Page 35 of Spell Ya Later

“We have our own apps. For protection, of course. No one wants Salem to happen again, and privacy is quite limited on human apps. I can show you both after dinner if you’d like.”

Laura and I are nodding vigorously before Grandma stops speaking.

“Is there a witchy counterpart to every app?” I ask.

“I’m sure we’ve missed a few of the more ridiculous apps. But witches must make a living, too. We have tech witches, artistic witches, medical witches...” Grandma trails off with a smile. “There’s a whole world out there. A world that has pride and embraces who they are.”

The anger that lives under my skin threatens to flare. I’ve been denied this world for over a decade. Who knows the person I could have been if I’d been raised in the magical world? Who would I be if my powers had been encouraged, not suppressed?

Would I have friends? A purpose in life?

Grandma’s eyebrows furrow as she reaches across the table to hold my clenched fist. “Breathe. There is no future in anger, only more anger.”

I lock eyes with her, allowing her calm breathing to regulate my own. I can only control my decisions going forward, not my mother’s decisions in the past.

“Anyway,” Laura says. “Are there magical dating apps? Because if there are, I need to know about it yesterday.”

I laugh despite myself. Of course that’s where Laura’s brain goes first.

“There are dating apps, yes.” Grandma rolls her eyes. “I willnotbe walking you through those.”

My phone buzzes and I sneak a look under the table as Laura and Grandma banter back and forth.

Noah: I hope you’re doing well today. I’d love to see you on Friday, are you free?

Does he have perfect timing or does he have perfect timing? My heart threatens to leap free of my chest and into my phone.

Hazel: I am very free. What do you have in mind?

Very free? Yikes.

Noah: It’s a surprise. I’ll see you after work.

“Earth to Hazel?” Laura smirks.

Grandma shakes her head, a fond grin on her face. She stands and leaves, presumably to check on dinner.

“Do you need any help?” I call after her.

“Don’t change the subject! Who are you texting? Is it that guy from the other night? Tell me everything, and don’t leave out a single detail.”

Well, I knew this day was coming. I couldn’t keep Noah a secret forever, but I thought I had more than a week, at least. Although considering how nosey Laura is, I’m lucky I was able to keep him to myself for this long.

“Yes, it’s the guy from the other night.”

Laura squeals. “Iknewyou liked him! Spill all the beans!”

The clinking of dishes comes from the kitchen as Laura and I bend closer together over the table.

“His name is Noah.”

“Noah is a hot name, but we already know he’sadorable. How many times have you seen him? Have you...?” She waggles her eyebrows. “Y’know?”

“Laura,” I hiss. “We are in Grandma’s house and she hears everything.”

A cackle comes from the kitchen over the oven beeping.

I raise an eyebrow at Laura. We’re literally in the house of a witch, did Laura really think she wouldn’t eavesdrop?