The next morning, waking up in Romy’s bed, I lay there and reflect on how at peace I feel. Now that I know what real happiness is, I realize how heavy the load of guilt I kept on my shoulders was.
Romy knows what happened. And she loves me anyway.
I feel like I’m home.
She stirs next to me, and I reach for her, and well, we can’t keep our hands off each other even though we’re probably both going to be late for work.
When we finally drag ourselves out of bed, I look around for my clothes. I was a little distracted when I got rid of my clothes with psychokinesis, and I’m not sure where they ended up. Hopefully somewhere here in Romy’s condo.
“They’re over here,” Romy says from across the room. She bends to pick up my jeans. “Oh, your talisman fell out.” She stoops again. When she straightens, she’s holding the small raven skull in her hand.
“You shouldn’t be able to pick that up,” I say slowly.
She looks down at her hand. “Oh. What does this mean?”
“To be honest, I’m not sure. I have a spell on it so I won’t lose it. Last time we tried this you almost were able to take it from me.” I walk closer to her. Her gaze moves from the object in her hand to me, tracking over my naked body. I stop in front of her.
She smiles. “Maybe it’s because you love me?”
I close my hand around hers and the talisman, feeling the heat of the object between us. A sense of wonder and rightness unfurls in my chest. I smile into her eyes. “It could definitely be that.”
28
Romy
“No family drama lately?” I ask as Kesha, Hannah, and I relax with glasses of Moscato in my living room.
“My family drama can’t compare to yours lately.” Kesha grins.
I laugh. “True.”
“You seem to be handling things pretty well,” Hannah says. “Who would have thought this is how things would turn out? Not only did you gain a family—and they’re all witches—you found a man!”
“Yes.” I give a little sigh of contentment. “Who would’ve thought?”
“Your whole life is different.” Kesha waves a hand. “Look at this place.”
I nod, sweeping my glance around the room at all the bright watercolor paintings on the walls, the new decor, the vase of fresh sunflowers. “It feels… like home.”
Like Trace told me the night we met. Home is more than shelter. It’s my sanctuary. It’s my gathering place for friends and family. It’s a center for my life.
“Like your home,” Kesha adds.
Trace’s love of home and family has definitely inspired me to make this place my own. I come home from work at Dream Homes, these days tired but in a good way because my day has been challenging and creative and fun, and walk into my safe haven. My comfort zone. And even more so when I’m joined by people I love—Trace. My family. And my best friends.
“I was afraid we would lose you as a friend because of your new family,” Hannah says.
My attention snaps to her. “What?”
She makes a face. “Your family is huge. Consuming. Plus they’re witches and I know there’s secrecy around it and we’re not part of that.”
“Oh no!” I stare at her in dismay, pressing my hand to my chest. “Don’t ever think that! I love you both! And I still need you!”
“Really?” Hannah tilts her head and looks at Kesha.
“Really! Truly! We have history and… and shared experiences. You two get me. You encouraged me to take that step, to find what was missing in my life. You knew.”
They smile and shrug. “Yeah, I guess we did,” Kesha says.
“I know it’s asking a lot for you to keep my secret. But you two are so important to me… if I had to choose between turning you into a potato or losing my powers, I would give up my powers in a heartbeat.”
They blink at me.
“Oh, Romy. You’ll never have to do that. We swear.” Kasha glances at Hannah, who nods vigorously.
“I know. I just want you to know that people are more important than powers. Though I do like doing good things with them. It’s very satisfying.”
“I need more wine.” Kesha lifts her glass.
I grin. With a twirl of my finger, her glass is full.
“That’s the best.” Kesha smiles.
“It’s a little thing. But it’s fun. Anyway, I’m grateful to both of you for encouraging me through this whole thing. Knowing I had you behind me helped me