I held up a hand to stop him. “This isn’t what you want any more than I do. Is it about appearances? That isn’t a good enough reason to get married, Kyle.”
He didn’t meet my eye, a sure sign he’d been hoping I’d say no. “I love you, Brynn.”
“I love you, too, but that isn’t enough to build a life together. Haven’t we proven that? You couldn’t marry me when the going got tough.”
He frowned. “It’s that other guy, isn’t it?”
Would I have succumbed if I hadn’t met Ian? Given in to Kyle one more time because of our friendship? I shook my head. “No. We couldn’t withstand this crisis together. What happens if the county lays you off? Will you leave me again?”
“I didn’t leave you. I took a job in Door County. I was home every weekend.”
“You were home, but you weren’t with me. You moved all your things out of my house.”
His frown deepened. “It didn’t make sense to keep them here.”
“I can’t argue with that, but there was a reason you stopped sleeping here.”
“We couldn’t take the chance on an unexpected pregnancy, could we?” he asked. “What are you going to do? You won’t have a job after Monday and you still have a mortgage to pay.”
“None of which is your concern. This isn’t the first time I’ve faced adversity. Life has a way of working things out.”
“Be practical, Brynn. If you marry me, you won’t have to worry about any of that.”
I huffed. “I’ve always depended on myself, Kyle. That isn’t going to change, no matter how much you want it to. I appreciate the offer, but I’d rather deal with what comes next on my own.”
He shook his head. “But you don’t have to.”
“I want to.”
Again, he frowned. “Stubborn woman. Be reasonable.”
I walked to the door and opened it. “You can respect we have boundaries and we can still be friends, or you can walk out now.”
Tears welled in his eyes. “Can I at least hug you?”
I complied and offered a smile. “I know you’re secretly relieved.”
A telltale grin shadowed his face. “Marrying you wouldn’t be all bad.”
“We both deserve more, and I think you know that.”
He gave a reluctant nod. “Guess I’ll be seeing you around, neighbor. You know where to find me if you need anything.” He paused to meet my gaze. “Anything.”
I nodded, and when he left, I walked to the workroom, which had been far too quiet as of late.
A grimoire lay open on the table. Did this mean my magic was restored? I crossed to read it, a recipe for ginger tea, something I could make without assistance from a magical book. I’d made some for myself just this morning. I shrugged and mixed a jar, labeled it, and packed it into my work tote bag.
I mixed more jars of bath salts, knowing they’d sell on the internet store even if they didn’t sell at Windfall, and cut a tray of soap that had finished curing. I hummed as I worked, recalling how many times I’d heard Nora doing the same.
I attempted to summon my phone using telekinesis—oh yeah, not working. Instead, I picked it up and called Nora.
“Sweet Brynn,” she answered, filling me with the warmth I’d been missing since my mother’s passing.
I asked if she had any objection to my selling the house.
“Oh, heavens, no,” she said. “There is a time and a purpose for all things. Where will you go?”
My inner child cried for the comfort and security she provided, but life had taught me to find my own way. Nora would be there, no matter where I landed. “I haven’t decided yet. I’ve been applying for jobs.”
“You could always teach at the Tech, like I did,” she said. “Or use your degree to help others. You could go to Hawaii, like I’d always hoped to do.”
I laughed. “Wanderlust has never beckoned me. At this stage, though, I’m wide open to whatever possibilities the universe presents.”
We were both silent a moment before Nora asked me, “Is everything okay? With you, I mean. Are you okay?”
“I will be.”
I ended the call and returned to the kitchen to make brownies to take to Jason’s. While they baked, I browsed real estate ads. Where would I go? Did I want a house? I’d need a place with a garden, at least.
Decisions for another day. I had enough other things to settle first, things which followed me into my dreams when I went to bed.
I dreamed of touring Egypt with Nora, but we were driving separately and I got lost following her. When I pulled over to get my bearings, an American police officer approached me—in Egypt—who insisted he had to give me a ticket rather than provide directions.
Ash nuzzled against my neck, purring me out of my agitated sleep.
I walked downstairs to start coffee, and again, my stomach was too nervous. The thought of all that acid nauseated me and I brewed a cup of ginger tea, instead. I fixed another piece of toast and jam.
I arrived at Windfall early and took stock of the increasingly-empty shop. The crowded consignment displays were long gone. I flashed to the days of Windfall karaoke and the joy of working with Nora. I enjoyed working with one of my best friends, but we’d never recaptured the same energy. I bowed my head and walked behind the counter. I unpacked the botanicals and the tea I’d brought for whatever customer might need a special order.
When Cassandra arrived, she stopped to survey the space, hands on her hips. “Starting to look empty in here. I can put what’s left of my line on two racks. Might as well consolidate. How are you doing on your product?”
“Whatever’s left I can take home and sell online,” I replied. “I’ve had a couple nibbles on the proposals I sent out to the local B&Bs.” I crossed the shop and hugged her. “When a door closes...”
She chuckled. “Don’t let it hit you on the way out. Let’s get
