Page 10 of Extra Witchy

Leanne must’ve noticed something in his expression because her brows drew together, and she touched his cheek lightly. “You okay?”

He’d answered that question so many times. Breezily, lying through his teeth.Yeah, I’m good. No worries. Everything’s fine.

But, for some reason, he couldn’t be that guy tonight. Not with her. The simple deception wouldn’t come, even though he knew the script by heart. It was all about reassuring other people, setting them at ease, because if he told the truth, they’d be scared shitless of what he might do.

“No,” he said. “I’m not. I haven’t been in a really long time, and I don’t know why I’m telling you this, because it’s nothing to do with you.”

“You want to talk about it?” The offer surprised him. “Sometimes it’s easier to open up to a stranger than someone you’ve known your whole life. I don’t have any preconceptions about who you’re supposed to be.”

“You wanted to go for round two, not listen to my problems,” Trev said softly.

“Eh, you’re not a fuck machine. I’m not normally anyone’s first choice for serious topics, but what can I say? It’s been a weird night. Maybe it would do both of us good to step outside our usual roles.”

If you dump your issues on her, you’ll never see her again. Nobody would be interested if they knew—

Trev decided to nutshell it. “Basically, my life’s been in a holding pattern since college, and I never got over my last breakup. I’m not happy, but I pretend otherwise. In short, I’m a colossal waste of oxygen, and my parents were right to give up on me.”

“Bullshit,” she said. “The last part anyway. I just met you, but Iknowyou’re a good friend to Titus. And you’re…gentle. Not once tonight have you made me feel like you only care about getting sex. Honestly, you’re so nice that it’s throwing me a little.”

For a minute, he thought he might cry—beyondembarrassing. He closed his eyes briefly before responding, “Wow. Well, honestly, I was just so happy to be wanted…the whole night’s been like winning the lottery. The sex was fantastic, but I’m just…enjoying you. As much as I can before you realize you can do better.”

She smiled at him. “What if I never realize that? Will you date me?”

“Are you seriously asking?” Trev monitored her expression carefully, wondering if this was a joke.

“If I am?”

“Then yeah. I’d definitely see you again.”

“I’ll get your number in the morning. Would you hate me if I said I’m tired? I was all for going again, but the shower made me sleepy, and I have to be up early.”

Trev laughed at the amazing irony. “So you got us to hotel room to…cuddle?”

“Shut up,” she said. “Turn over. I’ll be the big spoon.”

Obediently, he rolled onto his other side, facing away, and she curled into his back. The feeling was…indescribable. Until this moment, he hadn’t realized how much he missed the warmth of someone snuggled up against him. When Leanne slid her arm around him, he put his hand over hers.

“I love this,” he mumbled.

“It’s not too late,” she said unexpectedly.

“What’s not?”

“To make some changes.” It seemed like she’d been contemplating his confession. “First, ask yourself what you want. That can be hard to figure out. Once you know, little steps will get you there eventually. Don’t give up, Trev. You can do anything you want.”

Nobody hadeversaid that to him. Not ever.

He fell asleep smiling.

Chapter 4

In the morning, Leanne woke up in Trev’s arms.

They had swapped positions at some point in the night, and he was curled around her naturally, his face buried in the bird’s nest her hair had become. Her phone was on the bedside table with 30 percent left on the battery. She had eight missed calls from Junie and a dozen smart-ass comments in the coven group chat, and she’d managed to stir before her alarm. Ever so carefully, she rolled out from under his arm and got dressed. She put her panties in her purse and wrangled her hair into a braid, fastened with the emergency hair band she kept in her bag. Her Fresh Face spell was starting to fade, cracking at the edges, so she carefully locked the door and whispered the words while the energy gathered before flowing outward over her skin in a shimmering ripple.

There, I’m gorgeous again.

Leanne rinsed her mouth with water then used the mouthwash the hotel provided.Can’t wait to brush my teeth.

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