Page 148 of Flirty Fall Fling

“Blaire,” Winter says, keeping her voice soft.

“That motherfucker,” I whisper.

“Breathe. In through your nose and out through your mouth. Slow.”

I do.

“Yep, just like that,” she says.

I growl, “Exes get hexes.”

She chuckles. “Want to talk about it?”

“I’m going to put his name in a jar and⁠—”

“You’d regret it. Plus, you believe in karma,” she says. “That’s not who you are. No matter what the tabloids say. Harm no one. I’ve heard you say it to customers.”

I sigh. “Never brew what you wouldn’t drink.”

A moment later, the main door opens and then closes. Ivy and Martha are talking to someone who has a deep voice.

Winter and I give each other a look as she goes to survey what’s going on. A tall guy with a beanie, aviators, and a thick mustache is inside the store. The hoodie is over his head.

I make a face, and Jamie rips the mustache from above his lip and grins.

“I asked Ruthie for a disguise.”

Winter bursts into laughter and pats my shoulder. “Gonna let you two have privacy.”

When we’re alone, I look up at him. “What are you doing here?”

“I heard about the shitstorm. I had to see you,” he confesses.

His hand rests on my cheek, and his mouth presses against mine. His lips are cold and taste like cinnamon and sugar.

The kiss steadies me more than the breathing did. When he pulls back, I’m holding a fistful of his hoodie.

“Is everything okay with you? I’m sorry I⁠—”

“Don’t apologize. Please. This is nothing I can’t handle, Blaire.”

“That’s not an answer.”

He tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

“I don’t know what will happen yet. I’ve spoken to my PR manager and agent. My brother. Official statements are being written right now. The foundation isn’t happy about the cult thing. But none of that matters.”

“Doesn’t it?”

“In the grand scheme of my life and everything I’ve already been through? This is nothing. I’m more concerned about you.”

“You could lose everything,” I whisper.

“Your well-being is the only thing that matters to me right now,” he says, like he means it.

“That’s a dangerous thing to say.”

“Yeah,” he says. “I’m feeling kinda reckless these days.”