Page 68 of Bewitched & Bewildered
“No?” He shakes his head. “Or… I don’t know. I don’t think so. She’s going through a rough patch.”
It’s a divorce, I guess. It’s hard for both sides—not that I would know.
“I’m glad I never got married,” I say. “That feels like… a lot.”
“There’s still time. You never think about getting married?”
“Not really. I haven’t had anythingcloseto that in… well, in a long time. What? Areyougoing to sell marriage to me after that?”
“I may not be the best salesperson. Hell, I don’t know ifI’llget married again.”
I find it astounding that he would consider remarrying at all. Curiosity nips at me—but I don’t take the call.
“That’s what I thought.” I step closer and cross my arms. “Tell me about her—or your relationship.”
I mean to phrase it as a request, but the words come out firm and harsh. I cringe at the sound of my voice.
“What do you want to know?” he asks.
“What happened to make her like that?”
There has to besomething.
“I don’t know. She cheated onme—with my friend. That was the man you saw her with.”
“What?” I let out a choked laugh. “She had the gall to come here with him?”
“She was trying to help… I think.”
“There are better ways to help. Come on. That was deliberate—and evil.”
The wind blows. I push my hair out of my face—and his fingers twitch at his sides before relaxing.
“I don’t want to keep talking about her,” he says. “You helped. That’s all.”
“I tried. I would have done more if I knew the full story.”
“How much more are we talking?” He grins. “I can’t imagine you throwing fists.”
“Oh, nothing like that. I’m better at verbal sparring. The moment there’s a fist in the air, I’m gone.”
“Respectable.” He looks me up and down. It feels like he’s stripping me bare.
A shiver runs up my spine.
“Let me walk you to your car,” he says.
“Sure. It’s the least you can do.” I give him a cheeky smile.
Between the veil growing thinner and the adrenalinefrom the festival, the night is strange. Ozan and I getting along adds to the abnormality, too.
“I can’t believe you’re still driving your high school car,” he says.
“Why not?” I pat the hood of my old, rusty graduation gift. “It works. I take care of it. Regular maintenance means a car can last… well, not a lifetime, but a long time.”
“That’s a feat.” He tilts his head to the side. “Am I going to see you at the after-party?”
I’m drained from the long day, and I yearn to go home, shower, and hide in bed…
