Page 88 of Bewitched & Bewildered
“I don’t know.” I lift my shoulders. “I would apologize, but you cheated on me with my best friend. I don’t think we can compare our mistakes.”
Her lips twist, and she looks away. “Then there’s no chance for us?”
“No.” I pause. “It’s too late. My heart belongs to someone else.”
“I knew it.”
“And I knew you were watching.”
“How long have you two been a thing?” Her attention is back on me, as sharp as a knife. “It seems like you have history.”
“It’s nothing. She doesn’t feel the same way.”
“You’re giving me up for someone who doesn’t want you?”
I bark out a laugh. “Shit. I guess I am.”
“I don’t understand it, but… I guess I don’t have to.” She lifts her shoulders. “This is goodbye—for real this time.”
“It is,” I say. “Get back to Boston safely—and clear things up with Otis, would you?”
My old friend hurt me more than Vanessa, but that doesn’t mean I want him being strung around by her.
She shakes her head and turns away from me. “You’re something else.”
“Thank you.”
Vanessa leaves, and my heart finally settles. She passes a customer on the way out. While I should probably have a moment alone, I welcome the distraction… until I realize who it is.
JUNIPER
I was worried about being a rebound, but I wasn’t even consideringthis. Vanessa passes me on the way out. I expect her to do something—glare, give me a dirty look, anything. She doesn’t even glance at me as she scurries from the shop.
It’s too late to turn around. I’m standing at the entrance to his shop, and he’s looking right at me. My hands hang limply by my sides.
Gods, am I making a mistake?
The talk with my sisters didn’t go badly, but it didn’t go well. I am more lost than before, and feeling lost leads me here. I need another taste of him. I was so sure about it, but seeing Vanessa…
Maybe he doesn’t wantto seemeagain.
Ozan doesn’t even smile. He looks at me with wide eyes. It’s as if I’m the last person he expects to see. Maybe I’ve been reading him wrong. Perhaps our night together wasn’t good forhim.
“Hey!” He approaches with tentative steps.
I press my lips together for a moment, but it does nothing to keep me from making a fool of myself. “What was she doing here?”
“Nothing.” His brows furrow. “We were just talking.”
“Really?”
Finally, he smiles a crooked smile. His grin twists my stomach into knots and makes my chest flutter.
“Yeah, really.” He takes another step closer. “Are you jealous, Juni?”
“No!” I lift my chin stubbornly.
“Oh, I think you are.”
