Page 38 of Boss Witch

“About what?”

“Whatever has you so distracted. I’m not taking offense that you can’t give me your complete attention, but you seem quite agitated. Your hand’s been curled into a fist for the last five minutes, and that’s after drinking the beer. I bet your whole body’s tied in knots.”

He was surprised to find that she was right. Deliberately he uncurled his hand and rolled his neck, but he couldn’t pop it. There were hard limits on what he could share with her, but maybe he could provide some semblance of an explanation.

“When I was a lad, my grandad fell in love with someone…unsuitable. Da disapproved, and they quarreled. I’ve not heard from my grandfather in twenty years. Today, out of the blue, I got an email from him, and the news was…unsettling. Not sure what to make of it yet. I suppose you’d say I’m still processing.”

Clem stared at him, eyes wide. “Twenty years, wow. Were you close before…everything happened?”

“We were.” He appreciated her for not requesting more information than he’d provided, because it would be impossible to articulate why Grandad’s partner was inadvisable.

Possibly, he could’ve let her think his dad was homophobic, but it wasn’t the fact that grandad ran off with another man that bothered Jason Rhys. Of all things, the man was a sodding witch, one Kevin Rhys had been sent to deal with, complicating matters further. And Gavin had spent his whole life proving there was nothing wrong with the Rhys line of hunters; they weren’t collaborators or traitors.

“It’s not okay when parents get their children involved in issues like that,” she said. “My parents are divorced, and I feel like they’re constantly trying to get me to pick a favorite or validate their questionable life choices.”

Gently Gavin cupped her chin, tilting her shadowed face up so he could see her expression. “Did something happen?”

“Just more of what is, unfortunately, my normal. My dad’s in town with my fourth stepmother, and she’s younger than I am by four or five years.”

“Yikes.”

She lifted a shoulder, feigning indifference so well that he almost believed her. “Divorce is the gift that keeps on giving.”

“How many times has your mum been down the aisle then?”

“Twice. Once with Barnabas and again with Dougal. There’s no arguing that it’s Barnabas’s fault—­he’s a serial cheater—­but sometimes I blame her for picking him in the first place. If my mom was a better judge of character, my life would be less messy. I know that’s not fair, and I’d never say that to her, but—­”

“It’s how you feel. I can understand that. Feelings don’t have to be fair as long as we’re not hurting others with them.”

She smiled fully for what might be the first time since he’d picked her up. “You’re a good listener, English.”

“Ah, there it is. I’d almost forgotten where I’m from, but now you’ve reminded me and it’s all good.”

Clem laughed, pointing out, “You don’t say ‘bloody’ or ‘bollocks’ nearly as much as I feel like you should. Isn’t there a quota?”

“Would it make you feel better if I called you a—­”

“Nope,” she cut in.

“You don’t even know what I was about to say,” Gavin objected.

“True. And let’s keep the mystery alive. Are you hungry?”

“I am. Shall we soak up some of the liquor so I can drive us back?”

“Sounds awesome.” She patted her bag, and he had no idea why, until she added, “I have clean underwear, a toothbrush, and a box of condoms in here. Just so you know.”

He blinked. “I collect that means you’re planning to stay over.”

“It’s not really a plan, per se. But I’m ready and willing if you want me.”

IfI want you? What nonsense is that?

“I want you,” he said huskily. “In a little while, I’ll prove precisely how much.”

Chapter 12

Clem wished this moment didn’t feel so right or so inevitable.

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