Page 35 of Witchy Woman

Tears shine in her eyes. “I think that’s entirely understandable. And no one is going to convince you otherwise until you’re ready.”

That’s oddly validating. My thought process isn’t so ridiculous that Grandma can’t follow the logic. “But you think I’m wrong?”

“I’m not going to tell you what you feel is wrong. That would be unfair and incorrect. You feel the way you feel. But Ithink working through those feelings may lead you to a different perspective.”

I laugh. “Way to say I’m wrong without saying it.”

She shrugs, a soft smile dancing on her lips. “You said it, not me.”

We chuckle together, the heaviness of the conversation lifting off our shoulders and into the cold winter evening.

I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I do know I’m not going to do anything until I’m ready. And not a minute before.

Chapter 18

Say It

The next day at the market, Hazel shows up as the day is winding down to drop off some merchandise.

“Why do you keep looking at me?” I finally demand after thirty minutes of her flicking her eyes over to me like I’m some sort of fancy museum exhibit.

Her smile is conspiratorial, as if we were just gabbing about a secret. “I...Well, I got home early last night, and I may have accidentally overheard part of your conversation with Grandma.”

Fucking shit.

“Leave it alone,” I demand.

Drop it, Hazel. Please drop it.

“Is he really? Is Ash really...” She trails off.

She’s not going to drop it.

I huff a frustrated breath. “What? Is hewhat?”

All the good feelings from my conversation with Grandma fall away, leaving the twisted anger and fear that burn like flame in my gut. I’m not ready to share this with her. I purposelydidn’tshare this with her, and crossing my boundaries like this is bullshit.

“Is he your soulmate?”

I cringe at the word. I’m not a liar, but I know what she’ll say. She’ll tell me that I deserve love, that I deserve what she and Noah have. It’ll be meant as a compliment, but it isn’t one. Do I deserve to lose the one I love? To turn into a monster because I got the person I love kidnapped or killed?

I like to think I don’t deserve that.

The scent of warm fire, evergreen trees, and musk overwhelms me. Fuck.

“Answer her.”

I turn to find Ash standing there, radiating palpable frustration. His normally evergreen eyes are a forest in the middle of a storm.

I can’t force air from my lungs—no words or breath. I’m consumed by the myriad of emotions pouring off him. The cautious optimism that flutters around him like fireflies at dusk. The frustration of being held at arm’s length. The longing that clenches his fists.

“Answer her, Goldilocks,” he repeats, his voice trembling just a tad.

Shit.

I open and close my mouth a few times. My silence is more powerful than anything I could’ve said.

Hazel’s mouth falls open as she watches the exchange, as she watches Ash take one single step forward.