Page 23 of Hot in Witch City
His eyes widened. “What do you mean by long-lost? She hasn’t been part of your life?”
“I’m not going to tell you my personal problems.” I took a bite of pancakes dripping with Vermont maple syrup.
“Why not? Does telling me make them worse?” He ate some bacon, devouring almost half the strip in one bite.
“No, but—I barely know you.”
“That makes me impartial—and a good sounding board, right?”
I sized him up. What guy wanted to listen to a woman talk through what’s on her mind? Oh well, he asked for it, so he’d hear it all—and then probably regret his question.
I spilled the situation with my mother out in a rambling speech, finishing with, “Who does she think she is? She’s never been a part of my life, and then she shows up out of nowhere, on New Year’s Eve of all times, after twenty-five years? What kind of bullshit is that?”
“That is big,” Sebastian noted. He’d stopped eating as he’d listened to my tale.
“Does she really think I’m going to welcome her back into my life after she abandoned me?”
He cocked his head, appearing to think about the options. “What do you think you’ll do?”
“I don’t know.” I stabbed some more pancakes and eggs together and scooped them into my mouth. After I ate, I said, “I need to talk to Nova.”
After we finished eating and brought our plates into the kitchen, I texted Nova.
Are you home?
Yes,she replied.
Can I come over for a few?
Sure.
I'll be right there.
When I walked over to the door leading into her apartment, Sebastian followed me and said, “I want to see you again.”
“I don’t think so. It’s not a good idea.”
“Why not? I think it's a great idea. Think about it some more.”
“I told you it's not my style. I’m not girlfriend material.”
“Good, I’m not looking for a girlfriend. We had a good time together. Why not meet up again?”
“Sebastian…” Another sigh. Where was my damn drama queen crown?
“We had a sizzling connection last night; one we shouldn’t ignore. Something my wolf recognized the—”
He stopped and turned ghostly pale.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“No, itdefinitelyis something.” I crossed my arms. “Tell me what you were about to say.”
He rubbed the side of his face. “The reason my wolf acted up the first time we met was…”
When he didn’t finish, I prodded, “Sebastian?”
