Page 32 of Witchful Thinking

She swallowed a sigh. It was too easy to get lost in the way he looked at her like she was a lake he wanted to dip his toe and whole body into. Everything fluttered. Think of something else.

“What’s been going on with you?” Lucy asked.

“I had a conversation with my agent.”

“Okay now, look at you, Mr. Fancy,” Lucy said. “I didn’t know that you were that in demand. Should I pay for your time? I don’t want to mess up your hustle.”

Alex looked at her; a flash of humor crossed his face at her teasing.

“It’s not even like that. I had to settle a few things.” The humor faded away from him and was quickly replaced with disappointment.

“Like what?”

“I pushed back my gallery showing. I’m not going to be ready in time. I don’t like the photos I’ve been taking lately. I feel so—” He interrupted himself with a groan.

“Uninspired? Uncertain?” Lucy suggested.

“Yes, to both of those words. My agent’s great, but I can’t ask her to delay. I have to get my spark back.” Alex gave her a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Maybe being back in the Grove might spark something in you,” Lucy said hopefully.

Her heart went out to him. She knew what it was like to lose that creative spark and feel that everything you made or did wasn’t good enough to show the world. Currently, she felt that way about her teaching and was struggling to get that creativity back. There were a few professional learning programs she could apply for that might get her groove on, but she’d delayed putting in her applications.

“I’m definitely going to need some caffeine,” Alex said. “You didn’t get anything to drink.”

Lucy clicked her teeth in displeasure. “I know. I got distracted.” By your hands on my body. By your body hugged up on me.

“I heard their coffee is great.”

“I’m more of a tea person,” Lucy said.

Alex nodded, stood up, and went over to the counter. This accidental meeting didn’t need to be long at all. She just needed to hang out here until Marcus left, and then she’d be on her way—without her muffin or caffeine. Meanwhile, her attention darted over to the door, where Marcus moved to claim a single tabletop. Was he sitting down and taking out his laptop? Come on. What was she going to do? Rush out and go home? No, she couldn’t keep doing this.

She saw the possible path before her. Marcus would grab her hand as she left and look at her with those big eyes that were like hypnosis wheels, weakening her defenses until she was exhausted waiting for her soul to click. He’d croon and talk her into one coffee. Then that afternoon coffee would turn into evening drinks, and those drinks would turn into coffee…at his apartment after they spentthe night together. She didn’t even like coffee!

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

Marcus was familiar, just like the festival and just like everything else in the Grove.

He didn’t push. He didn’t demand anything from her. He didn’t click.

Marcus was there. She was there. It was easy. It was comfortable. She blinked back to the table and the present. She wanted more. She wanted excitement. She wanted…tea?

Alex placed a brewed iced tea on the table. He also placed a few honey packets next to the drink. He clutched his own coffee cup, saucer, and spoon as he sat down with her.

“It’s called Meadow Dew. It sounded refreshing.”

“Thanks,” Lucy said, cradling the cup in her hand. “How much do I owe you?”

Alex waved her off. “Consider it a thank-you. I finished those welcome-to-the-block blondies in a day.”

Pleasure sparked within her. “I can make you more if you like.”

“I don’t know. Hansel and Gretel would warn me about taking extra treats from a kindhearted witch,” he said in a husky whisper.

“I have other ways of fattening you up,” she joked.

“You are dangerous,” he said. His eyes dipped to her lips. He absentmindedly ran his thumb over his lips, as if pretending he was touching hers. Oh, sweet Atlantic. Lucy undid the lid of the iced tea to give her hands something to do other than touch Alex. She added honey to the drink, twirled her finger, and sent the ice cubes spinning with her thoughts. They fell into a companionable silence, with only the sounds of baristas calling out drink orders and the muted conversation in the café space in the background.