Page 80 of Witch Please

Maya nodded and put her hand over his like they were starting a team scrimmage. “And break!”

Chapter 24

Danica waited a week before she yielded to the temptation to check on Titus.

The spell hadn’t felt like it worked exactlyright,just a maddening tingle. But neither did it go catastrophically wrong. He didn’t call her or wander past the shop, which was a good sign, except that it made her feel terrible.

Maybe he’s already seeing someone else.

If so, that would be a good thing. Totally.

But Saturday afternoon, she figured she’d swing by the bakery. Just…a little light stalking of an ex.God, I dated Darryl for two years, and I wasn’t like this.She’d put the blocking charm Ethel had made in her purse, just in case. With a witch hunter around, searching for her magical signature, she couldn’t be too careful.

To her surprise, the shop was already shut, lights off and locked up tight. Sometimes they did wrap up early when all the baked goods were sold. No point in staying open for sporadic coffee sales when Sugar Daddy’s wasn’t the only coffee shop in town. As she stared through the front glass at the darkened storefront, Mrs. Carminian trotted by, walking her two adorable Yorkies, Fiddle and DeeDee.

“It’s sad, isn’t it?” the old woman said.

Danica turned, raising a brow in question. “What is?”

“I overheard them talking earlier. It seems like they’re closing the doors.”

Ice speared through her, right into her heart. “No way.”

“The business seemed to be doing well, but he and Maya were talking about shutting down today. Titus was telling her not to leave anything of value behind, and I heard from Mr. Stevewell that they left town in a hurry, driving hell for leather for the highway.”

“They’re coming back, right?”

Mrs. Carminian shrugged, not seeming too concerned. “How would I know? Guess we’ll find out sooner or later. I asked Walter to keep me in the loop, but he’s being cagey. If he puts a For Sale sign on this property, then I guess they aren’t.”

Walter Reynolds was a real estate agent; Danica had worked with him in setting up Fix-It Witches. Her mind racing, she waved as Mrs. Carminian finally yielded to the impatient tugging of tiny pooches and continued on her way. She could drive out to Titus’s place to check for herself, but that was clearly over the line.Maybe something’s wrong?

It bothered her that she had no clue what was going on with him. But why should she? She’d burned that bridge and been more of a bitch than she needed to be.

What if the spell messed up his life? Shit, what if Gram…

“Okay, that’s it,” she muttered. “I just need to check, that’s all.”

After dropping an emergency emoji in the coven group chat, Danica sprinted home, nearly a mile, and she wheezed for three solid minutes on the porch, skirting Goliath, who showed up hoping for a second snuggle session. She’d already tried to scry when a few of the others arrived, but her hands were shaking too much for the spell to work.

“Titus is gone,” she babbled.

It took about ten minutes and lots of interruptions to get the whole story out, then Ethel took over. “Let me look, sweetheart. Scrying’s my game.”

While Danica paced and chewed at her cuticles, the older witch settled in front of a copper basin. Vanessa hugged her while Margie made chamomile tea. Kerry still hadn’t arrived; neither had Priya or Leanne. Their day jobs were demanding. Clem must be dealing with the witch hunter, or she’d have at least responded in chat.

“Anything, Ethel? Anything? Did my grandmother—”

“I don’t think so. There doesn’t seem to be anymaliciousmagic attached, though I can’t be sure about the unintentional effects of the spell you cast last weekend.”

That was a kind way of saying that her working might have backfired. Again.

“It’s possible that the magic decided he’ll be happier if he leaves town for good? Gives up the life he’s built here for a fresh start.” Dammit, that didn’t sound like a decision Titus would make in his right mind. He loved St. Claire, and he was proud of the bakery.

Maybe I accidentally severed all the roots he’s put down here, made him feel like there’s no reason to stay? Oh crap. It was called a spell for Letting Go.

As Margie brought over a steaming cup of tea, Vanessa rubbed Danica’s back. Danica took a breath to center herself and said, “Okay. Hmm. Just…tell me where he is. Do you know? Can youfindhim?”

“Piece of cake,” Ethel answered.

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