Page 31 of Bewitched & Bewildered
“Would Juniper say the same?”
“Maybe not.” Maple giggles. “Go in and ask her yourself.”
The flyer is unique. There’s a moth on the front, which looks hand-drawn—likely by Juniper herself. She was always the artistic type.
Hawthorne Apothecary Grand Reopening!
Everything is 25% off.
Potions, herbs, tarot readings, and more.
When I enter the lively shop, my attention shifts between the flyer and the crowd. It smells of pumpkin spice and incense, and the area is warm enough that my bones feel heavy as I walk through. Soft chatter and music fill the air.
The other sisters are scattered around. Laurel is doingtarot readings in the corner, their other sister is working the register, and Juniper is…
Well, she’s bumping right into me.
“I’m so sorry!” she yelps.
“It’s fine.” I instinctively reach for her, holding her elbows to keep her upright.
Juniper’s tune changes the second she realizes it’s me. How flattering. Her eyes narrow.
“Watch it.” She jerks out of my hold and steps away, only to fall into a humongous cauldron. “Oof!”
A big smile stretches on my face, but I fight off laughter as I grab her hands and pull her out.
“I don’t need your”—Juniper squeaks as I pull her to her feet—“help.” Her cheeks are as red as her hair once was. She brushes her hands down her dark skirt and shakes her head.
Of course, she doesn’t thank me. I’m not expecting her to.
“Sorry about that,” I say. “It’s packed in here.”
“Of course it is! Hawthorne Apothecary is an institution.”
“It is. I didn’t mean to sound surprised.”
Juniper is a frazzled mess—but a beautiful one. Dark hair is piled on her head, with loose tendrils framing her face. Her lashes are long and dark, and the black lip stain draws my eyes to her plush lips. My attention wanders lower. There’s a green stain covering her cream-colored dress, and—shit. I’m staring at her chest, aren’t I?
I don’t realize until it’s too late. My eyes flicker up to meet hers.
“What happened there?” I ask.
If my staring wasn’t blatant, the question makes it obvious. I regret it once I ask. My face feels hot.
She lifts a brow. “What? You’ve never spilled a potion before?”
“Nope. Never.”
“A sign you’re an amateur.”
“You’ll have to teach me more about potion spilling sometime. I didn’t realize it was a requirement.”
“Oh, you…” She tucks a loose tendril of her dark, wavy hair behind her ear. “Why are you here, Ozan? I don’t remember extending an invitation.”
“Isn’t this open for all? That’s what Maple says.”
“It is, but I wasn’t expecting to see you…”
