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“The two best-sellers are personal readings and tinctures,” Willow said, gesturing to the rack full of small, corked bottles with various labels on them. “I know that you’re familiar with most of the tinctures here, so that’s a bonus. Have you been working on your divination lately?”
I shrug somewhat at the question, aware of how I lacked in that department. My sheepish smile surely gave me away. “Not really … it just hasn’t come to me yet.”
Willow chuckled and shrugged my hesitancy off. “That’s no problem. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. I’ll busy myself with the readings and you can manage the potions.”
A sigh of relief left my chest, already feeling better about the idea. “Deal. I can’t complain about that.”
“Here, these two boxes need to be unpackaged and restocked over there,” she said, directing to said boxes. She reached for one, and I followed suit, grabbing the other.
“No problem,” I commented, eager to get started.
“Thank the Goddess I have your help now,” she said, sounding genuinely grateful for the hand. “Business has really picked up ever since Keres was taken care of. Between regular sales and all the readings, I’ve been completely swamped.”
I flashed her a smile and got started unpacking the knickknacks. “I’m more than happy to help out. Ever since things ended with Ryan, I haven’t felt completely like myself. It’s like I’m unaligned with my magic, and I want to get that connection back.”
Willow gave me an empathetic look. “That, unfortunately, is very common with many of us. Letting go of someone can sometimes mean losing a part of ourselves. How have you been, by the way?”
Sighing, I thought back to how much it had hurt being broken up with after it happened. How I had crawled to Willow for a drinking partner. While it had only been a few months, it felt like ages prior.
“Things were tough for a bit, but I’m over him now. Completely. Thankfully too—I was eating too much ice cream.”
Willow smiled and shook her head at the comment. “I’m glad to hear it at least. Except for the ice cream part. You should never stop eating it.”
We both chuckled at that, and I unwrapped a small ceramic statue of Hecate.
“I was afraid of being alone after he broke up with me, but I’ve come to enjoy my own company and the peace that comes with it,” I explained, feeling that familiar gratitude for the clarity I found after I got over our relationship. “Even if there is a disconnect, I figure being around mystical objects and the practice would help me mend that strain.”
“I think that’s a wonderful way of looking at it,” she returned gently as she organized some of the crystals she pulled out of the box. “If I know anything about your work ethic from the Roadbar, I’m sure you’ll do great here. And if you need any help reconnecting with yourself, don’t hesitate to ask.”
Even if I didn’t want to overstep or ask too much of her, hearing such a generous offer from a senior witch in our coven meant the world to me. She was one of our strongest, and she was well-versed in her craft. Many of us, from novice to adept, looked to her for guidance and pointers.
“I will,” I returned gratefully with a smile and busied myself with the work in front of me.
While we both plucked away at restocking, Willow glanced at me with a knowing grin. “How’s your new neighbor?”
Immediately, the rush of disdain fell over me, and I groaned.
“More annoying than he initially had been.”
Her amused expression gave away how much she seemed to enjoy my annoyance with her boyfriend’s best friend and right hand. “How so?”
I scoffed. “Where do I even begin? Last night, some raccoons pushed his garbage into my lawn, and right when I went to clean it up, he came out and got all grumpy with me. Between his stubbornness, the loud music he plays while he cleans his bike, and how nonchalant he is about everything, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”
Willow laughed out loud at my anguish but remembered herself and reeled it in. She put a hand over her mouth sheepishly. “I’m so sorry, I’m sure it is very annoying.”
Sighing, I gave her an unamused look. “That’s not entirely helpful.”
“I know, I know,” Willow murmured, and pulled herself together. “Maybe Griffin just needs a warm welcome to open up more?”
Right away, I had my doubts. “But I tried that, and it didn’t seem to work. I keep trying to be nice to him, but he always finds a way to get under my skin. Getting through to him is like talking to a brick wall.”
“I know he isn’t the warmest man out there, but is he really that difficult to handle?” Willow asked as if trying to be hopeful for his sake.
“He wouldn’t be if he just tried to be a decent human being for once.”
“Come on,” she said with a chuckle, collapsing her empty box. “Rowan is best friends with him for a reason. He must have some good qualities.”
I snorted my rebuttal. “None that he’s shown me so far.”
