Page 59 of Just Like That

I opened the car door with a huff.

“Hey ...” she started. “I’m so sorry. I heard you pull in and then you were out here for a while ...” Nerves rolled off her small frame. She took two steps back. “You know what? I should go, I’m sorry. You look like you need a minute. I shouldn’t have?—”

“Stop.” I stepped from my car and shut the door behind me. I leaned against the car, and my arms hung at my sides in defeat.

Hazel stood, frozen in the darkness as she stared up at me. In the moonlight, the strands of her strawberry blond hair were silver wisps.

I reached forward to clasp her wrist. I closed my eyes with a heavy sigh and pulled her closer.

I didn’t know what I was doing. It was very likely a mistake, but I needed something.

I neededher.

“Come here.” I wrapped my arms around her and Hazel sagged into me. Her arms wound around my waist and she squeezed. My head fell on top of hers and I breathed in her warm, citrusy scent, filling my lungs and holding it inside. If I could focus on her, I wouldn’t have to think about anything else.

My bones were so tired it amazed me I was still upright. All five foot six of her was holding me up, and she didn’t even realize it.

My eyes burned and my throat was thick as I released her. “Ah ...” I cleared my throat. “Thanks.”

Hazel was looking up at me, waiting for me to make sense of my actions. My hand found her face. “Thank you,” I said again, this time with more intention as I gazed at her pretty face.

Her smile was soft and sweet. “You keep thanking me, but I’m not sure what for.”

My eyes bounced between hers. A wry chuckle bubbled in my chest. “Honestly, I don’t even know either. Being here? Stepping up and being a good mom for Teddy? Hell if I know.” I looked down at her and my fingertip brushed away a rogue strand of hair. “All I know is it was nice to not come home to a cold and empty house tonight.”

Her brown eyes were shaded in the moonlight. “Even if I am a squatter?” she teased.

A smile twitched the corner of my mouth. Sparring with her was exactly the levity I needed. “And a witch,” I added.

The musical notes of her laughter soothed my soul. She playfully rolled her eyes. “Obviously a witch. Always.”

She stepped away, but my hand grazed the thin skin on the inside of her arm. I needed that connection, to feel her warmth, even if I didn’t know what that meant.

Her warm eyes looked up at me as I watched the tears shimmering along her lash line. “I’m so sorry about your mother.”

My thumb grazed the outside corner of her eye, brushing the tear away. “You don’t have to cry for me.”

Her wet lashes closed, and she squeezed her eyes tight as she whispered, “But if I don’t, who else will?”

Her words were a dagger to my heart. My hand moved to her face, tipping it backward and urging her to look at me. My thumb brushed her cheek as I studied her features. “I don’t want to make anyone cry—least of all you.”

My eyes dropped to her mouth as her lips parted on an inhale. My thumb dragged across her lower lip.

She was too young.

Our situation was far too complicated.

She deserved a man who wasn’t me.

I lowered my head and placed a whisper of a kiss at the corner of her mouth. Her quick inhale was nearly my breaking point, but I pulled back.

“Good night, Hex.”

TWENTY

HAZEL

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