Page 11 of Knot the Witch Next Door

“I have Halloween dresses…” I sang, motioning to my closet as if I were casting a spell.

Rosemary laughed and shook her head. “Oh God, no. Let’s not give my mom any more reason to hate you.”

My body stiffened, and I could hardly breathe. Did Claudia really dislike me that much?

“Oh honey,” Rosemary turned and took my hands, a truly apologetic lilt to her words. “She doesn’t hate you. No one can hate you. You’re the sweetest, most generous, compassionate person ever. Mom just isn’t into the Halloween thing. It’s weird to her. That’s all. She knows you’re a respected artist and keeps reminding me that you’re being noble taking care of your mom, and if something ever happened to her, I should take a cue from you. Thank God she has Edward to be her nurse. I’d take a hundred yowling stray cats any day over being a nurse to my mom.”

I’d never gotten warm welcomes from Claudia, but it seemed she was that way with everyone, and I had never taken it personally. It was just the way she was. Yet Rosemary was always precise with her words. Her mom didn’t like me in particular. I thought I’d noticed it when Rosemary named me her maid of honor, but Claudia worked with us on things.

Yet if she ever knew that Deacon and I… Shit. Claudia would flip her lid. My heart beat heavily in my chest, and my throat grew tight. I certainly would never be good enough for Deacon if Claudia didn’t even like me as Rosemary’s best friend.

I swallowed thickly. Rosemary was staring at me with great concern. I needed to say something. Anything. “Kat told me your mom thought my paintings were strange and creepy.”

Rosemary relaxed and snorted. “Yeah, but again, different tastes. Your paintings are supposed to be strange and creepy, but they’re also gorgeous. They wouldn’t be hanging in a gallery if someone else didn’t think so.”

I never doubted my artistic talent. My work was niche. I just couldn’t get over the fact that Claudia didn’t like me. Anyfantasies I had about a life with Deacon were suddenly thrown into a blender with slasher movies. Not that I thought it would really come to that. Claudia wasn’t a psychotic murderer, but if Deacon wanted to mate with me, would he go against his mother’s wishes? Everything would be a mess. Not just with Claudia, but with Rosemary too. The whole family. Their family already hung on brittle supports. I didn’t want to be the reason they broke.

Plus the fancy dinner. I’d forgotten about that. My mom said Claudia had an Omega she wanted to pair Deacon with. Onesheapproved of. And that was today.

My grip tightened on the brush. I didn’t want Rosemary to see my hands shaking. The tree house called. My haven. I wanted to run off and hide there.

“Carmilla?” Rosemary started to stand, her brows creasing.

Today was for Rosemary. I needed to push Deacon out of my head and be the bestie she needed. I nudged her to sit again. “I’m good. Mind just wandering again.” I gave a small laugh and hoped it sounded natural. “So no costumes. I see you’re wearing your gold cashmere. Nice. What color is your flannel jacket?”

“Sam’s bringing them. Blue and black, of course.” She settled and adorably fiddled with her engagement ring.

“Your three wedding colors.” I smiled and accentuated the soft curls in her hair before applying her makeup. Nothing heavy, just bringing out her natural glow. All the while, in the back of my mind, the fact that Claudia hated me ate away at me.

Dad brought us up some brunch, and we chatted as if my world hadn’t turned upside-down. I managed to squeeze in a few minutes to change into a retro style black and purple dress with the pattern of a pumpkin patch at night on the skirt and blackDoc Martensboots. My black jacket with my Witch’s Hat logo on the back went perfectly with it.

All normal. Nothing out of the ordinary at all. Nope, I wasn’t in heat. I didn’t have sex with my best friend’s brother last night, and I wasn’t madly falling for him. Their mother didn’t hate me.

I grabbed my camera bag and headed outside with Rosemary when she said Sam texted he was waiting in our driveway. We were going to one of my happy places. Everything would be fine and dandy there.

Saying goodbye to my folks, I popped some candy corn into my mouth from a dish in the foyer and followed Rosemary out to where she was already smooching her fiance. I got a warm hug from Sam and opened the side door of his SUV to hop in. But there was already someone sitting in my usual seat.

Deacon.

He smiled that slow, sexy smile. “Hey Carmilla. Haven’t seen you in a while.”

Oh fuck.

CHAPTER EIGHT – Deacon

It had been nearly two hours, and Carmilla had said barely a dozen words to me. I don’t know what was wrong, but she dodged me every time I tried to get her alone to talk. I’d been already on edge from a rough morning with my mom, but Carmilla avoiding me was driving me crazy.

To top it off, her perfume grew stronger the longer we were at the farm. I was doing what I could to help with the photo shoot, but there wasn’t much I could do except try not to tackle Carmilla into the hay when she’d crouch down and her skirt would reveal her creamy thighs. I knew what sweet treat lay hidden there, and fuck, I wanted to drown myself in her slick again.

She took pictures of Rosemary and Sam in the barn, the hayloft, the yard with the animals, the pumpkin patch, and the gazebo overlooking the orchards. The Price farm had acres of beautiful land and plenty of ideal spots for the shoot. The sky was mostly clear with a few moody clouds, and the cool breeze was broken by the fact there were a lot of people warming the area with their fall visit.

“One more kiss.” Carmilla took another round of pictures as Sam and Rosemary locked lips, giggling as they held one another. “Perfect! Let’s move on to the pond, and then to the corn maze.”

“How about we take a break? You’re working us hard today, Milla.” Rosemary held her fiance’s hand, their arms swinging between them. Their love was strong and easy, and I so wanted to have that with Carmilla.

“Yeah, I think it’s time for hot cider.” Sam grinned and Rosemary nodded happily.

“A cider sounds good.” I agreed. Finally I’d be able to talk to Carmilla and find out what was wrong. “Plus those freshly made donuts smell delicious.”

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