Page 35 of Bewitched & Bewildered
“Cold season is coming up.” I tap my lower lip. “Your health and wellness lemon bars would be perfect.”
“Are you sure you have time?” Laurel asks.
“I want to make the time,” Maple says. “I’ve been thinking about this for a few days. The apothecary matters to me, too. I know I can’t give up my kitchen job right now, but if I could… I would.”
I frown. It’s easy to forget that my other sisters may not be fulfilled in their careers. At least, Maple may not be. She wants to open a restaurant. That dream seems so far away, but I can give her this.
“It sounds like the perfect idea,” I say. “It would be an honor to sell your goods. I’ll even help you out?—”
She lifts a hand. “Please, no. Stay out of my kitchen.”
“What?” I let out a burst of laughter.
“I mean this in the nicest possible way, but you are the worst kitchen witch.”
I open my mouth to defend myself. Before I can, there’s a knock on the door.
“Might be more workers,” Laurel says. “I’ll get it.”
“It could be for me!” Maple calls after her. “I’m waiting for a package.”
That’s nothing out of the ordinary. Between the four ofus, the place is abuzz with deliveries. Maple has a terrible online shopping problem.
What I don’t expect is Laurel to come in with a wrapped gift and a big smile.
“It’s for you,” Laurel says.
No. Her smile is more thanbig. It’s larger than life and positively devious.
My stomach somersaults.
“What is it?” I ask.
“I don’t know…” Laurel says. “Why don’t you open it?”
I don’t like the mischievous smile she’s wearing.
My stomach is still uneasy as I take the little package from Laurel. Sure enough, the nametag has my name printed. The writing is calligraphy in a golden script. The wrapping paper is thick craft paper topped with a red velvet bow. I love red velvet. The gift looks remarkable from the outside.
This can’t be for me… can it? It’s not even my birthday.
Who could it be from? Everyone I care about is in this room—save for Aspen, who never replied to my email. I suppose it would make sense that she would send a gift to congratulate me…
Something tells me it’s not from her.
Another name comes to mind. Ozan’s face pops up, and I push it away.
The flowers were one thing. This is another. Why would he…?
If I save it to open later, that will give Laurel more ammunition.
I tug at the pretty bow. It comes undone, and my heart plunges. My hands shake as I lift the lid, trying to keep my expression neutral.
There’s a card, with my name and writing, and a box of chocolates. They’re lovely chocolates, too. Caramel and hazelnut filled and?—
Ilovechocolate. Everyone knows I prefer chocolates over flowers or… anything. It’s my favorite treat. This is too good. It can’t be from that dreaded man.
“Those look so fancy!” Maple says from behind me.
