Page 59 of Hexed & Hazy

It’s done. It’s out.

Her eyes are as round as the moon.

“I’ve always been in love with him.” I’m saying it to more than just Maple. I admit it to the room, to the ghosts, to the gods. Anything to get it off my chest. “And I know he’ll never love me. How could he?”

I’m dull compared to cool, mysterious Victoria, and certainly to passionate, wild Scarlet. Dave, so creative and warm and full of life, has more to offer than I do—he shouldn’t be interested in me either.

It has nothing to do with Laurel. I understand that now. It was easier to blame her, to blame whatever fictional feelings he may have had for her, but it has always been about me.

“And why couldn’t he?” Maple tilts her head. “You never know until you ask.”

“The better question is… why would he?”

“I asked first. Why couldn’t he love you, Rowan? You’ve been loved before, even if you’re not the type to take your partners home. So… why not again? Why not him?”

“I don’t think this is a constructive conversation.”

“No, but I mean it.” She giggles. “How can he know to consider that he loves you if… well, you haven’t told him, have you?”

I bite my lip. “Not yet. Probably never.”

“Maybe you should. Even if you get an answer… well, you’d have an answer, right? That’s a good thing.”

“Even if it’s not the answer I want?”

She nods. “And I know Seth. I know you. You’d still be able to be friends, even if he doesn’t feel the same.”

She’s half right. I’m friends with my exes. I could repress my feelings and remain friends with him, but Seth… I’ve witnessed how he runs from every love gone wrong. Do I want that to be what becomes of us?

More importantly, can I truly keep repressing for his comfort?

“Don’t forget your snack,” Maple says.

Of course, she’s thinking about dessert at a time like this. I take another bite just to appease her and consider what she said…

The pie is delicious. Sweet and tangy with a flaky crust. I close my eyes and, for a moment, savor it. The tension releases from my shoulder.

Maybe she’s right. Seth needs to know how I feel, and it doesn’t have to change anything about our friendship.

Or maybe someone slipped me a charmed dessert. Heavens above.

I narrow my eyes at Maple. “Is this…?”

“Confidence pie?” She nods, ever the smug kitchen witch. “I had a feeling you could use a little of it.”

And Maple was right. I finish the pie, eating every last crumb, and then…

I need to find Seth, wherever he is—probably not wandering around the streets anymore, I would imagine. I push my way out of the tavern, where snow now falls in full force, and find myself face-to-face…

With him. A red beanie covers his dark hair, which pokes out beneath the hat, and snow coats his long lashes. There’s a slight flush of color across his nose and cheeks, and when he looks at me with smoldering eyes, I fear I’m blushing from head to toe.

Seth Bautista, with no magic of his own, has lit me on fire.

“Ro.” His voice cracks.

And my heart breaks open. For him. It’s always been for him.

“I… I was coming to find you.”