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He pushed through the door, which made the bell above him chime. He lifted his brows in question. “Everything alright in here?”
“Uh, yeah!” I blurted, not wanting to explain what we had been talking about.
I also tried to ignore how my stomach dropped somewhat at knowing it wasn’t Griffin, even if that was likely a good thing at the moment.
“We just went on break,” Willow covered for me with a friendly smile. “What can we do for you?”
He smiled at us both. “I guess I’m here right on time, then. I just wanted to know if you’re free for lunch. Could I steal you away for a bit?”
“Since this is my break, I don’t see why not,” I began, glancing at Willow for confirmation.
She looked at me for an extra moment, likely hesitant from our recent conversation. She probably didn’t want Noah in the mix to complicate things. But she nodded anyway. “As long as you’re back before one, I don’t mind.”
“Great,” I said, putting the broom to the side. “Let’s get going then.”
As Noah offered me his kind expression and opened the door for me, there was no doubting his intentions. He had come around enough times for me to know it wasn’t just casual, or at least, he was hoping for more than that.
Even if I had been contemplating my situation with Griffin, it made me wonder if seeing someone else would give me the push I needed to decide. To find a definitive answer for myself of what felt right and what didn’t.
I had spent quite some time with Griffin, and there was a chance all that time was just clogging my mind with thoughts of him. It wouldn’t hurt to put my indecisiveness to the test, at least.
“After you,” Noah said, letting me step out first.
The town was just as nice as always while we ventured through the main road. It was getting warmer as the weeks went by, and that meant we didn’t need jackets anymore. It was nice to watch as the grass turn greener, and even the flowers began popping out of the warm soil.
Breaking out of winter and transitioning into spring was always my favorite time of year. The thought of experiencing rebirth and renewal always put me in better spirits, even if things were a bit tumultuous.
“How has the shop been lately?” Noah asked, walking next to me with his hands in his pockets.
“It’s been pretty great. I definitely miss the Roadbar, but working with Willow has been great. She’s an amazing teacher,” I replied honestly. “It’s nice to surround myself with magical items and tools every day. The customers are lovely too.”
“That’s good,” he commented as he glanced up at a blossoming tree above us as we went. “Are you learning more about divination?”
I pulled a sheepish grin. “Sometimes. It doesn’t always call to me. I’m thinking it’s just not for me.”
“That’s a shame,” he hummed with a knowing look. “I was hoping you could tell me my fortune again. To see if anything has changed.”
“I mean, there’s nothing saying I couldn’t, but it probably won’t be that accurate.”
He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter to me. I don’t mind being a test subject if it helps you out.”
As we walked closer to the park, I found myself subtly pulling away, like our bodies were deflecting one another. At least, I was slightly deterred, even if he hadn’t done anything.
When I was around Griffin, I gravitated toward him. It was like our bodies were magnetized, and there was nothing that could stop it from happening.
As nice as I thought he was, I didn’t feel a connection with Noah beyond friendship, and I didn’t see myself developing it any time soon. The spark just wasn’t there.
My time with Griffin had been incredible, and I didn’t think I could walk away from him even if I wanted to.
“If it means spending time with you, it’s not a problem,” Noah murmured, looking between my eyes and my mouth, and I knew without a doubt then. He wanted something that I didn’t.
Unable to go any further with it, I paused my steps and offered him a sympathetic smile. My stomach lurched at the thought of having to let him down gently, even if it was necessary. I never liked having to confront those kinds of things.
“Can we talk about … what this is?” I asked, struggling with every word to not crawl out of my skin.
Noah stopped as well and lifted his brows. “Sure.”
I pulled in a deep breath. “I know I said I wanted things to be casual before, but—”
