Page 22 of Spellbound & Speechless
But it does.Hemakes me feel too much. Everything. Nothing.
I’ve done enough tarot readings myself to know how it works. We were all taught by the same woman, after all. Our mom was one of the best witches around, or so I would say, and most witches can do one or two forms of divination. We usually have an area of focus, but Mom could do everything.
Mac’s appearance makes me question more than the future of my love life and my apparent poor taste—because really,wholikes someone who won’t give them the time of day? That could never be me. It’s not supposed to be me.
But there’s more. Was my mother’s strength her downfall? Did she know something we don’t? Did she really have a weapon hidden somewhere in the shop?
The ruffling of the cards grows louder. Louder.
“Stop!” The words fall from my mouth before I think of them. My instincts know the deck is ready for me, for us, and for the three cards that will dictate the future.
I gulp.
Laurel sets the deck on the table and cuts it into three piles. With a flourish, she picks the card from pile number one.
“This is what you want.” She sets it face down. “What he wants… and…” She picks up the last card. “Your future.”
Three cards lie before me, all face down. It’s a silly reading with my baby sister, just for fun. That’s what I tell myself to take the weight of the situation off, but it doesn’tfeelridiculous. There’s something deeply serious about this topic, this situation, and this infuriatingly mysteriousman.
Love has always been easy for me. It’sentertainment, an offering for my goddess, and an essential part of my life. Aphrodite wouldn’t want me to struggle.
Despite not knowing if there is love between us at all, it feels heavier than I’m used to. It’s not like a burden, but a trophy. Is that what love is?
“This is what you want.” Laurel flips over the first card. Six of Pentacles, a man holding scales and feeding those in need. “What he wants.” Knight of Wands, a man on a horse. “And your future.”
The fool—someone about to jump off a cliff to begin their destiny. Or not. They could just fall.
I cringe but say nothing.
Laurel tilts her head. “This is more complicated than Juniper’s was.”
“Is it?” I twirl my hair around my finger. “Like, complicated bad or complicated good?”
“I don’t know. I think it shows that you both have other things going on. For you, the six of pentacles is about balancing your finances and finding generosity. You’re more focused on work.”
I laugh lightly. “Am I?”
She shrugs. “Maybe youshouldbe. Or not. Were you dating in New York?”
“Not seriously. I didn’t have time, and believe it or not, suitable partners were just as hard to find when more people were around.”
“Makes sense. There it is. It’s about balancing your time and seeing where losing your job could have been good. Now, you have more time for love, and you can learn to be generous with your energy.” She wiggles her brows. “And to be a generous lover.”
“A generous lover?” My jaw drops. “That’shisjob, not mine!”
Laurel cackles. “Fine—just be generous with your time. He’s made moves on you.”
I shake my head. “No, he didn’t! When?”
“When he bought you a drink. Hello?”
“Oh.” My shoulders slump. “Right. Forgot about that.”
It was only a few days ago, but it feels like more time has passed.
“Can you say the same?” Laurel crosses her arms. “Haveyoumade a move on him?”
I hold my head higher. “No, and I won’t be making any moves. The only times I tried to speak with him, he wasn’t interested.”
