Page 30 of Bewitched & Bewildered
“There is. Fate doesn’t fuck around.” While the words are crass, there’s something wise about how she says them. “You can try to avoid him, but if he’s the one my cards showed me… it’s inevitable.”
She can say whatever she wants.
Laurel is mistaken. The cards may not be, butsheis. If the gods send me the gift of love—and I doubt they will—it must be in a different package.
Ozan is a lovely package from the outside. He’s tall and rugged, and he can grow an impressive beard…
His personality is what ruins it.
“I guess we’ll see.” I’ll say anything to make her drop the conversation.
Chapter 8
Ozan
Juniper wasn’t lyingabout the reopening. A week later, Starbrook is abuzz with news about their shop. Juniper stops coming by, too. I don’t know whether to be relieved or regretful, butmyshop keeps me too busy to think about it for long.
I should be worried about the competition, but there’s room for us both. They offer things I can’t, after all. I don’t have Juniper’s potion expertise. The potions on my shelves come from another witch, which makes them more costly and less personalized.
But I have a cute bunny—and an adorable cat! They can’t beat the business Aiyla and Evren bring in.
My spell-casting expertise makes me stand out. As far as I know, none of the Hawthorne sisters can do the type of work I do. Any witch can cast a simple spell, like starting a fire. My casting is closer to rituals, which require intense raw energy. All types of folks come in to ask me for good luck spells, money spells, and help to attract a new job.
The shop is quiet today, which gives me enough time to focus on the promotion spell for today’s client—avampire lawyer. I tie the petition to the candle, humming as I work. With skillful fingers, I roll the candle in the herbs—mint and rosemary, my preferred herbs for this kind of ritual.
I should be able to focus. It’s a simple spell. I’ve done it a hundred times for myself and others, yet my attention wavers. My head keeps lifting, and I look out the window without intending to.
I know why my shop is so empty. It must be opening day for the Hawthorne Apothecary. I should leave them to it. Their shop is probably overflowing, the way mine was a week ago.
Curiosity gets the best of me. What changes have they made? Did they come up with a new name or new offerings for their clients? I could learn about it from the usual town gossip, but that isn’t my style.
Before I know it, I’m slipping on my brown coat, locking up, and heading out the door. Their shop is a quick walk away. This is like taking an early lunch. No big deal.
Unlike the Hawthorne sisters, I’m not snooping because of some competition. It’s nostalgic for me; it must be for them, too. I miss the old shop.
The apothecary comes into view, and my eyes grow bright. The little place is overflowing, and even from the outside, I can spot all the sisters. Their vibrant hair makes them easy to find in a crowd.
One of them—Maple—stands outside the shop. I know her well enough, considering she was only a year behind me in school. I wave as I head toward her, and Maple returns the greeting.
We’ve never been close, but she’s always been friendlier than Juniper.
“Morning,” I say.
“Good morning to you!” She wiggles her eyebrows. “Are you here to join in the festivities?”
“Maybe. What’s going on in there?”
“Big opening day sale. Our prices will go up tomorrow but for today… we’re treating everyone to Mom’s old prices.”
I press my lips together. I shouldn’t say anything, but I already have my concerns. This adds to them. “Your mom’s prices were ridiculously low.”
“That’s why we’re raising them!”
I peer into the shop. A sale is a good way to get a boost early on, but I worry the crowd will thin in the upcoming days with the price change.
“Mind if I step inside?” I ask.
“Go on in!” Maple holds out a stack of flyers, and I take one. “We’re open for everyone.”
