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Cursed romantically.

I tuck it away without knowing why.

CHAPTER 39

FLORA

The message comes in while I’m brushing my teeth.

I hear the notification from the bedroom and almost ignore it. It’s late enough that I’m already in pajamas, my hair twisted on top of my head, the counter covered in the usual evidence that two women share one tiny bathroom. I spit, rinse my mouth, and stare at myself in the mirror for a second.

Then my phone makes the sound again.

There are other Whisp notifications. New orders, questions from existing clients, the occasional person who sends three messages in four minutes because the effectiveness of an intention ritual depends on whether I reply before midnight.

My phone is on the bed where I left it, and I sit beside it before picking it up.

Primavera1959

I know what I’m choosing

I read the message once.

The Third Fairy

That sounds very decisive

Primavera1959

I know. Horrible

I barely recognize myself

I smile.

TheThirdFairy

So?

There’s a long pause in between messages, and I expect her to be offline, to not come back with an answer. But after two more minutes of waiting, she replies.

Primavera1959

Me.

I straighten a little, and another message arrives before I can answer.

Primavera1959

And I know this sounds like something you’d put in one of those aspirational posters at doctor’s offices, but stay with me for a moment

A laugh escapes me.

This time, she takes longer.

Primavera1959

I think I’ve spent a lot of time choosing whatever seemed most likely to turn out okay