Page 21 of Spellbound & Speechless
It can’t be sex. I would let him use me forthat, but he’s disinterested. Whatever. It’s all for the best, but it’s left a needy, empty hole in… well, not in my chest, but somewhere between my thighs, probably.
Like most men, he’s better in my dreams than in reality.
“He’s into you,” she says. “I saw him admiring you at the bar, like, days ago.”
“That was nothing. He was bored. He’s just aman.”
“You’re so right. Forget him.” The shining look in her eye doesn’t match her words. “What kind of dream was it?”
I turn my attention to the little bottles, carefully pouring more sparkling potion into one. “You know what kind. I wouldn’t act this way if I had a dream about… I don’t know… my teeth transforming into clouds and floating out of my mouth.”
“Have you dreamed of that before?”
“Yes. Is that weird? Gods, there is something wrong with my dreams.”
“No! There’s nothing wrong.” A playful smile dances on Laurel’s lips. “So, it was a sex dream?”
“Yes, Laurel! Must I spell everything out for you?”
“It’s more fun that way, but I won’t press for details.”
“Thank you.”
We continue to work in silence, but that only lasts for a few moments.
“Look, I know I said I wouldn’t press for details, but…” She’s holding a deck of tarot cards. When did she get those?
I’ve only been home for a week, but it didn’t take long to realize my little sister has become quite the tarot reader. She has her corner of the bar where she does her readings, and her customers always leave with an expression of shock and awe. I know what she’s getting at before she says it aloud.
“No.” I hesitate, giggling. “Unless… should we?”
“I think we should.”
“Are you just trying to take my money?”
She scoffs. “What money? You’re broke. I’m offering afree reading. That doesn’t happen every day, you know.”
I put the stopper on the bottle. “What kind of reading would we even do for this?”
“A simple three-card potential love spread. I do this one all the time.” She shuffles the deck with ease and confidence. I haven’t agreed to the reading yet, but Laurel doesn’t seem to care. “What you want, what they want, and what your future may hold.”
I bite the inside of my cheek. “What if I don’twantanything?”
“Then the cards will show that, and you can move on. Easy.”
It would be a lie to say I don’t want love. The question is, do I want it with him? It’s not as if I know Mac at all. He’s a stranger. Perhaps the mystery makes him attractive, but that’s not enough to build a stable relationship.
Laurel may be right. I need clarity, and the guidance from the cards can offer that.
My resolve breaks in a second. I move to the other side of the bar, settling on a stool like I’ve seen her clients do. “Fine. Just three cards.”
“That’s all we need.”
“I can’t believe we’re doing this.” I straighten up. “You lead the way.”
“Relax. Breathe. Focus on him—and how he makes you feel.” Laurel inhales slowly and closes her eyes while shuffling the deck. “Tell me when to stop.”
How he makes me feel. He shouldn’t make me feel anything. The sparkle hidden behind his grumpy gaze shouldn’t elicit curiosity. My heart shouldn’t race whenever I slip past him, close enough for our shoulders to brush. Feeling him watch me, always watching, shouldn’t make me feel so safe…
