Page 13 of Witchy Woman

“That’s fair.” He comes in close, but not touching. Never touching. I get the feeling that’s the line he won’t cross. Not until I tell him to. The thought makes me shiver. “Come with me somewhere tomorrow morning.”

I scoff, even though the idea of going anywhere with Ash Cedar causes an unwelcome frisson of glee to slide up my spine. “Does that usually work? No details, no real plan? Just ‘come with me’?”

“Work in what way?” His half smile curves up on one side, and suddenly I want that beard scratching every inch of me. “Are you implying something untoward?”

A cool breeze stirs the tent, bringing with it the scent of snow. And him.

Instead of answering, I glare at him. Maybe if I turn mute suddenly he’ll think I’m insane and simply go away.

“So, whaddya say, Goldilocks?” He smirks and gives me a nonchalant shrug. “I mean, I can always take the tent back down.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

The cocky expression on his face says he absolutely would. I heave a giant breath and throw my hands in the air. “Fine! I’ll accompany you to whatever utterly archaic activity you have planned to say thank you for doing something no one asked you to do.”

He shifts, drawing attention to the strain of his shirt across his chest. His presence is overwhelming. I need to get him away from me before I do something ridiculous like hit him for being so attractive.

Or worse. Kiss him.

“I’ll need your phone number. So I can come and get you in the morning.”

“Absolutely not!” I shake my head and step back. “Why don’t you just tell me when and where to be, and I’ll show up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed?”

“Because I’m not an idiot. I do that, you won’t show up.” He chuckles, obnoxiously warm and bubbly and bright. “Give meyour phone or I’ll stand here all goddamn day bothering your customers until you do.”

Fuck you, you giant monster.

I hesitate for a beat—two—before I finally give in. Seems I can’t say no to him as easily as I like to think.

As I hand him my phone, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m making both the biggest mistake of my life and the best decision I’ve ever made.

Chapter 6

No One Likes A Kiss-ass

Ash is right about it snowing today, and that puts me in a pissy mood. Not the snow itself—for a Fire witch I’m actually quite fond of snow.

No, I’m just pissed off he was right about something.

The hulking brute.

He does, however, stay away from my booth after he gets my phone number, which is both a blessing and a curse. Being so close to him is weakening my defenses.

I step into my old Victorian home at the end of the day with exhaustion weighing me down. I practically collapse on the carpet in the foyer.

Until I smell lasagna.

The best thing about Noah? His Nonna Ricci. I’ve never met her myself, but he frequently brings her food to the house—and Lord Almighty that woman is a saint. Blessed by the heavens to be the best cook in the world.

Which I would never mention in Grandma’s presence.

I follow my nose to the kitchen to find Noah draped around Hazel’s back, kissing her neck as she pretends to wave him off.

A pang of jealousy rises up to catch in my throat. Hazel has everything now. I don’t even recognize us anymore.

She has a soulmate she’s entirely unafraid of being in a relationship with, despite the overwhelming evidence she’s being dumb as fuck for having him in her life. She has a passion she’s making a business out of.

Just looking at her is a reminder of everything I don’t have. Including a good relationship with her.