Page 38 of Witchful Thinking
“Take a picture. It’ll last longer,” Alex said, his voice seeming to simmer with barely restrained control. What would make him lose that restraint? Do you want to find out? That picture he suggested might last, but she wouldn’t. In five seconds, Alex single-handedly provided five months of late-night fantasy material.
“I wasn’t staring.” Lucy lowered her eyes to the sand. She wasn’t staring now.
“You weren’t looking away,” he retorted playfully. “Hand me my towel, please.”
Lucy noticed the towel hanging out of the sports knapsack by the stairs. When she brought the towel over to him, he shook the water off his body like an old-style shampoo commercial. She squealed as fat drops of water landed on her face, neck, and chest.
He took the towel, dried off his face, and flashed her a lopsided smile. “Sorry. Did I get you wet?”
Lucy bit back a sharp response. Don’t. Fall. For. It.
“I have to check.”
“You let me know.” Alex toweled off until he was dry. He dressed and slipped on his shower slides.
“What’s good with you?” Lucy asked. She kicked a few seashells and pebbles with her foot, unable to stand still. Being around Alex made her restless.
“I just went for a swim.”
“How’s the ocean today?” Lucy peered up into his eyes.
Alex nodded. “She’s good. How are you?”
“I’m on summer break. I have time to drink my tea while it’s hot.”
“You’ve got any plans? I wanted to check out the stores.” Alex motioned over to the shops that lined the boardwalk.
“I’ve got some time,” Lucy said. Her morning was free for her to do as she wished. There was a bridesmaid fitting scheduled for later this afternoon, but for now she was just relaxing. As for the fitting, Ursula gave her a choice of wearing either pale yellow or a sea blue. Lucy still hadn’t made her choice.
“Care to join me?” Alex gestured to the boardwalk. Lucy nodded. She brushed off as much sand as she could and slipped on her shoes. They went for a stroll on the boardwalk, their footsteps echoing on the planks. The oceanfront walkway was filled with colorful murals, sea-themed eateries, and beach bars. Alex’s face furrowed at the various storefronts.
“What happened to Bruce’s Arcade?”
“It moved a block to Ocean Ave.”
“I don’t see Yesteryear. Did it move, too?”
Lucy frowned. Yesteryear was a secondhand shop she and Alex frequented after school looking for hidden gems. She, like every Caraway witch, loved getting a bargain and didn’t hesitate to buy Pinterest-worthy outfits to supplement her professional work clothes from vintage shops.
“It closed this past winter. Ms. Lofton moved down South to be closer to her grandkids.”
“I’m happy for her, but I’ll miss the shop. I bought the best cameras there.”
“Well, there’s plenty of places to search for treasure in Freya Grove,” Lucy said. “The Freya Flea Market is coming. Not all treasure is silver and gold.”
Alex said nothing. Instead, he offered her a sudden, arresting smile that made her insides feel all glittery.
“How’s the soul mate search going?” Alex asked.
She might as well be real with him. “Uh, I signed up for a dating app.”
He slid an unreadable look toward her. “Oh, okay. I see my services are no longer needed.”
“No. Your services were great. I—I promised myself I wouldn’t, but I can’t keep you on the hook.” Lucy winced, mad that she’d made an obvious fish pun.
“I like being on the hook.” Alex winked at her.
“What happens when you start dating again? What are you going to say? Hello, this is Lucy. She’s my soul mate. Pass the seaweed.”