When they returned from their run, Etienne had Ophelia center herself and pull at her magic again and again. This time, it was much easier and much less exhausting since she had been practicing on her own. She was amazed by her magic as she treated a scrape on Etienne’s leg. It slowly healed over as the red scab turned to new skin, then untouched flesh in the span of two seconds. After, he started to pack up his things to leave.
“Before you go, I was wondering if you’d meet me at Prytania Botanica sometime to check out the treating room I’m going to share with Avery. I want to get your advice on how to set things up and pick your brain on the types of supplies I’ll need.”
“Yeah, no problem,” he said as he swung his gym bag over his shoulder. Ophelia noted his right dimple emerging as his smile slightly lifted. “I’m off during the day next Tuesday. I could meet you then.”
They agreed upon a time, and instead of leaving with their usual wave, they both leaned in for a hug. It was awkward at first. Being this close made her long to press her body up against his, and she had to remind herself that they were just friends. But he smelled so good, like sweat and trees and fresh air, and his muscular arms around her were strong and heavy. She bet he was great at cuddling…and other things.Stop,Ophelia.Too much.She broke away from his embrace and reluctantly said goodbye.
CHAPTER THIRTY NINE
Ophelia sprawled on the floor of Jade’s home as she played with Theo. He was getting so big and so close to walking. Ophelia couldn’t stand to see his leg rolls disappear as his body grew taller.
“Do you want anything to drink?” Jade asked from the kitchen.
“Got any more of that passionfruit tea?” Ophelia called.
“Yeah, give me a minute,” she yelled back. Theo’s chubby hand clung to Ophelia’s index finger as he tried to shove it in his drooly mouth.
“Hey, that’s my finger, lil guy,” Ophelia cooed and distracted him by tickling his belly. His little chuckle made Ophelia laugh uncontrollably, which in turn made him laugh harder. They were two giggling messes when Jade came back to the living room with two teas.
“What is going on in here, you little giggle monsters?”
“We just find each other hysterical,” Ophelia said.
“So,” Jade started as she sipped her tea, “you’re doing better.”
“Yes. Let me guess, you sensed that?”
“I did,” Jade smirked.
“Yeah, well, I’m going to therapy weekly, and I’ve started running three to four days a week again. I feel like myself again.Kind of.” Ophelia reached out to the therapist Etienne referred her to, and she ended up being a good fit for her. Ophelia had been working with her for two weeks, and it was going well.
“Seems like Etienne is really helping you,” Jade said leadingly.
Ophelia eyed Jade as if to say,Don’t you dare start.
“I’m just saying. You two are spending a lot of time together, and remember, I know how dreamy you think he is.”
“Blah, blah, blah. He doesn’t like me. Never has. I’m not his type.” Ophelia focused her thoughts on carefully sipping her hot tea instead of Etienne. After their last practice session, something had shifted in their relationship. They started texting each other about random things, not just about scheduling practices. She had learned more about Etienne in the past couple weeks than years of being friends. He enjoyed running but preferred to play rec sports for exercise, if he could find leagues that worked with his schedule. His older sister was a doctor and inspired him to become one. He visited his grandfather the first Sunday of every month, and the biggest surprise of all was that he could draw incredibly well. He didn’t tell her that, of course, but he texted her a photo of a doodle he made on the corner of a form. In the drawing, he was running fast, and Ophelia was left so far behind she was pictured at the bottom of the page.
“He likes you. I know it,” Jade sang.
“Theo! Did you know your mother can read minds now, too?” Ophelia reached over to rub his round tummy.
“Ahem. I can sense feelings like lust or love.”
“Right. Well, let me know the next time you see us in a room together. You may sense my mixture of feelings. Just my trauma cocktail, a double shot of horniness and fear. But as for him, I hope you at least sense friendship. Actually, I think you will. Wearefriends. Just friends.”
“For now,” Jade countered with a smile.
On Tuesday afternoon,Ophelia wrapped up work with Healing Artists early and headed to Prytania Botanica to meet Etienne. She wasn’t scheduled to work, so she would have plenty of time to outline what she wanted to do with her Traiteur practice.
Ophelia arrived at the shop before Etienne and greeted Avery behind the counter. Avery was on his laptop, and a NOLA.com article titled “Did the Cutthroat Killer leave NOLA for good?” filled the screen.
“What’s that?” Ophelia asked, stepping closer.
“It’s been months since there’s been a killing in New Orleans. Police think the killer left New Orleans. Especially after…” Avery trailed off.
“Murdering my grandmother in Oakdale,” she finished with a lump in her throat. “Maybe he was passing through. Making his way to another big city like Houston.” Ophelia sighed. “We’re never going to know, are we?”
