There was even a seminar she thought would be great for me over winter break, but the others would want me to do more for the company or the sessions. More for the council, and what about me and my college life? Building on my learning and yes, being a goddess witch, because apparently Kate was terrified after learning our magic could eat us.
“Yeah, that part is fucking terrifying,” I whispered.
“How often do you have nightmares about that?” she asked me gently, nodding when I didn’t answer but simply swallowed. “You need to tell one of them. Is that why you don’t want Winter to sleep over?”
I snorted. “No, I want him to just fucking ask. I don’t like the—they tell me to speak up more, but why do they get to dance around and not fucking ask? Nigel’s right that they don’t ask me out or give me flowers or do normal shit and then call themselves my boyfriends like I’ve missed shit. I haven’t missed shit.”
She slowly raised an eyebrow at that. “Nigel’s had a lot to say on the side, huh?” She waved me off when I frowned. “Nothing, leave it for another time. So what do you think?”
“I think it has possibilities, but I see huge gaping pitfalls with the idea,” I told her honestly, hurrying on when she looked hurt.“Kate, I have no idea how to do this.” I gestured between us. “I am not socialized enough to be like a boss and friend.”
She slowly blinked at me before trying to smother a giggle. “Bev, you seriously don’t give yourself enough credit. You already do it. Tracey is your best friend and employee. You two are the fuckinggoalof how not to let work get in the way of your friendship or how to balance so neither side ever takes advantage. Yeah, you can absolutely do it.”
When she put it like that, I felt kinda silly.
She twisted her hands together. “Whetheryou want to do it or not is a different answer.”
“No, it’s not that. I just worry…” I sighed, scrubbing my hands over my face. “Yes, Tracey and I do it well. But it’s not like this.” I gestured between us.
“That’s fair. Really fair,” Kate accepted. “I won’t take advantage of you, Bev.”
“It’s not even that,” I mumbled, looking away from her. “People bitch about their bosses. Who would you bitch about your boss to? They’re the only friends I have now really. I mean witch friends. Emma and—”
“You are so fucking precious,” she chuckled. “For real, Bevin. Yeah, I’m not going to bitch about working with you. Let Tracey be my official boss and I’ll just help you navigate this bullshit and have something better—easier.” She waited until I looked at her. “And I will tell the others that if I bitch about you to take your side.”
Her grin was huge when she said it like she was completely sure that was how things would work.
Easier sounded nice… So we could give it a try.
I would probably regret it, but I hoped not.
22
“No, pull in your core here and straighten your leg,” I told Sergey quietly as I helped him get into position for another pose. I smiled as he listened to me and thanked me.
But then yelped as I felt an arm snake around me. It wasn’t someone I was familiar with and I reacted the way I’d been taught, going to throw an elbow in the face of the person.
Except he easily dodged it.
“Hey, fuckhead, put her down,” Sergey snapped as he got out of position and to his feet.
He didn’t need to worry though because Taylor was already there.
“I warned people that I was bringing someone in,” Taylor bit out. “Did you think it was someone who was fine and—”
“Right, sorry, man,” the guy said as he let me go. He smirked at me as I spun around. “You’re a real spitfire, aren’t you? That’s—”
“You will eat your teeth for dinner,” Taylor seethed as he pushed me behind him. “What is your damage?”
“Lack of impulse control for one,” someone towards the door said. “My office, now, fuckhead. After you apologize to the lady, not justTaylor.”
The guy looked like he’d been kicked in the nuts for being caught and cleared his throat. “I am sorry. I didn’t mean to upsetyou. And my joke after was shit to try and defuse the situation. I just—you can’t learn what you’re here for if you’re helping your boyfriend. We can do that.”
“Use your words,” I grumbled, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Proud of you for reacting like that,” Taylor praised when the guy was gone and he faced me. “You good?”
“Yeah, thanks for the help.”
