Page 33 of Witchful Thinking

“So, soul mate?” Alex asked, stirring his coffee. His spoon clicked against the cup. He removed the spoon and cleaned it with a long, lazy lick. His darkened eyes never left hers for an instant. He should get an award for what he did to that utensil. Mercy.

He hadn’t seen the email; she might as well rip off the bandage. Alex dropped the spoon, his brow raised in question.

“Let me have my tea first before I get into this.”

She took a long sip of her drink. The calming tea blend of chamomile flowers, rooibos, and lemon peels alleviated her fraught nerves. No guts, no glory. Lucy showed him the e-newsletter with that class note. Alex gave it a critical squint, his brows lifted in surprise as he read it.

“So, you’ve been busy,” Alex said, his voice resigned. “I didn’t know you were dating someone.” His eyes dipped down to his coffee cup.

Lucy lurched forward. No. Not like this. She pushed the words out. She didn’t want to lie to him, not over this wish. She touched her emerald earrings, remembering the lore. Emeralds aid you in having an honest tongue and open heart. Hold fast and speak true.

“It’s a spell,” she blurted out, shocked by the truth in her voice.

“What?”

Lucy lowered her head. “It’s a spell,” she repeated. Relief rushed through her body, causing her hands to shake. It felt good to be real. “I made a wish, and—oh man—it’s gotten out of hand.”

“So, there’s no soul mate?”

Did she detect a note of hope? Relief? Was this just wishful thinking?

“He’s out there somewhere.” I wish, she added silently.

Her senses pricked her sides like an itchy sweater. He stared into his coffee as if he were searching the foam for a secret message. His face tensed and his brow furrowed. She knew that look from all the times they had lunch after science class and he’d searched his juice bottle for answers to the upcoming test.

“What’s on your mind, Alex?”

“What did you wish for?” His expression became hungry, interested.

“Excitement. I wanted excitement in my life.”

“You teach high school. That sounds exciting enough to me.”

“Says the merman who cliff dives.”

“I’ll tell you a secret.” Alex motioned for her to come over. She leaned over the table;he moved in close enough that his breath tickled her ear. He was near enough that he would have kissed her cheek or neck or mouth just by moving in a few inches.

Shivers went down her back and settled in her stomach.

“I had to be pushed off that cliff,” Alex said.

“Of course.” Lucy laughed, forcing herself to lean back from him. If she was going to give in to her teenage dream, she’d rather wait for the right moment. There was a brief pause in the conversation. A small flash of wonder shone in his eyes as he watched her.

“How do you do it?” Alex asked quietly. “How do you stay still?”

A tight knot formed in her throat. Most days, she held on to the Grove with both hands, but on some days she held on by her fingernails. She’d sought excitement before, back in college, and her family had been worse off for it. While studying abroad in East Africa, she and her friends had gotten into a terrible accident. Everyone, thankfully, ended up with only bumps and bruises. Lucy never forgot the fear she heard in Mama’s voice when she called to tell her what happened. She’d been a heartbeat away from changing her family forever. She wanted excitement, but there was a cost. Lucy wouldn’t seek it again.

She became aware of the questioning gaze Alex gave her and took a deep breath, then said, “You make it work. You hold on to—something solid.”

“What makes you hold on?”

“It depends,” Lucy said honestly. “My job. My family. Having a home helps keep you grounded.”

“I’ll figure it out,” Alex said forcefully. “Horatio said he might be able to help me sell this house. I don’t know.”

Alex briefly explained the open house to Lucy. To her, it sounded like a good option for him. He wanted to travel, and having a home didn’t fit into his plans.

“Maybe you should sell.” It hurt Lucy to say it, but there was no reason for him to be miserable. She’d seen him many times over the last week, standing on the sidewalk facing the cottage with a blank stare. He and the house might be better off apart.

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