Page 31 of Witch Please

Danica stared at him, eyes wide, as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Most people tell me to cut her off. But she was so good to me when I was little. We were so close. Clem and I spent our summers with her here, and she taught us so much. She waited until I was older before she started…sharing her opinions about my dad.”

To Titus, that sounded manipulative. He could understand why other friends had tried to get Danica away from her grandmother. No matter how the old woman felt about her son-in-law, she shouldn’t shit talk him to his child. Most likely, she was a hateful racist who made sure her bond with Danica was strong before revealing her bad side. But he sensed he’d lose the ground he’d gained by pointing that out.

“It must be painful and tiresome. Getting it from both sides.”

“It is. My dad doesn’t know,” she confided quietly. “Gram’s never said anything in front of him, and I’m grateful for that. But both my mom and I hear about it.”

Privately he thought that was nothing to be thankful for. Her grandmother sounded like a horrible, controlling witch.

“I’m so sorry,” he said, echoing her earlier words.

Her cinnamon-brown eyes locked with his, a connection so strong and deliciously fraught with unspoken yearning that he shivered, leaning forward unconsciously. Danica stroked the back of his hand, and the spark of pleasure blossomed into a current, a tingle that went up his arm into his shoulder and down his brain stem. His whole body felt alight, burning with the need to touch her.

Then she whispered, “Would it be weird if I asked for a hug?”

“Not at all. I’d have offered if you hadn’t.” He let go of her hand and stood, rounding the table to draw her into his arms with more assurance than he usually felt.

But at this moment, he had no doubt. This was what he was supposed to do, console this woman like it was his reason for living.

And when she settled against his chest, resting her head on his heart, Titus wondered how he could ever let her go.

Chapter 9

This was the best Danica had felt all week.

Leaning on Titus and listening to the comforting thump of his heartbeat. His body was so big and warm, strength she could rely on. This… It was more than sex. More than chemistry, though they certainly had that in abundance. It was so easy to talk to him, no matter how deep or difficult the subject, and the warmth of him might honestly cure any ailment.Thatwas how good he felt.

Oh no. I’ve caught feelings.

Her first impulse was to shove him away and bolt, but that would make her seem demented, so she waited a few seconds, then extricated herself carefully.I was the one who asked for a hug.She ought to have known that sharing personal confidences was a bad idea. But he’d surprised her with his kindness regarding her family problems.

I promised I’d tell Clem if this escalated.

Titus was talking, but she hadn’t heard all of it. She focused as he was saying, “…busy tonight, but if you’re free, I’d love to have you over tomorrow. I’ll make something delicious, and you can meet Doris. Maya will be there, so it will be more like a family meal than a date. I hope that’s okay.”

Her heart turned over. He was inviting her home tocookfor her. And it scared the shit out of her how much she wanted that. To share Sunday supper with him, joke with his sister, and roughhouse with his dog, like there could truly be a place for her in his life. In his home. With every beat of her heart, she imagined how lovely it could be.

If she wasn’t a witch. If she wasn’t torn between two worlds and obligations to Gram and promises to Clem, who had torpedoed a functional relationship. For her.I shouldn’t have come today. I was fooling myself that this could ever be a simple fling with neither of us getting our emotions involved.

She forced a smile. “That sounds fantastic, but I’ve got plans with my cousin and some friends.”

“Members of your book club?”

“I’m surprised you remember.” It wasn’t a formal coven meeting, but Kerry and Priya were coming over to hang out. She and Clem were closest to them, though everyone in the coven counted as friends.

“Everything you say makes an indelible impression.”

Why did he have to be so…so wonderful? Not perfect but flawed in ways that made him even more endearing.

Why aren’t you from a witch family?If she followed in her mother’s footsteps, in time, she’d lose her magic entirely, and she would never be able to share everything with him. To Danica, living a lie sounded painful, a constant burden on the soul. She wondered how her mother had borne it all these years, if that explained the way Gram talked about her as if she was terribly fragile, already broken.

“You’re sweet,” she said softly. “But I should get going. You need to get back to work, and I have some errands to run.”

That was a blatant lie, an excuse to get away, but he didn’t know that. And she felt horrible for deceiving him—on multiple levels. When Titus smiled, she immediately wanted to kiss him.I’m in so much trouble.It took all her self-control to offer a cheerful wave to him and Maya, who was watching with unabashed interest.

“I’ll talk to you soon,” Titus called as she hurried out of the bakery.

I really shouldn’t.

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