Page 108 of Bewitched & Bewildered
“You said you wanted to learnto mix drinks.”
“Well, I do!”
“They can come to me for spells and herbs and go to you for potions.”
Several moments pass, and her eyes are still wide. I hold my breath, waiting for her response. She may hate the idea. I know Juniper has worked at bars before, and I even know she liked it…
Or she liked some of it.
She didn’t enjoy working with the customers, but it’s different when you’re in charge. She’ssupposedto be the one in charge. That’s why I won’t let her work for me.
“Oh my god,” she breathes. “That’s how I can make it my own. Why didn’t I think of this sooner?”
JUNIPER
It will take hard work, and I can’t do this alone.
I never envisioned running my own bar. Thinking of a bar alone isn’t appealing—but combining it with the potions? It’s unheard of, at least in Maine, and it may be what I need to make the shop my own.
This means I don’t have to sell my mother’s apothecary or get rid of our memories there. All I have to do is make it my own…like Ozan said from the start.
Goddess, I hate that he was right.
This time, when I gather with my sisters, Ozan is here too. His presence is new, and I can’t pretend it’s not strange. Everyone around the table is wearing a questioning look, but Ozan himself is surprisingly comfortable.
Healwayssurprises me.
“I’m sure I’m giving all of you whiplash…” My hands shake with nerves.
How long will they support me before they tire of my fickle behavior?
“Oh, you totally are. So what?” Laurel shrugs. “I’ve been doing that most of my life. It’s your turn now.”
“I guess that’s true.” I press my lips together.
“Don’t be so nervous.” Ozan looks at me from the next seat. Does he want to hold my hand, or am I imagining the twitch of his fingers?
I don’t dare do anything like that in front of my sisters—especially not Laurel. There’s no need to make her so happy. She’s been more mature lately, but that won’t stop her from teasing me later.
Ozan being here for the conversation is proof of his importance. It’s his first family meeting.
“Is it about the shop?” Rowan gives me a scrutinizing look. It feels like she can see through me.
I grimace. “It is…”
“Are we reopening?” Maple’s face lights up.
“Thatwouldgive me whiplash.” Rowan presses her lips into a tight line.
I expect my sisters to be annoyed at the idea—and at me for bringing it up. The smart thing would be to put it to bed. I should go back to college and find a new career path. As Ozan said, it’s never too late to try something new.
But this idea is the first thing that has lit me on fire in a long time. It’s only been a few hours since Ozan told me the plan. His clothes and hair are warm and dry, and he looks cozy in our kitchen.
This is different than the first time we reopened the shop. That was for spite. I didn’t feel the fire in my belly. I feel it now.
“Not exactly,” I say. “I want to…well, I want to start an entirely new business. Something unique.”
The room goes quiet.
