Page 34 of Wedded Witch
I must look really rough with the level of concern he’s showing me.
“I can’t imagine how overwhelming that must be. If you ever want to talk about it, I’m here.”
His sincere kindness catches me off guard, pushing back against the loneliness that’s been gnawing at me. “Thanks,” I say, with a tight smile, wanting to change the subject. “I appreciate it.”
He leans forward, resting his arms on the table, concern still etched in his features. “Just promise me you won’t try to handle everything alone. You have me, and I want to help you.”
Do I have him?What does he mean by that? Does he think we’re in some sort of relationship now because we shared a kiss? It was a hell of a kiss, granted, but he doesn’t suddenly owe me anything.
Despite my thoughts, I find myself nodding, feeling a flicker of hope amidst the shadows. “I will. I just…sometimes it feels like I’m a magnet for trouble.”
“Welcome to the club. We’re all a bit cursed, in our own way.” My heart freezes at his use of the word ‘curse’ but thenhe chuckles softly, and it feels like sunlight breaking through clouds.
It’s such a different sound from his deep belly laughs last night, but no less lovely to listen to.
For a moment, the tension in my chest eases. I find myself smiling back, a genuine smile that chases away the darkness, if only for a little while. “Guess we’re in this together then.”
“Exactly,” he replies. “Let’s figure it out as a team.”
As we sit there, the diner buzzing around us, I realise that maybe I don’t have to face this alone after all. I may have run from my family and friends, but there’s no reason why I can’t make new friends while I’m here.
And for whatever reason, Kel seems to want to get to know me better. I may not be ready to tell him everything, but maybe I can drop some hints and get some more information about that town that may be useful.
“Can I join you for dinner?” he asks, a hopeful glint in his eyes. “I promise I won’t bite.”
I laugh softly, the sound easing the last remaining tension that was still lingering. “Sure, why not? I could use the company.”
A relaxed smile spreads across his face. “Great. What are you having?”
“Cherry Pie. It’s amazing and my favourite,” I say, pointing to the dessert menu. “And the coffee is strong enough to keep me awake for days.”
He chuckles, ordering a slice of pie for himself. “Perfect. So, tell me about your life back home in…Wales, wasn’t it? What was it like?”
I pause, the question catching me off guard. We talked a lot about ourselves last night, but we didn’t really venture into this. Did I tell him I was from Wales? Maybe he just recognises my accent.
I haven’t talked about home in so long, the memories tangled with both warmth and sorrow. “It’s beautiful,” I say slowly, the words feeling bittersweet. “Mountains, valleys, and the sea. It has this wild, untamed energy that I love. Something about it suits me.”
“Sounds incredible,” he replies, leaning in with genuine interest. “What do you miss most about it?”
I take a moment to think, my mind drifting back to sunlit afternoons spent wandering the cliffs, the scent of salt and earth in the air. “The quiet moments, I guess. Just being able to walk outside and breathe in the fresh air. It’s different here. Everything feels off. There’s fresh air for days out here in the middle of nowhere, but it’s not the same.”
His gaze is soft, understanding. “I can imagine. It must be a big change.”
“It is,” I admit, feeling the weight of my journey. “I left because…well, things got complicated. I needed to find my own way.”
“Complicated how?” His voice is gentle, inviting me to share more.
I hesitate, weighing how much to reveal. “Family stuff. There were expectations, pressures. I felt like I was drowning in them.”
“Sounds tough,” he says quietly. “It’s brave of you to come here and start over.”
A small smile tugs at my lips. “Thanks. Sometimes I wonder if I made the right choice. I’m not sure how long I’ll be around for anyway, so I guess I can always go back or move on.”
He meets my gaze, sincerity etched in his features. “You did. Make the right choice I mean. You’re here now, and you’re figuring things out. That takes strength. I hope you stay a while longer.”
We share a moment, the connection deepening as I realise how much I appreciate his presence. The diner hums around us, but it feels like we’re in our own world.
“So, what about you?” I ask, eager to shift the focus back to him. Maybe it’s time to get a little more personal with the questions, beyond favourite movies and first concert ever watched. “What’s your life like here?”