His laugh returns my attention to him unwillingly. “I’ll admit I don’t know a lot about crystals, but since the first time I was in here, I’ve been reading up on them, and I’m pretty sure that pink one is called rose quartz.”
“That only answersoneof my questions.” I scoff, realizing instantly that I am also quoting him from last night in the forest.
He doesn’t seem to notice, or at least, doesn’t let on that he does.
“If I’m not mistaken, it’s the crystal oflove,” he says,taking a few steps toward me until he’s only a couple of feet away. “If I’m wrong, though, I’m more than happy to learn.”
Standing my ground, I look up at him, trying to control my tail that’s whipping behind me. “You’renotwrong, so seems like you don’t need a teacher.”
“Isn’t the purple one called obsidian?” he asks, looking past me at the display.
I roll my eyes. “No—amethyst.Everyoneknows that. And didn’t I already tell you that when I gave you the bracelet you’re wearing?”
“Silly me, how could I forget?” His gaze moves from the display to his wrist before meeting my eyes again, his smile growing. “Maybe Idoneed a teacher after all.”
My mouth opens, but I’m stuck. He really just used my own words against me. What an annoyingly clever trick. Especially since it’s really not all that annoying.
“Well, when should I be back for my first lesson?” He takes a few steps back, heading toward the exit. “Tomorrow?”
His hand is already on the handle as I call out, “Hey, I never said I would teach you.”
“What? I can’t hear you…” His voice becomes muffled as he exits and the door closes, leaving him smiling at me through the glass. “I’m already outside.”
With a wave, he disappears from my view, leaving me standing alone,gobsmacked. Who does that? Who does all the things he just did?
And why am I kind of excited to argue with him again tomorrow?
His smile, Gods, it’s annoying—and it’salwaysthere.He’s so cheerful, and my verbal jabs just seem to bounce off him. The coldness I’m trying to exude? It’s immediately neutralized by the warmth he radiates.
I’m doing everything in my power to push him away, yet I feel like it’s doing the opposite. It’s drawing him in.
And maybe,just maybe, that’s not such a bad thing.
Chapter Twelve
CRYSTAL LESSON
CARSON
Yesterday was progress. Today I’m going to make it count.
While I may be going to her store under the guise of learning about crystals, the main goal is to learn more about her. Since she didn’t tell me I couldn’t come for a lesson, I’m going to show up.
Not that there was really much time for her to tell me no, since I walked out of the store.
It’ll be okay. If she seems uncomfortable, I’ll leave her alone forever.
My heart races as I enter the store, my eyes darting around as I search for her. Behind the counter is her brother, who gives me a smile and waves one hand briefly.
“How’s it going today?” he calls out rather loudly, causing the few customers browsing to turn in my direction.
I head over to the counter. “Good, how about yourself?”
“Likewise. Getting used to my new responsibilities.” He nods, looking over his shoulder toward a door.
As he turns his head back to me, the door flies open, and Orie exits with a near-frantic expression. Her eyes are wide and eyebrows raised, her tail doing that thing it always does, moving hypnotizingly behind her.
Her navy hair is pulled up into the same style it’s been every time I see her—two buns on top of her head. She seems to glow as always, her skin so smooth that the sunlight reflects off it through the windows.
