Page 72 of Hot in Witch City
I frowned. It would also mean leaving everything and everyone behind. I’d worked so hard to build up the Danger Zone and buy my townhouse. Was I ready to give those up?
No. Maybe I was more attached to my life in Salem here than I realized. I had good people in my life, good friends.
Before I made any rash decisions, I had to sleep on it.
The next morning,I woke in the now familiar beach-themed bedroom. It wasn’t my bed. I missed my room.
I pulled out my phone and texted Nova.Things are weird here. How are you doing?
Fine. Weird how?
Not exactly sure. I thought I’d find where I’d belong here. Now I’m not so sure.
You’re always part of my tribe.
When she added a silly emoji, I laughed.I know.
How long are you staying?Nova asked.
Good question.Did I have any reason to stay? I went through the reasons why I’d come here. I’d wanted to learn more about my siren side and myself. I thought I’d fit better in this world with others like me. That didn’t appear to be the case. In fact, I felt more connected to the hodgepodge supernatural crew that lived under Nova’s roof than I did here.
Specifically with the wolf shifter who thought I was his mate.
Maybe I’d come here to run away from my true feelings.
I was afraid. Afraid of feelings so strong, which I’d never felt before. I was a coward to have pushed him away instead of facing my fears. Hadn’t I been the one to encourage him to face his own in joining me in the pool? If he could take on that long-standing phobia with me, I could summon the courage to face my issues with abandonment and commitment and control with him.
Oh, this poor shifter didn’t realize he’d have his hands full falling for someone like me.
I’m coming back today,I texted Nova.I need to talk to Sebastian. Maybe we can see if we can find a way to make this work.
Yes!she replied and added a half-dozen smiley faces with heart eyes.Good for you.
I then texted Sebastian, my pulse firing more rapidly as I typed.Can we talk later?
While I awaited his reply, my leg twitched. Would he even want anything to do with me after the way I’d treated him?
Of course, he replied.When and where?
I exhaled a deep sigh of relief.Eight. My place?
See you then.
I closed my eyes. Amid all my confusion of late, a new lightness filled me. I was going home.
Chapter 15
Gianna
Since this would be my last day with the pod, I hung out at the beach house with them. Part of me wanted to ensure I was doing the right thing, what I wanted. The more time I spent with them, the more I realized I didn’t have much in common with them—especially with all the wariness and whispers. Whatever they discussed, they didn’t want me to know.
That afternoon, I found my mother. “Thanks for letting me stay here. It’s time I go back home.”
She frowned. “You can’t leave already.”
“Why not?”
“We have so much to talk about. So much to prepare.”
