Page 13 of Hexed & Hazy

I smile at her. “A good time.”

She rolls her eyes. “Uh-huh. And you’re sure they’re on the same page?”

“As far as I know.” I slide the portafilter into place, and espresso drips into the cup: a disposable with our floral logo. “Yeah. I think so.”

She shakes her head and presses her lips together as I pour the splash of milk and present her drink, giving her a hopeful smile.

“You really think there’s a way to figure this out?”

She rummages through her purse. “There are… a few. Some cleansing spells that may work, for starters, and we could attempt to track down the witch who performed the spell.”

“It sounds like you already have a plan.”

“Of course, I do.” She offers her cash, and I shake my head, taking a step back.

“Nope. First drink of the day is always free.”

“Since when?”

“Since you decided to help me from the goodness of your heart.”

“W-we’re friends.” She clears her throat. “And you’re important to my sisters—to all of them in a way, I suppose, but especially Laurel. Obviously, I’m helping.”

“Obviously.”

Her cheeks are redder than they were when she walked in. She turns away. “Come over tonight. We’ll get started.”

“On what?”

“Research.”

I groan. Only Rowan could make me read books—or whatever she plans to have us do to research.

She leaves before I can make a formal complaint.

Chapter 5

Rowan

Late into the evening, Laurel’s voice carries through the house.

“You’re here for Rowan?”

I cringe. Of course, she’s intervening in my planning with Seth.

It’s hard not to be jealous of my younger sister—everyone knows her, most people like her, and Seth is obsessed with her. Laurel is electric. She has unique green hair, she’s strong and fast, and she’s funny too. Charming, even. There are enough of us that we all blend into the background sometimes, I suppose, but being born so close to Laurel has made me especially invisible.

She would deny it, but it’s true. She’s my best friend and, though she may not know it, my greatest rival.

Seth’s voice is muffled through the walls. I climb out of my bed and creep down the stairs, finding the two in the middle of the dimly lit kitchen. Seth has changed out of his work clothes already, into a pair of soft pants and a sweater. Comfortable. Cozy.

I push my glasses up my nose, holding the vast grimoire under my other arm. “Shall we?”

“Shall you what?” Laurel asks, as nosy as ever.

“We’re studying hexes,” Seth says.

Laurel crosses her arms and presses her lips together. She’s always been protective of Seth, trying to keep him from the magical woes of witches. It’s been more impossible to do so over the last few years, and Laurel has gotten better at accepting it, but it’s still clear she’s fighting a war with herself.