Page 4 of Paws for a Minute

Shifts and change were not good in Alana’s experience, and she was already devastated at the thought of losing the only home she had ever known.

A few tourists waved at her and asked about her store and the services she had. It took Alana about two seconds to convince the group of women to go into her shop, beyond the velvet curtain, for a reading. The money she made from readings was hardly enough to make rent, but it kept her in touch with her magic.

If her Nana and mother could see her now, they would probably disown her for the shame she now brought onto the family name. There was no luster to the Wixx name anymore. People didn’t come to Half Moon Key to be read by a famous Wixx witch anymore.

It had everything to do with the damn spell that Alana had to keep alive and tightly wound around the town.

Alana’s clients left quickly after their reading, giggling as they paid and left, promising to return one day soon. Alana didn’t believe them because she had seen more than she let on, but she had learned the hard way that not everyone wanted to know the truth. They only want the good and pretend the bad isn’t possible. Not to them. Not in their lives.

Completely distracted by her inventory task, Alana didn’t hear the little bell of the door ringing out a visitor’s arrival.

“You look a little angry at that book,” Lila said by way of greeting. She pointed toward the counter where the store finances were scribbled neatly.

“It’s not the book I’m mad at,” Alana grumbled.

“You know you would have more business if you set up a tent at town events.”

Alana arched a brow. “You’re joking, right? Do you really want me to advertise that I am a witch?”

Her best friend waved her off. “Everyone already knows.”

She shook her head. “No, no. Theysuspect. I don’t care if the shifters know. They already do. They can smell the magic on me, but it’s not them I’m concerned about. Iknowthe shifters hate me, but if the humans of Half Moon Key were to turn on me too? No way. I wouldn’t last a second in this town.”

“You’re always so dramatic, Alana. Seriously. You need to cool it with this wholethe-town-hates-mething.”

Alana tapped her head. “I’m a witch. I don’t have tobelievethey hate me to know it’s true.”

“No one in town hates you. Not even Cohen.”

Alana clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes. “We are two intelligent women who run our own businesses. We’ve never needed men before, and we don’t need them now, your pending nuptials aside.”

“I’m not marrying Mason because I need a man by my side. I am marrying him because I love him, and he makes me happy. You know what that’s like, Alana. Loving someone.”

“You can marry him all you want, but my point stands. We are two smart ladies, and we don’t need men. You have Mason, fine. Good for you. But that doesn’t mean I need to be matched, and especially not with a man like Cohen fucking Pierce.”

“You know you only swear when you’re talking about him, right?” Lila giggled.

“I do not.”

But she did. Alana knew that to be true, but admitting it to Lila would only cause her more grief, so Alana held fast to the denial. “Did you only come here to give me crap about Cohen?”

Lila shook her head. “Of course not, bestie. I came here to see how you’re doing. The last time we had a wedding planning event on the calendar, you came down with such a terrible case of food poisoning that I came to make sure you only ate safe foods today.”

Alana pursed her lips. “I could still get something from your restaurant.”

“Very unlikely if I keep you on buttered toast all day,” Lila shrugged.

“You wouldn’t.” Alana laughed. “You wouldn’t dare do that to keep me from bailing on tonight.”

“I would, and I will. You are not getting out of this, Alana. I know it’s hard for you to be in the same room as Cohen. If you say it’s because you hate him, then fine, whatever. You hate him, but he is my brother-in-law. I am spending the rest of my life with Mason, and it would be so cool and wonderful if my best friend and new brother could get along.

“Our wedding is just the first event in our lives that you’ll have to share with him. When Mason and I have kids? You’ll both be uncle and aunt. You’ll be godparents and invited to every birthday and baseball game. Make peace with him, Alana. Please. If not for your sake, then for mine.”

Alana took a deep breath. “You can’t do that,” she grumbled.

“Do what?”

“That.” She motioned a hand to her friend’s sad face. “You’re standing there like a wounded little bird, and you know I would do anything for you. Even be nice to Cohen Pierce.”

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