Along with other things. Like her curves in those leggings. The bright pink jacket.
And the blush that stained her cheeks when she returned my sweatshirt empty-handed.
That was weird.
And yet, there was something endearing about it. Which is ridiculous, becauseendearinghas never been a word in my vocabulary.
And I don’t get involved with women.
Especially not stalkers.
Even if she has the kind of smile that makes a man reconsider bad decisions.
I grip the handle of my coffee mug tighter and take a long drink, draining the last of it. I don’t want to anger Ivy. She could curse me like the other witch did.
I cringe every time I think about the wordsGoddess Hecateleaving the witch’s lips. I sprinted for my car in my boxers, then tore out of her driveway like my life depended on it.
Because it did.
Calm down.
Ivy’s not a witch.
At least, I don’t think so.
I step out onto the back patio and immediately regret every life choice that brought me here.
The Vermont morning air is crisp, the sky pale and clear, and the woods behind my house look exactly as advertised—quiet, controlled, and predictable.
I stretch, adjust my watch, and head toward the trail that cuts through the trees.
Peace.That’s what I’m after.
Four steps in, a familiar feminine voice hits my ears.
“Hi, Sebastian!”
I nearly die.
My heart slams into my ribs as I jerk back, adrenaline flooding my system. I spin toward the sound, fists half-clenched, already cataloging escape routes and potential threats.
It’s Ivy.
She’s standing on the trail like she materialized from thin air. Bright-eyed. Smiling. Holding my sweatshirt.
“I remembered this time,” she says cheerfully.
I stare at her, chest heaving. My pulse races like I just outran a bear.
“Jesus—” I stop myself, dragging in a breath. “You can’t just—pop out like that.”
She blinks. “Oh. Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
I swallow, forcing my heart rate back into something resembling normal. “It’s fine.”
It’s not, but witches and curses are never a good way tostart the day.
“Here,” she says, stepping closer and holding out the sweatshirt.
