Page 48 of Hexed & Hazy

Before I can step outside, she follows, waiting for me at the door, even once the blustery air blows in.

“We’ll see each other soon, right? We still have to interview Scarlet.”

“Yeah.” I don’t look at her. “Soon.”

We’re close to breaking the hex. We have to be. That should make me lighter, more certain of whatever happens next, but it doesn’t. When it’s all over, Rowan will probably be dating David and…

She’ll be another person who’s too busy for me, someone else who regrets spending time on me.

I don’t want to be the cause of that regret. She deserves better.

But none of that is why that heavy feeling returns when I walk home.

Scarlet Moreau is either the one who cast the hex, or she’s going to kill me once I accuse her. And honestly? Out of everyone, I’d deserve it most from her.

Chapter 17

Rowan

When I slink into bed, all I want to do is sleep, but the missed call on my phone is taunting me.

David is likely going to cancel and tell me I came on too strong by asking for a first date during the Lovers Ball. If the roles were reversed, I would have said as much. Everyone in town will see us dancing, and it’s Starbrook; of course, rumors will spread like witch fire. It’s unlike me to want something so public. I can’t blame him for walking it back so quickly.

And perhaps I should delay answering. Most people would after the night I’ve had, but I’ve never been one to avoid a call.

I close my eyes, lift my phone, and press call. The ringing, loud in my ear, drags. I count each beat, hoping he won’t answer.

“Hey,” David says, his voice low and husky.

“Good evening.” I bite the inside of my cheek, restless in the moment of silence. Will he speak next, or will it be me? I’ve always despised phone calls, even if they’re a necessary evil in my line of work. “You called a bit ago. Sorry for missing it.”

“It’s all right. Just wanted to talk to you before our date.”

I chuckle. “Most people would text.”

“Maybe, but I enjoy calling. I wanted to hear your voice.”

He wants to get to know me, and that’s something I want to want as well. It’s something I want to accept. If nothing else, he’s a surprisingly reassuring presence; the rumble of his voice lulls me as I turn onto my side.

“I will admit, you’re a welcome distraction tonight.”

“Yeah? Seth giving you a lot of trouble?”

I roll my eyes, even though he can’t see it. “Of course. You know how he is.”

There isn’t a bit of truth behind my words. I’m the one bringing trouble for Seth—trouble in the form of haywire, failing magic. Trouble like me breaking down to him, hating myself in front of him so loudly. Louder than I’ve ever been.

At least with Dave, I won’t do that. Can’t do that. There’s comfort in the mask I wear around him, around most people. He doesn’t know me as well as Seth does, and perhaps that’s what I need: not someone who’s seen every side of me, but someone who can bring out something new.

“Yeah,” he says. “I do, but I don’t want to talk about him. I called about you.”

“And what could you possibly want to know about me?” I stare up at the white ceiling, my lips twitching. “I’m the most boring of the Hawthornes. Haven’t you heard?”

“No one talks about you like that.”

“Just me then? But I know myself better than anyone else, so one could argue that my perception is the clearest.”

“Rowan…”