Page 107 of Bewitched & Bewildered
The clutter I used to see is gone, replaced with a bowl of oranges, apples, and pomegranates. The space is warm and filled with spice. Juniper being around has been good for the house, but if she wants to have more to sink her teeth into…
I know exactly what she can do.
“You won’t change my mind.” She sets a cup of tea before me. “But I welcome you to try. You know I love a challenge.”
I sigh, looking at her with love in my eyes. “Idoknow that about you.”
For a long time, I was the one challenging her. I didn’t mean to, but seeing her try to knock me down a few pegs became a favorite pastime. It breaks my heart to see her like this.
It’s been a time of rest for her, and she needs it, but she doesn’t seem happy. There are dark circles under her eyes. The fire I once saw there is put out. She’s still as beautiful as ever, sleepy and soft, but…
I want to see the passion in her eyes again—and I think she wants to see it, too. There’s a reason she’s sitting here with me instead of telling me to go home.
There are afewreasons, actually. Even though we haven’t discussed it, there’s a silent knowing that we’re more than friends. We’re more than a hookup, too. I don’t have a doubt in my mind that Juniper feels what I do…
And I love her. We’re not the type that needs to put it into words. Running to her in the cold, northeastern rain says it for me more than whispered words ever could.
“Come on, then. Tell me your brilliant idea.” She wraps her hands around her teacup.
I know the look in her eyes; she doesn’t dare be excited, but there’s a spark of hope.
“You didn’t love running the shop,” I say. “But youlovemaking your potions. You can’t deny it.”
“And I won’t. I’vealwaysloved potions. I don’t need to brew them as a part of my job to love it.”
“But what if there’s another way for you to do it?”
She tilts her head to the side. “If you want me to make potions for your shop, I will…”
That would be the easy way, but it feels wrong. Juniper is strong and independent. I love that she’s learning to lean on other people, but I don’t want her to lose the different parts of herself.
There’s more she can do.
I shake my head. “That’s not what I want. I want to stop selling potions.”
Her eyes bulge out of her head. “Why? If it’s about the gold chest, you can have ours! I’ll loan it to you. It’s no big deal?—”
“It’s not about the chest; I don’twantyour chest. I want you to sell them yourself, Juni.”
“No way. I’m not opening a potion shop. There’s no point when you’re right down the street.”
“You can sell potions for half the price.”
“Yeah, but…”
“And I’m not talking about a potion shop. Not in a traditional sense.” I lift my teacup and take a delicate sip.
It’s still hot enough to scald my tongue.
“Whatareyou talking about?” Her words are clipped short.
“I’m talking about bringing everything you’ve worked at in your life into one thing.” I set the teacup down. “You should open a bar.”
“What?”
“Sell your potions there, brew them there—and sell alcohol, too. We don’t have a good bar in Starbrook. You know that.”
“I do, but?—”
