Page 58 of Witch Please

She aimed a sideways glance at him, drinking in his profile. “Why?”

“You’re not saying much. I’m afraid you’re afflicted with hookup remorse.”

His word choice stung a bit.Is that what this was for him?If so, maybe she didn’t need to feel bad about getting off and getting out.

With effort, she tried to shake the bleak mood. “No, I’m good. How could I regret sex as awesome as that?”

“Really?”

Danica raised a brow. “Are you seriously fishing for compliments after the fact? It was pretty evident that you rocked my world.”

Titus cleared his throat, and when he spoke, he still sounded strangled. “I did? Wow. Okay, that’s…excellent feedback.”

He seemed strangely startled by the revelation. Had prior partners not praised him? Just thinking about him with someone else pissed her off, and she crossed her arms, irritated with herself for being jealous when she had no right to be with him in the first place. By the time they pulled up outside her place, she was calm, at least.

Only the house was lit up like Clem was throwing a hell of a party, and she recognized all the cars parked in the drive and on the street. It wasn’t time for their regular coven meeting, but everyone was gathered nonetheless.Looks like a magical intervention.Or she hoped it was that and not an emergency related to the witch hunter.

Her heart racing, she turned to Titus. “Thanks for dropping me off.”

“It looks like you have friends over.”

“I guess so. Clem must’ve felt like being social. I’d invite you in, but…” Hell, she couldn’t even come up with a good excuse.

Judging by the way his face fell, he agreed. “No, I get it. You probably aren’t ready for me to hang out with your friends.” His tone, though, goddess, his tone ached with sadness.

This is a terrible idea, especially when I’m breaking it off. I shouldn’t.But she couldn’t let him drive off thinking she saw him as a fuck boy. Not when he was everything she wanted and couldn’t have.

“It’s not that,” she said. The reason to explain her hesitance arrived in a burst of brilliance. “I’m afraid they’ve been drinking. They might try to get you to strip.” Leanne, definitely, Vanessa, probably. Ethel, maybe. Priya and Kerry would leave him alone. Margie was a sweetheart even under the influence, and Clem had a mean streak. “Just keep your clothes on, okay?”

Now he looked amused and mildly alarmed, much better than the hurt from before. “Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll run if they get handsy.”

***

Titus rolled his shoulders as he came around to open Danica’s car door.

He hadn’t realized he was tense until it seemed like she was icing him out. But really, he was always watching her, waiting for some sign that she was like everyone else—that she already had a foot out the door. There had to be something about him, something that drove people away. Nobody apart from his sister and his dog seemed to think he was worth sticking around for, and it didn’t matter how much he did at the station or how much he gave back to the community. Good deeds kept him busy, but they didn’t earn him love.

Honestly, it was funny that she was worried about her friends perving on him during girls’ night. He could handle some of that, as long as Danica came with the mild drunken harassment. He didn’t seriously think she’d let anyone grope him, but still. Her concern was endearing.

She climbed out of the car and beckoned. “Let’s go. I’m sure there’s food. As I recall, I didn’t even let you eat dinner.”

Titus chuckled as his stomach rumbled on cue. “I’m not sorry about the delay, but Iamstarving now.”

Inside, there was music playing, a pop singer with a catchy hook, and he heard a lot of women talking. Danica called out, “I’m home. Titus is with me!”

He didn’t think the announcement wasthatmomentous, but the music cut off, and a slew of women crowded into the front room. Though he hadn’t put much thought into what Danica’s friends would be like, this group was more diverse than he would’ve expected. Clem stood near the back, arms folded, and, yeah, her stare was confrontational, bordering on hostile. He remembered Kerry and Priya from the fire call, and the rest of the women seemed familiar, like maybe he’d seen them around town.

“Nice to meet you,” he said, shifting a little under the intense scrutiny.

Danica shot a look at her cousin that he couldn’t interpret, then she said, “Let me make the introductions. This is Ethel.” She indicated a curvaceous woman in her late sixties or early seventies with silver pixie-style hair. She wore a flowing rayon dress, lots of beads, and bright-pink lipstick.

“Charmed,” Ethel said, extending a hand.

He shook it instead of kissing it, but from the old woman’s expression, maybe that was the wrong call. He turned as Danica pointed out everyone else. Margie was in her forties with medium-brown hair and tired eyes. Vanessa was dark-skinned with pretty braids and delicate bracelets marching up one arm. He nodded to Kerry and Priya, whom he’d met before, while Leanne undressed him with her eyes. Now he saw why Danica had been worried. Leanne had red hair, a spray tan, and she looked like she wanted to eat him on a cracker. Danica put a plate in his hand, and he ate absently, listening to multiple conversations—work, child support, books, and vacation plans. He wished his poker nights were this entertaining.

Danica went into the kitchen with Ethel and seemed to be buying some sachet bags. That was sweet, likely serving to augment her friend’s fixed income. Or maybe she just really liked making her clothes smell delightful.Hecertainly appreciated it.

“Nice to meet everyone,” he said eventually. “Since I don’t want to intrude further, I’ll let you get back to ladies’ night.”

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