Page 135 of De-Witched

“I think it’s okay to feel angry, hurt, that they chose everyone but you. In a way, they still chose reputation over family, even if they went against normal society to do it. And I love you for showing up for me, for trying to be the parent they never could. Even living with humans so you could demonstrate responsibility to our name.” Her tone turned teasing. “Though that worked out for you, huh.”

He smiled faintly as the wind caressed the tips of his hair. “Will says Leah only likes me because I’m a warlock.”

“That’s stupid. And you’re not stupid, right?”

“You can’t deny there’d be an allure.” He paused, shook his head. “No. I think she might actually like me for being...me.”

“Arrogant jackass with a marshmallow interior.” Melly nudged his shoulder with her own. “So, you love her. You’re obviously going to the High Family, right?”

“You aren’t disappointed with me for potentially throwing away our legacy?”

“What legacy? The company?” She gestured between them. “We’re our legacy, Gabriel. You and me, Uncle August, Mrs. Q. Chuck,” she added with a laugh. “As long as you live up to that, I won’t be disappointed.”

“I love you, Melly.”

“I love you, too.” She grinned, bright and brilliant. “Now, c’mon. What’s next?”

It had been five hours and nothing. Nada. Not a carrier pigeon or flying broom. No talking mirrors, either, and Leah had made sure to keep a compact nearby just in case.

Gabriel had said he’d come back but now he was with his own kind, maybe he’d decided to skip the awkward breakup conversation altogether. That or he’d been right about his uncle and had lost the company and it was too painful for him to face.

She didn’t do patient. Sitting on her ass was driving her nuts, even if her body still felt weak. She’d made it downstairs, at least, lying on the couch and stroking Delilah, who lay on Leah’s belly, her other hand on Rosie’s head where the sprocker curled on the floor. Louie nestled between her legs and Sylvie stretched on the back of the couch. Even Ralph had shown his support by venturing forward to nudge Leah’s hand before streaking back to his hiding place.

“Get used to it, gang,” she murmured. “This is it now.”

Just her and her animals. Sounded perfect.

With a sigh, she turned off the TV and stared at the ceiling. What was this? She wasn’t the type to sit around. She went out and got what she wanted, knocking down every wall she came across. In some ways, her fear of rejection had become her drive to succeed—and wasn’t that a kicker to realize? She might’ve put up her own walls but everything she’d gone after, she’d got.

The question was, what did she want now?

Gabriel. Every screwed-up, annoying, loving inch of him. She was even willing to brave the twisted society that came with. The trouble was two hearts were involved here. He had to bend toward her as well. And she doubted her warlock, forged in discipline, would ever bend that much.

“Leah.”

She choked on the chocolate-covered pretzel she’d just crunched down on, her chest seizing as she coughed. The dogs leaped off her, scrambling to greet the owner of that wonderfully sinful voice. By the time she’d got her breath back and had risen from the couch, he’d petted them all, even little Louie, who’d deigned to leave his comfortable position.

Gabriel’s face was achingly familiar as she took in every inch, trying and failing to read his expression. He wore a suit still, perfectly pristine and gorgeous.

And she wore a tattered hoodie, and sweatpants with the word juicy on the ass.

“Hi,” she said for lack of anything better. She shifted her weight, swallowing down the nerves that wanted to flutter. “I didn’t know if you’d come back.”

“I said I would.”

“And Goodnights always keep their promises.” It was said with some affection, a tinge of longing.

If he caught it, he didn’t let on. “I wanted to talk to you. About Chuck.”

Leah’s mind halted. “You...came back to talk to me about Chuck?”

“Yes. I want to adopt him.”

She could almost hear the high-pitched whine of her ego deflating. Or was that her soul crying? Could be either. “Okay.”

“Melly already adores him. No matter how long he has left, he’s going to get as much love as he can stand.”

He was staring at her in a way that made her feel like she should be getting some kind of message. She wasn’t.

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