m lost in the dark.
“Last year, I was in your shoes. I lost my job, and I had no clue what I wanted to do next.”
“That’s how you came up with the bar?”
