Page 60 of Witch Please

“That’s my cue,” the other man said. “Later, mate.”

Mrs. Carminian pretended to swoon as he left. “That accent! Tell me he’s single. My granddaughter is visiting and—”

“Your order?” he prompted.

“Right, I’ll find out somewhere else. You’re the worst at gossip.”

Maybe that was true, but he was thebestat overthinking, and he couldn’t shake reluctant curiosity about what would keep a guy like Gavin Rhys in St. Claire.

Chapter 18

“Hi, Mom!” Minerva’s call took Danica’s mind off Clem’s uncertain temper at least.

“Hey, Little Star. Everything good in your world?”

“Not entirely. There’s a witch hunter in town.” Before her mom could panic, Danica added, “Clem’s handling it. We’re okay, don’t worry.”

“Do you want me to come?” Mom asked.

“No, we’ve got this.” Without magic, her mom would be safe, but that also meant she couldn’t offer much help. There was no need for her to make the trip again so soon.

“If you’re sure. Have you talked to your grandmother?”

Danica shook her head, momentarily forgetting that it wasn’t a video call. “No, but I’m sure Gladys told her. The woman knows everything that happens in St. Claire.”

“True enough. Gladys says the trees whisper secrets.”

She blinked. “Is that possible?”

“Who knows? Every witch has a different relationship with her major affinity.”

Just then a customer came in. “I have to go, Mom. Talk to you later.”

She took a toaster oven in back and fixed it while the woman waited. Clem had already left for the day.

All day at work, Danica had flinched at every fulminating look, but Clem held it in. Danica didn’t look forward to what awaited her at home, and sure enough, when she walked in the front door, she found her cousin highly irate. Pacing, Clem wore a stormy expression, and she compressed her mouth like she didn’t trust herself to speak. For like five minutes, Danica watched this display until she couldn’t take it anymore.

“I was hoping you’d calm down if I let you be, but you’re like a double boiler right now. Just spit it out. Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out.”

“Gramknows.”

Instant ice formed in her veins. “Oh shit. What happened?”

“She ambushed me outside the shop, asking about Titus, and when I tried to obfuscate, she said, ‘Never mind, I’ll take care of it.’ Trust me, you do not want Gram paying attention to him. There’s no telling what she might do.”

“Fuck.”

Now she understood why Clem was so upset. When Gram interfered, it was never fun, less so for Titus. While the woman had invested her power in the spellbook that was currently malfunctioning, she had lots of connections, and many witches owed her favors. Her cousin wheeled on her.

“Exactly! I told you to end it. I told you! But now we’ve got a witch hunter in town, a problemIhave to deal with, Gram’s on a tear, and you’re introducing your mundane boyfriend to the coven? What’s wrong with you lately?”

When her faults were listed like that, Danica felt like shit. She felt her lips tremble, and goddess, she didn’t want to cry because Clem would accuse her of doing it to get sympathy, but everything was so screwed up. And her cousin was right.

It’s my fault.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

Seeing how sad Danica was seemed to mitigate Clem’s anger somewhat. Her cousin rounded the couch and sat beside her. She set a gentle hand on Danica’s shoulder. “The time for self-indulgence has passed. You know that, right? It’s time for damage control, and that means putting some distance between you and Titus immediately.”

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