Page 68 of Obsession

“Very well. Change your mind, you know where to find me.”

Hopping in my car, I drive across town to Charlotte’s apartment. It’s a cute two-story, two-bedroom townhouse located near the University of Memphis. She greets me with a hug and I follow her inside to the kitchen. “Coffee? Or something stronger?”

“Coffee. Alcohol will only add tears to the story.” She pours us both a cup, and I relay last night’s turn of events.

“I’m sorry. It’s just an awful situation,” she says, sipping her coffee.

“If Damion would have just kept it in his pants for a few more days, all of this would have been avoided!” I know I’m having a pity party, but I can’t help it.

“Very true. But to play devil’s advocate, he is part incubus. And you were broken up, and all his feelings for you were magically erased,” Charlotte gently points out. “He was the victim of dark magic. It really wasn’t his fault.”

“I know that.”

“He also could have just not told you he slept with her. Instead, he was honest.”

“Ugh, you’re spending too much time around a Nephilim lawyer, because you’re making an excellent case for Damion. Look, I know you’re right.”

“So what are you going to do?”

What am I going to do? The small part of me wants to make him feel what I feel, but if I go down that path, it will probably just finish what Bettina’s spell started. “I guess I do nothing for the time being until I figure it out.” Can I live with what he did, or can I live without him? Those are my options. My options suck.

Returning to the shop, I find an abracadabra rose in a small vase on the counter next to a pint of vanilla ice cream—our little inside joke. I walk to the break room to grab a spoon when my phone chimes:

Damion: She’s a forgiving witch with a big heart. He’s a foolish Cambion that made a big mistake. Together they’ll work through this. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are team Daubry of next season’s House Guest. And my girlfriend has a hot bod and the amazing ability to see a situation from another person’s perspective.

Me: I need more time.

Damion: Whatever my wanton witch needs.

Me: I haven’t decided if I’m still your wanton witch.

Harsh, I know, but dang him for putting me through what he did, only to end the hex, only to learn he screwed a succubus. There’s still a whole lotta hurt and anger tangled up in that hot mess.

The next day, Amelia and Florence drop by the shop for some oils and candles. “Aubry, dear, I heard all about your ordeal. You just say the word and I’ll hex your beau,” Amelia offers. Ah, the real reason for her visit. She loves juicy gossip as much as Florence.

“Aubry, darling, Vivian tells us you still have your angelic admirer. Maybe now’s the time to give Chris a go,” Florence suggests.

“Vivian’s right. You should have a free pass since your beau got one,” Amelia agrees.

“You don’t have a ring on your finger, so I say it’s perfectly acceptable to play the field,” Florence adds emphatically.

“Thank you, ladies,” I say, ignoring them both as I hand them their bags.

“Just let me know if you want me to bake a southern caramel cake for this new angel admirer of yours,” Amelia tells me.

“If you want to actually keep a man this time, let me bake your cake,” Florence offers.

Bickering as they walk out, I thunk my head on the counter.

Closing up shop a few minutes early to get ready for dinner, I walk back downstairs to find Chris and Damion glaring at each other. I know the door was locked.

“What are you doing here, Choirboy?”

“I should ask you the same thing, Cambion, seeing how you threw her away like a plaything you tired of.”

Damion’s eyes glow and Chris’s skin begins to shimmer. “Stay the fuck out of our relationship—you don’t know the first thing about it,” Damion says in a chilling demonic voice.

“I know you couldn’t have felt much for Aubry if you tossed her aside the second a witch smeared dog shit on a piece of paper,” Chris taunts.

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