Page 80 of Witchful Thinking
His body tensed in astonishment. He spoke quickly, trying to douse the rising shock within his body. No one knew. He couldn’t let anyone know that he was having second thoughts.
That he wanted to keep the cottage.
“Having a home is too much responsibility. Unexpected maintenance. Septic tank issues. Basement flooding.” He wasn’t even making sense, he was moving his mouth and hoping his words made sense.
“Do you have a basement?” Phoebe asked.
“No, but the attic can flood.” Alex fumbled for his wallet. He pulled out a few bills and placed them on the counter.
“All those things can be fixed.” Phoebe counted out the money, opened the register, and made change. “I guess you don’t like the neighborhood.”
“I love the neighborhood. I don’t feel like I’m a good fit.”
He didn’t take his change. Alex thanked her and left the store. A tumble of confused thoughts and feelings overcame him. It was the truth—he loved the neighborhood. The sights and sounds played out inside of his mind. Kids stayed out until the streetlights came on and then ran home, shouting goodbyes. Families returned home from vacations and day trips, carrying their sleeping children in their arms. Ms. Shirley chatted about the gnomes digging up her yard. Lucy tended to her porch garden every other day, whispering encouragements to the smallest plants. They, he assumed, like her students bloomed under her rapt attention. This summer he’d watched the neighborhood from a distance, and he’d fallen for this place.
He’d been asked by the Neighborhood Block Association about what dish he was making for the block party for Labor Day weekend. He’d looked at his calendar, checked, and felt his stomach sink. Labor Day was after the open house. He wouldn’t be around to bring a dish. He was going to sell the house. He didn’t want to stick around long enough to let anyone down.
Alex dropped his sign into his car. His phone beeped with a text notification. He checked it.
I’m at the starting line. Wish me luck. Meet you afterward back at the house.
He’d texted her GIFs of Wonder Woman being a badass superhero lady to show what he thought of her. She responded back with hugs and kisses emojis. Maybe he should’ve gotten her the seeds. He didn’t even know what seeds she liked. He smiled at the thought of her opening a gift box stuffed with flat seed packets. He’d even buy her extra pots and soil. The things you do for—Alex pumped the brakes on that word. Nope. Not now. Not ever.
“Hey, brother,” Horatio called out. He came over to him from Little Red Hen Bakery, holding a four-cup carrier filled with iced tea, wearing his usual shirt, jeans, and work boot outfit. “There’s only one reason someone smiles that big. You’ve got a special lady.”
“I don’t—I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Alex tucked his phone away.
“Please, everyone knows about Lucy. It’s about time.” Horatio went over to his pickup truck and placed the drinks on the front seat. “Well, it can’t be too serious.”
“Why do you say that?”
“She hasn’t seen your tail.”
Alex froze. Blood rushed to his face. Merfolk couldn’t become invisible, but he was damn well trying to disappear.
Horatio’s mouth dropped open. He lowered his voice to a stunned whisper. “She’s seen your tail?”
“It just happened! She was careful. It didn’t hurt.”
“She touched your tail!” Horatio said in a high-pitched voice. Did he have to sound like a Jersey Shore Steve Urkel?
Alex punched Horatio in the arm. “Can you calm down?”
“I mean sex is sex, but it’s your tail.”
“Don’t start.”
He’d never, ever let anyone touch his tail. Mom always taught them to protect their tails from any human. It was too personal, like someone cracking his chest open and tapping his heart with their fingertips. But Lucy had been so careful with him, and he could tell from her bright smile that she’d been satisfied by what she saw. He was laid bare on the dock under the moon and by the water, under her delicate touch. She’d seen him, and she hadn’t looked away or flinched. For one moment, holding her willing body against him and his soaked scales—the risk had been worth it. So what? She saw you. It wasn’t a big deal. He’d tried to show Nahla his tail, but she wasn’t around during the full moon. There was always another culinary experience she had to attend, or he had another photo assignment. Once Nahla asked him to stay home to save their relationship, to be her anchor, he struggled. They hadn’t stayed in the same place long enough to get to know each other. This realization settled heavily on his shoulders.
Horatio cackled. “Don’t let Mom find out. She’ll start planning the wedding.”
A swift terror gripped Alex. Who said anything about marriage?
They were only starfishes to each other. That was enough.
“I’m not staying,” Alex snapped. “I’m also not getting married.”
He’d barely been engaged. He had no business even thinking about getting married.