Page 8 of Tangled Up In You

"Are you asking me if I'm a witch?"

"Just wondering how much you're like Phoebe."

"I'm not a witch, but I believe we have powers inside of us we rarely tap into. It's more awareness of your gifts and using them instead of running away."

He rolled his eyes. "Whatever that means."

"It means we all have more potential than we realize. We often define ourselves too narrowly. We fall into stereotypes and use negative language about our own flaws, like saying you're not good at math, or you can't dance, or there's no way you could write a book."

"Hey, some people just don't have certain talents."

"I prefer to think that they just haven't explored those talents. Obstacles can be opportunities."

"That sounds like something I'd read on a poster."

"Well, it was one of Phoebe's favorite sayings, so it might be on a poster. Did you know Phoebe very well, Adam?"

"Not well, but we had a few conversations over the years. She was an interesting woman, someone who thought outside the box. She was also very charitable and an eager volunteer in the community."

"Phoebe loved kids," she said. "She used to give scholarships to the summer camp so that all the kids could go. And she had a free yoga class on Saturday afternoons for any child who wanted to bend and stretch. She was my first yoga teacher. She thought it would slow me down. It did for at least an hour. She was a really special person." She drew in a breath. "And I don't know why I'm telling you all this. I guess I'm still trying to process her death."

"That makes sense. If you went to high school here, you probably have some friends in town."

"I hope so. I heard Chloe Morgan owns this café. She was really nice to me when I lived here."

"If you were friends with Chloe, then you probably knew some of her friends, too."

"She used to hang out with Gianna Campbell, Hannah Stark, and Keira Blake. Do you know if they're around?"

"Definitely around. All except Keira. She's with her fiancé in Florida. He's a pitcher for the Miami Marlins."

"Wow. That's exciting."

As their gazes clung together, she felt another shiver of attraction. She told herself to get over it. She hadn't come to Whisper Lake to find a man. She'd come to start over—again.

That thought reminded her of her mother, who was always starting over. She'd been raised by a nomad, someone who was always in search of a better life. And while she sometimes longed for roots, there was also a part of her that wasn't sure she could ever truly settle down and stay somewhere.

"I'll let you go," Adam said.

She realized she was staring at him again. "I don't want to keep you, either. I'll try to be more careful entering and exiting doors."

"If I hadn't been on crutches, you wouldn't have taken me down. It's just hard to balance on these damn things."

"I bet. How did you hurt yourself?"

"I stumbled," he said vaguely.

"I've done that a few times."

As the door to the café opened and an older couple came out, Adam moved to the side to make room for them.

"Detective Cole, how are you?" the woman asked.

"I'm fine, Mrs. Barker."

"What you did to save Amy Polofsky last week was amazing," the woman continued. "Amy might have died if it hadn't been for you."

"You're a true hero, Adam," the man put in. "We are lucky to have you on the force, watching over everyone. I hope you're feeling better."

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