Page 16 of The Neighborhood Witch

“I’ll have to order more, but yeah.”

“Perfect!”

Alice took another sip. “I’m sorry I got you involved in this mess. I’m sorry you had to give up everything because of me.”

Esmerelda placed her cup on the table. She stretched across for Alice’s hands and held them tightly. “Kiddo, you did nothing wrong. This is not your fault. Do you understand?”

Alice shook her head in agreement.

“That old club was just a place. Clubs can always be moved and rebuilt. You… you mean more to me than any club ever could. I’m glad you’re safe now.”

“Thank you.” Alice smiled. “How is the new club coming along?”

“Slow. Too slow. Delays and delays and more delays,” Ez responded as she let go of Alice’s hands. “It would have gone much faster if I did it myself. You’ll have to stop by when things calm down a bit. I’ll give you a tour.”

“Think of a name yet?” Alice asked.

“Thinking of keeping it simple. MaybeThe Coven Club,” she responded with a wink.

“A little on the nose, don’t you think?”

“It’ll be a private club, so we can control who comes in and out.” Ez paused and turned her attention to the window.

Alice turned to see what drew Ez’s attention. Hugo threw the ball, and Max chased after it.

“Interesting view.”

“Don’t worry. He can’t see us. I have all the protection spells in place. I sat there watching him, and he never knew,” Alice said. “Besides, he’s harmless.”

“Sam was harmless… at first.” Ez turned her attention back to Alice. “Now look at you.”

Alice closed her eyes at the utterance of that name. “He’s not like Sam.”

“Are you sure?”

Alice’s eyes dropped to her drink. She gazed at a few pieces of torn tea leaves floating atop the brownish water. She took a sip. “I think he saw me last night.”

“Saw you?”

“I was out enjoying the moonlight—” Alice started.

“I thought we talked about this.”

“It was the witching hour. The moon was full, and I didn’t think anyone would be watching.”

“You need to be more careful. I’ve called in every favor I had to get you here. To get you away. I can’t do it again.”

Alice closed her eyes, slumped her shoulders, and lowered her head. “I wanted to feel like myself again,” Alice said. She openedthem and focused on Esmerelda. Her eyes watered. “I just wanted to be who I am.”

Esmerelda set her mug down and once more took Alice’s hands across the table. Esmerelda peered into Alice’s emerald green eyes. “Kiddo, I know it can be difficult. The best thing you can do right now is maintain a low profile. Put on your big girl boots, and keep moving forward. It will be okay. I promise.”

A tear slowly fell down Alice’s face. Esmerelda let go, and Alice wiped away the tear.

“He liked the color of my house,” Alice said.

“Oh, he liked it, did he?”

“He said it was an excellent color.” Alice smiled.

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