Page 63 of Witchy Woman

“I know you well enough now to know that you excel at everything you do. But I don’t need any gifts—I finally got you to admit that you’re head over heels for me.” His smile is smug. “I’m good.”

I huff. “Does having an ego that size ever get unbearably heavy?”

“I don’t know, Goldilocks. Does it?”

It’s annoying having a partner who isn’t afraid of you in the slightest. Who meets you blow for verbal blow and doesn’t let you hide behind the coping mechanisms that have kept you safe for years.

“For what it’s worth,” he continues, “I don’t think you have an ego. I think you’re confident and strong, and I admire the fuck out of you.”

That statement absolutely doesn’t make my eyes burn.

“What sort of things do you like doing when you’re not chopping wood, fucking me, or stealing my cat’s affection?” I bulldoze through the emotional moment.

“Belle does love me, doesn’t she?” His smile is large and genuine, full of affection for the little animal who chose me above anyone else. And I smile in return. “I don’t have a whole lot of time for much else, honestly. Between work, taking care of Dad, and now spending time with you. . . It doesn’t leave a ton of time for hobbies.”

That’s unfortunate. And also inspires the best gift idea I’ve ever had.

I hide my realization behind a coy smile and a continued walk in the market arm-in-arm with my soulmate.

Ash isn’t going to know what hit him.

Chapter 29

Axe Throwing

It takes the whole week to plan everything to perfection. A week of avoiding deep conversations with Grandma and Hazel during magic lessons. A week of keeping my mouth shut every time I’m around Ash, even though I’m so excited I’m threatening to burst.

A week of Belle begging me to spend the night at Ash’s every single night. The spoiled princess.

It’s all worth it when I drive up to Ash’s house and he’s waiting for me in the doorway on Christmas Eve. Wrapped up in some flannel faux-wool-lined jacket thing, hair a little bit longer than usual and perfect for tugging.

“There she is,” he says as I step out of the car. “My woman with her mystery plans. Do I get to know the surprise yet?”

He’s asked me that every single day for the past week—ever since I told him to keep Christmas Eve night open.

“No. I’m not ruining the surprise after keeping you successfully in the dark for a week. Don’t be silly!”

He eyes my car, planting his feet just a little firmer. “I’m not trying to fit in that little Prius, Goldilocks. So, you’re going to have to tell me where we’re going.”

I cock my hip, resting my hand on my side. “Or you can let me drive your truck and actually surprise you like I planned.”

He seems to debate the idea as he stalks toward his truck, eyes on me the entire time. “No one has ever driven my truck but me. Not even my dad.”

I roll my eyes. Boys and their toys.

“Luckily for you, I’m happy to be your passenger princess. Let’s get it!” He tosses the keys to me and by some miracle I catch them before they slap me in the face.

The drive isn’t long, but I may have overestimated my ability to drive this thing. It’s a behemoth and I swear I can barely see over the steering wheel.

It keeps me quiet, focused, as Ash plays Hozier and Noah Kahan for us.

“Axe throwing?” He finally sees the giant neon sign on the brick building as we pull into the parking lot. “I should probably be offended, but this looks fucking fun.”

“This is part one of our evening,” I explain, doing the worst parking job of my life. “Because you need more fun. You deserve to drink a couple beers, throw some axes, and spend time just relaxing with your brain turned off.”

Ash presses his lips to mine, pulling me closer with a strong hand on my neck. The angle is strange, all cramped in his truck, but the way he’s kissing me is so overwhelmingly good that I don’t feel the strain in my back.

“No one,” he says before diving in for another quick kiss. “No one has ever planned an evening like this for me.”