Page 30 of Plus-Size Mate

Eddie took a step back, his eyes widening a little. Then his face relaxed and he shoved his hands into his pockets. With a shrug, he sighed, “I guess I'll just go, then.”

Anger swelled inside Winter, though it wasn't aimed at him but at herself. Why was she being so damn defensive all of a sudden?

Maybe it was just the attack. Or maybe it was something else. Maybe she was frightened of whateverthismight be.

Just seeing his face made Winter's chest explode with a sensation that scared the living daylights out of her.

When Eddie began to turn away, she blurted, “No! I'm sorry. Please, stay.”

Eddie looked back over his shoulder, eyebrow raised. “You really want me to?”

A thrill ran through Winter at the question. She most definitely did want him to.

“Yes, please, come in.”

In truth, the very last thing she wanted was to be alone right now. After everything she had just learned, she needed something or somebody to distract her. And it was as if fate had brought him to the door at just the right moment. How was she ever to deny that?

“Are you sure?” Eddie asked.

Winter closed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath. She wasn't sure about anything anymore.

When she opened her eyes again, Eddie was looking at her with a mix of curiosity and concern. He had turned back to face her, his hands removed from his pockets once more.

“Yeah, I could do with some help,” she admitted.

“Help with what?” Eddie asked, brow furrowing.

“One last try at finding another option.”

For just a second, Winter thought she saw disappointment or even hurt on Eddie's face. Then, his expression became unreadable once more.

“Yeah, sure. I guess it's worth a try.”

This time, it was Winter’s turn to feel hurt. Why, she couldn’t say, but there was a twisting in her gut the moment he spoke.

Clenching her jaw, she stepped out of the way and gestured him inside, finally releasing the key she had been holding.

Discreetly, she placed them on the shelf behind the door as Eddie stepped inside.

“It's cozy in here,” Eddie said as she closed the door behind him.

Winter smiled. Though it was technically just a storeroom, the back room of the shop had always been one of her favorite places, especially on autumn nights when the chill was beginning to set in—the smell of herbs and spices, the roaring of the fireplace on the far side of the room, all the bookshelves that helped to keep the heat in.

“We witches know a thing or two about making things cozy,” she said, shrugging.

“I guess I'll have to take your word for that,” Eddie said, looking over his shoulder at her once more. “Though if this is just the back room of the shop, I can't even begin to imagine what the apartment upstairs is like.”

Winter barely managed to stop herself from immediately inviting him upstairs. That would most definitely be one step too far.

Getting too familiar too soon was bound to cause more trouble than it was worth in their situation. No, the back room was safer.

“I suppose one day you'll see,” she said, pursing her lips. “Shall we get started?”

Chapter 9 - Eddie

It was odd to Eddie, to be in silence yet not feel awkward, to be content merely pawing his way through books, unsure exactly of what he was looking for.

Yet, in the quiet coziness of the back room at the Green Cauldron, Eddie felt something he hadn't felt in such a long time. He was content.

---