Page 30 of Witchy Woman

“It must be hard watching him go through that.”

A twinge of color dances above the tree line now. It won’t be long until the sunrise.

“It’s the worst thing I’ve ever been through.” His voice trembles. “And there’s not a goddamn thing I can do about it. I can’t help him. The only thing that’s helping him makes him sick as a dog and there’s nothing I can do.”

Every cell in my body screams at me to touch him. To hold his hand. To comfort him in some way.

Still, I hesitate.

“You’re there for him. That’s more than a lot of people do.”

He chuckles, hollow and humorless. “He’s my dad, of course I’m there for him.”

“Not everyone feels that way about family. You’re lucky you’re so close.” I finally give in, sliding my hand into his. Electric sparks skitter up my skin and down my spine. “Despite how much it hurts.”

He squeezes my fingers, eyes dipping down to see the contact. As if he can’t believe I actually touched him.

I can’t believe I did either.

“Love is always worth the pain,” he says softly, just as the sun breaks the tree line. His face is awash in pinks, reds, yellows, oranges, and blues. I’ll remember his face in this moment for the rest of my fucking life.

The moment he gave the go-ahead.

The moment I dropped his hand.

I turn to the sunrise, trying to push down the swelling emotion. My eyes burn, but I refuse to close them. My heart beats so heavily, I swear it’ll rip right out of my chest.

“It’s freezing,” I say, rubbing my hands together. “Should we head back?”

I’m probably giving him whiplash at this point.

He frowns, disappointment highlighting the lines beside his eyes.

The world hangs around us, practically stopping as he studies me. With one last nod, his shoulders sag. “All right, Goldilocks. Wouldn’t want you freezing your dainty little legs off.”

And just like that, we’re back to our slightly antagonistic banter. I’m so much safer here, in my comfort zone. The softer side of him threatens to undo all my careful work.

Chapter 13

Whispers

Despite Grandma’s disapproval, I bring the Pruitt family history book to the market with me. Most of my time is spent here waiting for people to buy something, so it’s the perfect time to research.

Plus, I’m hoping if I look busy that Ash will stay away. I can’t even bear to look at him after this morning. He’s so good at pretending he doesn’t have a care in the world, but there are soft, wounded places inside of him that deserve to be loved and cared for. By someone who won’t kill him in the process.

Someone who isn’t me.

The idea of him with someone else—kissing someone else, touching someone else,fuckingsomeone else—causes jealousy thick and acidic to churn in my belly.

I think I’d hate every second of watching him move on with his life. Despite knowing it’s what’s best for him in the end.

My eyes flicker over the pages as I sift through the book. I feel like I’ve been through it five times, and I’m obviously missing something. I know I’m not the only Fire witch in existence, and I certainly can’t be the only one in my family line.

That’s ridiculous.

Wait.

There.