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“But did you actually listen to her?”
“Of course I did! Even though all she could talk about was her work,” I returned, annoyed that she would expect me to do otherwise without giving it a fair shot.
Mom scoffed. “That’s a good thing, you know. She’s an accomplished woman and has a good career. You should be with someone who can be independent.”
“It has nothing to do with that, Mom. There was no connection whatsoever. I can’t keep going on these dates with women I have nothing in common with.”
It was her turn to let go of a frustrated breath. “You’re being too quick to judge, Griffin. You can’t expect to find the perfect woman without having to compromise one way or another.”
“Compromising on the woman you want me to be with isn’t very sound advice.”
“You know what I mean. You won’t just wake up and discover the perfect partner. You have to work for it and prove to both parties that it’s worth the time and effort,” she tried to remind me as if it wasn’t something she said to me every week. “If you stay picky forever, you’ll never find a mate.”
Rounding a bend that led to my street, I mumbled under my breath, “Maybe that’s what I need.”
“Don’t talk about yourself like that. You deserve to find a mate just like any other shifter, but I think you just need to be more open-minded.”
“I can’t get any more open-minded than I already am, Mom.”
“You’re being dramatic, Griffin. You should give Vanessa another chance. She’s a lovely woman, and I’m sure you’d be able to find something special with her,” she said, laying her optimism on thick.
With my house in sight, I found myself lacking the patience to even have a conversation with her.
I had been on so many dates already. Eleven, in fact. They were both so determined to find me someone worth spending the rest of my life with, yet neither of them took the time to consider what I wanted.
What I wanted didn’t involve going on two dates a week, or passing the time with women I didn’t even care about. Not even remotely close.
“Listen, I gotta go, Mom. Please, ease up on the dates,” I said, hoping I might finally get through to her.
I had the feeling that still wouldn’t happen.
“I’ll tell Vanessa it just didn’t work out, but I’ll find someone more suited for you, my boy. Don’t worry about it.”
Not willing to waste my breath, we said our goodbyes, and I ended the call.
Stopping in front of the house, I closed my eyes and tried to collect myself. I’d rather leave the irritation at the door and not bring it inside with me.
I wanted to be a good son for them, but I was sick of the dates and forced arrangements. It was driving me insane, but my mom didn’t seem to notice. No matter how many times I assured her I didn’t need the help, she would step all over that boundary anyway.
I knew that she meant well, that she and my dad both did, but it was just too much.
The peace of living on my own and in a town that was no longer ripe with conflict was what I wanted.
The cool night air moved all around me, and while it helped calm me down somewhat, a persistent sound pulled me from any sort of clarity. With the breeze came the annoying notes from my neighbor’s wind chimes.
Hanging from nearly every corner of her porch, Sara had various chimes that made all different sorts of sounds.
They were so loud that I couldn’t even think. I couldn’t hear anything else but that frustrating sound.
Angry all over again, I gritted my teeth and went inside. The door hit the frame hard as it closed, and it made my head rattle.
Between my aggravating neighbor and persistent parents, I couldn’t catch a break.
Chapter 3 - Sara
Beams of light poured in through the storefront windows and caught the prism design stickers that splayed rainbows throughout the shop. The windchimes made of natural materials played their beautiful songs while the front door remained open, and everything about Willow’s shop made me feel at home.
She knew exactly how to create a witch’s paradise, and I was beyond grateful for the chance to work alongside her.
