Chapter Fourteen
Savannah
“So, how’re thingswith Rhys?” Ava asked me casually as we stocked and organized the bookshelves in the Bean.
The afternoon was a slow one, so we were taking the time to tidy the shop and restock books. I was surprised by how neat the witches were when they came into the shop. Everything that they picked up was put back into its proper place if they decided not to buy it. It was rare that a customer left things in disarray.
When I’d mentioned it to Ava, she laughed. “That’s because the witches can feel the spell I put on the shelves. If they don’t return things to their proper place, there is a price to pay. Typically, it’s only the humans who aren’t tidy.”
“A price to pay?” I asked, my eyes growing larger. “What do you do to them?”
Ava shook her head. “Nothing horrible. But they aren’t surprised when their spells go awry for a few days or they need to replace their supply of dried herbs not long after a visit.”
“You hex them?” I asked, my voice growing higher.
She laughed again, louder and longer this time. “Not really. It’s more of a little spell to throw them off-kilter for a few days. It’s harmless.” She paused. “Though one witch did come in after she burned her eyebrows off when one of her candle spells didn’t go as planned. I had to adjust the charm then.”
I shook my head at my friend. “You’re a menace. Remind me never to get on your bad side.”
“I don’t think you could,” Ava replied. “Though we might find out if you change the subject again when I ask you about Rhys.”
I sighed as I dusted the shelves in front of me. I should have known she would notice that I did that every time she asked me about Rhys and how our dates were going. The truth was I didn’t want to tell her because I wasn’t sure I even knew what was going on.
For the past several weeks, Rhys came over to my house every day. Most of the time it was in the evening after I finished working for the day. Sometimes he came just after lunch and helped me in the garden when I was only at the Bean for the morning shift. I enjoyed his company and looked forward to seeing him every day, but his behavior confused me.
Rhys wasn’t overly affectionate. He only held my hand from time to time and often when we sat on the couch watching television, he’d put his arm around my shoulders, but that was it. His hands and eyes never wandered. Surprisingly, I wanted them to. I wanted him to touch me and I definitely wanted to touch him. I found nearly everything about him attractive, from his endearing lack of understanding of pop culture to his not-quite-dimples. For the first time in years, my libido was awake and raring to go. Too bad he didn’t seem to get the memo, even though I knew he had to feel my desire for more.
If it hadn’t been for the kisses he gave me each night before he left, I would have thought that maybe we were just friends. But even the kisses were somewhat chaste. Rhys always kept the contact brief and his hands never strayed from my waist.
For the first time in my life, I was dating a man who took old-fashioned values seriously. My grandmother would have been ecstatic.
However, I was ready for more. Maybe not sex, but definitely some making out or a groping session on my couch. I felt like I was back in high school and my boyfriend wouldn’t touch me because he was afraid my parents would come down the hall and catch us.
“Savannah, are you going to answer my question or am I going to have to get out my hex book?”
I blinked at Ava. “Sorry. I was thinking.”
“I could tell. I think I smell smoke, so whatever it is must be serious.”
I made a face at her insinuation. “My brain isn’t overheating, I’m just a little…confused about what I should do about Rhys.”
“Well, why don’t you talk to me about it and I’ll tell you what I think you should do.”
I laughed. “You may be my boss here at the Bean, but my private life is my own,” I retorted.
“Wrong. I may be your boss here, but I’m also your best friend, which means you have to at least consider my suggestions,” she corrected.
Still laughing, I shook my head. “No, I don’t.”
“Okay, no you don’t,” she sighed. “But I’m dying of curiosity, so please put me out of my misery. I know you think it’s rude to kiss and tell or whatever, but I feel like I had a bit of a hand in getting you two together. I need details.”
“Something would have to happen for me to kiss and tell,” I muttered to myself as I dusted the candles on their shelves.
“What did you just say?” Ava asked.
I glanced at her. “You heard me.”
“Okay, back up. Instead of saying something would have to happen, why don’t you tell me what has happened so far?”
