Page 64 of Bewitched & Bewildered
But Ozan didn’t ask for a thing. He was happy to stand there with me in the quiet.
Laurel doesn’t know about those things, thank goddess, and I have no intention of telling her. They’re pointless memories, ones I’ll keep locked in my chest. All for me.
Knowing would give her too much ammunition to continue her meddling.
No matter how warm his hands were, I don’t want anyone pushing us together. That’s the last thing either of us needs. Ozan doesn’t like me. He gains pleasure in tormenting me, but that’s different.
And I certainly don’t likehim, no matter what my body seems to think.
“I’m just glad he figured it out,” I say. “It was easy.”
“It was too hard for you to do alone…”
“Don’t rub it in.” I turn away from her, hiding my hot face. “I’m going to finish my lunch. Don’t let anyone else disturb me—especially Ozan.”
Chapter 15
Ozan
This usedto be my favorite time of year.
The Haunted Harvest Festival in Starbrook is a big deal. People from all over central Maine come to shop, drink, eat, wander around the supposedly haunted buildings, and enjoy what our little town has to offer.
It’s less enjoyable now that I’m running a booth.
I submitted my vendor application in time to snag a prime location, and I expect to make some major gains from the event. My booth has a bit of everything—charms, potion samples, herb bundles, and tea leaves. I even got an electric kettle to brew tea at the stand, giving the cold visitors a reason to stop by.
My spirits aren’t as high as I would like. Nostalgia hits me like a crashing wave. I miss coming to the festival, walking around, and inspecting the goods.
My life is lonely now. I’m one of the few people setting up my booth alone. There are no employees at my shop and no one to help. It’s just me putting out my little ‘hot tea’ sign.
The Hawthorne’s booth is three times as big as mine.Their business has always been a foundational part of the event. I can’t imagine the festival without them.
The four sisters rush around their sizable booth. Their sign is more prominent than mine and covered in hand-painted decorations that are sure to capture the eye.
The smell of hot cider wafts from their booth to mine.
Not only does my stall pale in comparison—but we’re right beside each other. Juniper has been shooting me her adorable little death glare all day. She must be mad about the necklace, but she hasn’t tried to return it.
She and I are getting somewhere, even if I don’t know where we’re heading.
As nightfall approaches, the fun begins. The maze and hayride are set up, Greene’s is showing off its funniest produce, and the local bakery has a stand of the freshest pies. Fairy lights are strung about the little town square, bringing the place to life for the darkest time of the year.
It’s Juniper’s favorite holiday—or it was when we were younger. Some would call it a cliché for a witch, and maybe it is, but I still want to give her something to be happy about.
I don a playful smile as I slip by their booth with a warm pumpkin scone. Juniper is already glaring at me.
“How’s everything going?” I ask. “Are you all set up?”
I pose the question to Juniper, but she is not the one who answers.
“It’s going swell!” Maple says. “We had trouble with the extension cord earlier?—”
Juniper cuts her sister off with a shake of her head. “Everything is fine. It’s going exactly as planned.”
“Right.” I snicker and set the scone down on their booth. “Brought you a little snack, Juni. I didn’t see you eating today, so…”
“Were you watchingme?” She lifts a brow.
