Page 9 of Hot in Witch City
“Working on a project for the publisher and then some house stuff.”
“How's the house coming along?"
Since moving from New York, she’d been gradually updating the place.
"Good. Thanks to you and the guys helping me. And you convincing me that I had to make the apartment my own has inspired me to refresh the look."
"You know I love to do that kind of stuff.” I loved watching shows on redecorating and DIY projects and devoured magazines on the subject. A space needed personality and couldn’t remain a blank canvas. You had to make it reflect your own style. Giving the Danger Zone its retro rock vibe had been tremendous fun. My staff and I had painted the walls black and added red and purple lights for ambiance. In addition, we put in all sorts of details picked up from old rock videos to give it a more signature look.
In my townhouse, I’d taken a different approach. It was my place to unwind, so it needed to be an oasis of comfort. That’s why I’d picked more neutral tones and soft fabrics. When I was there, I wanted to relax.
"Is there anything you could use help with right now?" I asked her.
I’d convinced Nova that to truly feel like she lived in the house, she needed to make it her space. We had been tackling the belongings with a Marie Kondo attitude with me asking “Does it spark joy?” If not, it went bye-bye.
"Not sure," Nova said. "We finished painting the living room and moved the furniture back in. You’re right about thinking I should get rid of it. I mean it's my aunt’s style, and it doesn't really suit me, but I want to keep some things to remind me of her.”
“Yet not a full museum,” I reminded Nova.
“Exactly. I listened.” She exhaled. “Do you want to come see it and give me some more pointers?”
Nova wasn't into decorating like I was. “I’m busy with the club tonight, but how about on Tuesday?”
"Ooh, that would be great," Nova replied. "We can order some food and hang out."
"And then have a total girl's night in. Watch a movie or something.”
“That won’t work since I don’t have a TV,” Nova reminded me. “Diego isn’t working then, but I think the other guys are. I’m sure he won’t mind if we watch a movie there.”
“That’s cool. I can tolerate hanging for a couple of hours with a vamp who helped saved my life and is now dating my best friend,” I teased. The truth was I liked Diego, and Nova knew it. He could be grumpy, but he cared and would do anything for her—including risking his life.
A strange pang twisted inside. Would I ever find something like that? A connection with someone who’d be willing to sacrifice his life to save me?
Probably not. I’d never felt the urge to commit to anyone, which I attributed to my siren side. Why settle when I could be swimming among all those pretty fish in the sea?
Sebastian
When Diego rolled zombie-like down the stairs late Monday morning, he said, “Hey, Seb. You’re working tomorrow, right?”
I glanced up from the couch where I was scrolling my phone. “Yeah, why?”
“Gianna is going over to Nova’s to help her with the apartment. When they’re done, they might come by to watch a movie.”
My wolf perked up, and my heartbeat quickened. Nova told me that Gianna turned down my offer for dinner and an apology, saying that things are fine between us, and I’d been contemplating my next course of action to meet up with her ever since.
“I suggested Monty Python, of course,” Diego added with a shake of his head. “It baffles me that there are people who live in the twenty-first century who have never seen any of their stuff.” He threw his hands up with dramatic flair and added, “What’s wrong with people?”
“Gianna is coming here?”
"Only if you’re not going to get all weird.” Diego eyed me with wary speculation.
“I won’t be,” I scoffed with a casual wave. “Nova is your girlfriend. Gianna is her best friend. You and I are roommates, and Nova is here all the time. It’s normal for Gianna to come around.”
Despite the forced calmness in my tone, my skin felt hot and clammy. My wolf clambered about inside.
"You sure about that?" Diego asked. "You’re looking a little—bewildered."
"Bewildered?" I waved him off with a laugh. "You're misreading the situation. I'm totally cool with this."
