already knew that… but this really crystallizes in my mind that I do support her. And I will support her… no matter what.
Even if that means losing my powers?
I break out in a sweat. It won’t come to that. Surely to Mattsowder.
“I’m sorry you were dragged into this,” she says. “Mr. Cox shouldn’t have called you.”
“He knows I’ve been working with you.”
She frowns. “It feels a little paternalistic to me. I can speak for myself.”
Huh. You know what? She is totally right. The more I think about that, the angrier I get. My back molars grind together briefly. Why the fuck was Ziggy calling me? She’s an independent, strong-minded woman, and that’s something that should be valued, not disparaged. “Yes. You are absolutely right,” I finally say. “Next time I’ll tell him that.”
“Oh.” Her eyelashes flutter, and she presses her hand to her heart. “Thank you, Trace. But also, hopefully there won’t be a next time.”
Somehow I have a feeling there will.
“It doesn’t cause trouble for you, does it?” Her forehead furrows.
I haven’t told her what Ziggy said to me. And I don’t plan to. She feels badly enough. “I doubt it.”
She studies my face. “Felise and Magan told me that you have a future on the Board of Elders.”
I roll my eyes. “Nope. I don’t see that happening.”
“Why not?” Her gaze is steady.
“I don’t want to be part of that. Long story. It’s in the past.” I feel a nudge of guilt at not being honest with her. She’s been nothing but honest with me. But she doesn’t need to know what a worthless witch I am. “What time do you have to be back at work?”
She checks her phone for the time. “Ack! I better get going.”
“I’ll walk with you.”
I take care of the check, and we leave and amble along the sidewalk. The sky looks like one of Romy’s watercolor paintings in shades of smoke and silver, the air humid with no breeze at all. Romy makes a turn and stops in front of a tall office building. “This is where I work.”
I slide my gaze away from the granite-and-glass lobby to look upward. “Nice.”
“It’s okay.” She smiles. “Thank you for lunch. And the pep talk and advice.”
“You’re welcome.” I set my hands on her waist and give her a lingering kiss. “Talk later, okay?”
She nods and disappears into the building.
I walk past her building to the parking garage where I left my truck. This morning after her and Ziggy’s calls I was annoyed and frustrated. But after talking to Romy, after calming her down and listening to her perspective, I feel better myself. Things will be fine.
Back to work. I head to a reno project we’re doing in Ukrainian Village.
ROMY
I’m crushed about messing up the interviews. I was eager to please and wanted to show that I can bring something different to the witch world. I didn’t realize I was going to piss everybody off.
I just got home from work, and I’m lying on my bed, curled on my side. I hate feeling like this—like a loser. My insides are tied up in knots, and my temples throb.
I keep beating myself up over it. I hate it that they involved Trace, and I also hate it that they called Joe. What a great way to pay back everybody who’s helped me! I feel like a failure as a witch and as a family member.
Trace made me feel better though. The fact that he’d stick up for me just about knocked me off my seat in that booth at Murphy’s Pub. I was so filled with gratitude and elation I wanted to launch myself across the table and squeeze him until he couldn’t breathe. I wanted to drag him back to my place and do filthy things to him to show my appreciation. And… my love.
Yep. I’m falling in love.
Which is Not Good because obviously I’m never going to be good enough for him. He’s a special witch, and I’m a screwup. Not only did I humiliate myself, I humiliated him. Also, he clearly values his relationship with the Candlers too much to put it at risk.
Tonight Kesha and Hannah and I are going to the Singing Horse. We haven’t been out for a while, and I invited Felise and Magan to join us. They’re going to come later. We’re all going to sing karaoke.
I drag myself off my bed to change into a pair of jeans and a sleeveless black top and freshen up my makeup.