Page 57 of The Witch is Back

“How many times, Tia? This. Isn’t. Your. Business!” When Tia opened her mouth, Emma interrupted. “You’re treating me like a child.”

“I’ve seen the way you look at him.”

“I don’t.”

“You don’t look at him?”

“Well, sure, sometimes I look at him. But, I don’t, you know, look at him.”

A beat passed. “I’m not sure if it says more about you or me that I followed that.” Tia shook her head, pushing the topic. “I can see the old you in your eyes.”

“Ouch.” Emma pulled back, hurt sliding in like a knife between her ribs.

“I’m serious. They have stars upon stars. And worse, he’s starting to look at you.”

Emma’s pulse bumped. “What?”

“I mean, obviously he’s got some trust issues we didn’t know about but even so... Okay, have you ever baked something and it’s unusual but you think you like it so you keep trying it?”

“He is not looking at me like that.” Hell, she wasn’t the one who’d had the truth potion. Why should she admit she’d noticed some of the long looks sent her way?

“Hey, it was either this or a hex bag.”

“No hex bags.” Emma sighed, ran a hand over her hair. “I shouldn’t have worn the dress.”

“No.”

Miffed, Emma sent her a look. “I’m going to take him home. Before he spills any more secrets.”

“Hey, aren’t you glad you know he doesn’t trust you? It means you can figure out how to be stealthier about Sloane.”

Emma wasn’t admitting anything. “What if he spills the magic secret completely and Leah can’t pretend anymore?”

Tia had the grace to look shamefaced. “Yeah, I didn’t think about that. The good side is that one out of three truth potions have foggy memory as a side effect.”

“Bastian’s skill is mind magic.”

“Right.” Tia shrugged. “Damage is done anyway. Just let me ask a couple more questions.”

“No.”

“We all right here?” Leah joined them.

Emma looked past her.

“He went to the bathroom. What’s up?”

Emma poked a finger into Tia’s shoulder. “She roofied him.”

Leah’s mouth fell open.

“Goddess, you make it so dramatic.” Tia poked Emma back. “I slipped a small truth potion in his drink is all.”

“A truth potion.” Leah considered. “Yep, that explains it. Hey, can I have a batch for this guy at the shelter? I think he likes me, but I’m not sure, and not to go all girly-girl, but I don’t want to just ask him...”

“No,” Emma told her.

“Buzzkill.”

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