Page 24 of Elora and the Crow

He grinned. “To be fair, all shapeshifters have commitment issues.”

“Yeah, I know.” She took a deep breath. “Do you really want to watchChoppedwith me rather than go home, Jonah?”

He nodded. “If you’re okay with me staying one more night.”

“I am,” she said. “But, uh, you’ll have to sleep on the couch. Helen put a spell on her bedroom door, and I can’t break it. It’s probably for the best anyway. Who knows what kind of potions and spells she has in her bedroom.”

“The couch will be fine,” Jonah said.

She stared at their clasped hands as all sorts of dangerous thoughts ran through her head. Inviting Jonah to sleep in her bed would be a mistake, so why was she tempted to do just that?

He’s slept in your bed for the last two years. What’s one more night? It’s no big deal, Elora. Just tell him he can sleep in your bed with you.

She wanted to pretend her inner voice was right about it not being a big deal, but she wasn’t that delusional. Jonah in her bed as a human would lead her to want all sorts of delicious things from him, and he’d already made it clear that kissing her was a mistake.

She stared at him, and as if he could read every thought in her head, he pulled his hands free with a quick jerk and said, “So, are you ready for theChoppedmarathon?”

She shoved the disappointment down deep. “Ready.”

CHAPTER8

“Wow… this isn’t a house, this is a mansion.” Elora rolled to a stop in the long circular driveway and stared at the house rising before them.

Jonah unbuckled his seat belt. “It’s ridiculously big. Too big for just me and my brother.”

She studied him. “Then why did you buy it?”

“Because I could, I guess.” He studied the house. His brother and his entire life were just behind that door. He’d waited years for this moment, so why did he feel dread instead of excitement?

He knew why. The reason for his lack of excitement about being home sat beside him, her dark hair soft and flowing, her perfect lips waiting to be kissed, and a body he could spend hours worshipping.

“Jonah?” Elora touched his hand lightly. “You okay?”

“I am,” he said. “Sorry, I know you need to get to work.”

“That’s okay,” Elora said. “Take as much time as you need.”

Fuck, she was so goddamn sweet.

He took a deep breath. “I’m good.”

“Okay, well, um, it was great to know you, and I hope you have an awesome life. Maybe stay away from angry witch mamas, though, yeah?” She smiled tentatively at him.

He scowled, unfamiliar anxiety roaring to life in him. “Why are you acting like this is goodbye forever, Elora?”

“I mean… isn’t it?” she asked.

“No!” He glared at her. “Are you seriously okay with never seeing me again?”

“No, that isn’t what I… look, we would never have been friends if we hadn’t met the way we did, right? I just assumed you wouldn’t want to, you know, hang out with me again.”

“Well, you assumed wrong.” He was acting like a pouting little kid, but he couldn’t help it. The idea of never seeing Elora again made him feel panicky, and he did not enjoy that feeling one fucking bit.

She studied him like she thought he might be a bit of an overreacting lunatic. “Okay, sorry.”

He raked his hand through his hair. “Give me your cell number, and I’ll text you as soon as I have a new phone, okay?”

“Sure,” she said in a tone that suggested she didn’t believe she’d ever hear from him again. She recited her number, and he committed it to memory.

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