Page 60 of Bewitched & Bewildered
“Hey—” I say.
“No.”
My heart plummets.
She could keep walking—but she doesn’t. She halts but won’t meet my eye. Her fingers fiddle with the strap of her bag. Warmth spreads across her cheeks like a soft, pink blush.
Juniper looks sweet as candy, but her eyes lift to meet mine, and there’s sharpness behind her stare. I could still eat her right up.
“We should talk,” I say.
“No, thank you.” The laughter falling from her lips feels more flustered than final.
“Why not?”
“There’s nothing for us to talk about.”
I grimace. “I think there is…”
We’ve kissed before—once—and I know it was moments from happening again last night. There was tension between us. It was more than the potion for me; it must be for her, too.
Why should we keep ignoring it?
“That will never happen again,” she says.
“What won’t happen?”
“Whatever you think happened last night.”
I lift a brow. “What happened?”
I’m desperate to get an answer from her. If she can admit she felt it too, we can go somewhere with the conversation. It won’t be easy. Anyone can see Juniper is stubborn, especially when it comes to me.
Her nostrils flare. “The potion. I’m swearing off brewing that potion.”
“Oh, don’t do that. We didn’t make the most of it, but… it could have been a grand time for someone else.”
“It was too strong.” Her features stay flat.
I cross my arms. “Is that your way of blaming your feelings on the potion?”
“Yes.” She lifts her head. “It is. Or it would be if I had any feelings, but therewereno feelings. Do you get it?”
“Got it.”
“Good. If you don’t mind, I have to open my shop.”
“I don’t mind at all.” I shrug, trying to play coy. It’s probably too late for that. “I’ll see you around.”
“You probably won’t.”
“I hope I will.” I pause. “Can I come visit you later?”
Juniper hesitates. Her face is flushed again. Her lips part, and the wind blows, pushing her bangs around wildly.
“You can do whatever you want,” she says, “as long as you’re a paying customer.”
She doesn’t outright tell me to stay away. It gives me a spark of hope. There’s a smile on her face as she goes.
