Page 7 of Witchful Thinking

“Oh, those emails. I let those go to spam.”

“You’re gonna miss out on some good times,” Lucy insisted, putting her phone away.

“If anyone wants to know how I’m doing, they can follow me online,” Alex pointed out. “I don’t need my business being shared in the In the Grove newsletter.”

“You put your business out there anyway. Why not share it with the Grove?” Lucy retorted.

Alex gave her a “you got me there” single shoulder shrug. “I’m good. I’m honest with my followers. That’s enough for me.”

“Yes, because everyone is being honest online.” There was defiance in her tone as well as subtle challenge. She saw him force his lips to part into a stiff curved smile. It seemed that she’d hit a nerve with that comment. Alex showed the merman he wanted the world to see, not necessarily who he was in reality. Once upon a time, she’d thought she’d seen a true glimpse of Alex. Maybe that glimpse of him was what her heart wanted to see.

“You know, people do lie to your face,” he said sarcastically.

“You know I’m a terrible liar,” Lucy said, mimicking his tone.

“I remember.” He stuffed his hands in his pants pockets, looking away from her. She stared wordlessly at him, her heart picking up speed. Back in school, just before Valentine’s Day, Alex had innocently asked Lucy if she had a crush on anyone in their class. Lucy had taken one look at his gorgeous grin and felt like her chest was going to burst open like in a horror sci-fi alien film. Then she started babbling on about love charms and spells. She had tried to assess his unreadable features, but he was called away for a swim team meeting.

He didn’t ask her again, and she never brought it up.

Alex turned back to her. “Tell me what’s going on with you.”

The email flashed in her mind. Alex didn’t want to hear about her job or…underwear. Or did he? Lucy batted that question down. “Nothing much has changed, really.”

“I find that hard to believe.” Alex tilted his head. “Nothing changed in all these years?”

Dissatisfaction flickered through her. Not everyone went cliff diving with swimsuit models in the summer. She had the Grove community pool and a thrift store coverall to keep her cool during their heat waves.

“I’ve had the same phone number since junior year. Nothing’s changed,” she said.

Alex pulled up his contacts on his phone and held it up. “Is this still yours?”

Lucy worked her mouth to answer him, but only one word fell out. “Yeah.” He’d kept her number. The merman who didn’t keep the same address for more than a year had kept her number. Don’t read into that, a voice inside said. He probably forgot to delete it when he crossed the town limits.

Her high school nickname, Lu, and a photo of a witch’s boots standing next to a pumpkin were displayed. A pumpkin? Lucy flicked a questioning glance at him.

“I didn’t have a new picture, so I found a stock photo that reminded me of you,” he said, peering down at the phone. “Some things really don’t change.”

Lucy watched him. Did she hear wonder in his voice? Or pity? Through his feed she’d seen his life. Every year, there was a new home or a new job taking him all over the world. Only, this past year he’d stopped posting altogether. She hesitated to think what would happen if he was forced to stop in a place where he couldn’t immediately leave. Things had changed, but he wasn’t staying long enough to share himself with anyone, especially her.

He didn’t get the emails, and he wouldn’t reconnect with the Grove. It was nice that he’d kept her number, but he didn’t text or call. Ever. He was still the vagabond, the roguish merman. Small-town rhythms couldn’t compete with the lure of the many waters that appealed to Alex. When Nana taught her how to read tea leaves, she warned repeatedly, “Don’t look for what’s not there. Stop trying to shape the leaves to your will. Just read what’s there. Read what you see, not what you feel.” Open your eyes. He looked away toward the horizon, his lips drawn in and his shoulders tight. Lucy let out a small sigh. He wasn’t staying in the Grove for long.

“It was great seeing you.” She meant that.

“Same here,” Alex said.

Lucy held her arms out, too wide for a handshake but big enough for a hug. He hesitated for an instant, then stepped into her arms, embracing her tightly. Every part of her body felt deliciously warm, as if she’d been dipped into a hot bath. Lucy closed her eyes and breathed in. The years between them went away. The mix of sea salt and a hint of mint permeated through his clothes. He’d probably taken a morning swim today; the ocean blessed his body with its essence. Alex had always smelled that way. Even back in school, when she spoke to him by the lockers, she always caught a hint of pure sea salt over her shoulder. And now, whenever she sprinkled it into a spell or mixture she was working on, she thought about Alex.

She hoped he was safe.

Her heart scooted closer to the edge of crushing on him—again. No.

She stepped out of his arms, the warmth of his touch dissipating automatically.

“I should go. I have a family dinner tonight,” Alex said.

“I’m heading out, too. Give everyone my best.”

“I will.” He nodded. “I’ll see you around. Good night, Lucy.”

---