Page 13 of Bewitched & Bewildered
My fists clench. There’s a whooshing and ringing in my ears. I can’t let this happen. They can’t replace her like this.
Chapter 4
Ozan
My first customerstorms in like the place is on fire. There’s a flame behind her bright eyes, too. My bunny familiar, Aiyla, rests on my counter as I stroke the top of her head. It’s the definition of minding my own business…
How have I already pissed someone off?
The customer is clad in all-black, with a hat resting on her wavy, black hair. Her piercing blue eyes catch my attention before I can greet her, and the look on her face stuns me into silence.
She cuts through me with a single look, sending a thrill up my spine. I swallow, trying to suppress the dry feeling in my throat.
This may be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Under her coat, she wears a matching skirt and top. They’re both dark with red flowers on them. The skirt clings to her wide, curvaceous hips. Her round face would be sweet if not for the way she glares at me, and her dark hair makes the contrast of her fair complexion striking.
Desire stirs in me. It’s something I haven’t felt since…well, since before Vanessa cheated on me.
I stomp the feeling out before it can take root. That’s not why I’m here. I didn’t come to Starbrook to get my heart broken again.
When I remember to greet her, I don’t sound as steady as I want to. “Welcome to…”
“Oh, stop it.”
I don’t recognize her until she speaks. It’s Juniper Hawthorne—and, of course, she’s mad at me. She never liked me before. Why would she start now?
“Juniper! I would know those dulcet tones anywhere.” I offer her a playful grin.
She doesn’t return the smile.
Juniper and I went to high school and elementary school together. She’s different than I remember. Her auburn hair is replaced with dark tresses, and… has she always been this attractive? I guess there’s a reason I picked her as my first kiss. I’ve always been more surprised that she choseme.
I should be annoyed that she’s glaring and cursing, but how she looks at me makes me hot behind the ears.
Her eyes drift briefly to my bunny, and I wonder if Aiyla’s adorable nature will earn me any points.
It becomes apparent it won’t.
“What are you doing here?” she asks. “You moved to Boston years ago.”
“Are you keeping tabs on me?”
“No!”
“Clearly not, if you didn’t know I was coming back.” I tap my fingers against the countertop. “Try not to look too disappointed.”
“You’re here for good?”
“Yup. Permanent move.”
“That’s fine—but what is this?” She gestures wildly to the shop.
When her eyes land on me again, there’s pain behind them. It’s more than the cruel glare she was offering before. Her lower lip trembles.
“It’s the new town apothecary,” I say, trying to gauge her reaction. “This is why I came back to Starbrook.”
Not entirely, but it’s part of the reason. The last thing I want is to tell Juniper about my divorce. She’ll find a way to hold it over my head.
My parents have been complaining for months about the lack of witch supplies in Starbrook. The town is full of witches, and being unable to get supplies is a disaster. They’ve been driving nearly an hour to the closest apothecary.
