Auggie chuckled and shook my hand but didn’t let go. Instead, he looked me in the face, eyelashes fluttering. “You like my eyes then?”
I swallowed hard. “I … like many things about you.”
He leaned closer. “Oh? For instance … ?”
My eyes slipped down to his mouth. “You’re … very capable.”
He chuckled. “Yeah?” he leaned toward me, then paused. “Wait. Did you call me stubborn?”
“Oh, yes. Absolutely pigheaded.”
He grinned, then let go of my hand, to my chagrin. He took another sip of tea. “Well, at least you can make a good tea, at any rate. As well as being good-looking.”
“And dashing,” I reminded him.
He laughed softly before his face grew serious. “Do you know anything about the state of my aunt in America?”
I hesitated. “I don’t, I’m afraid. I only know that I’m to take you there.”
He nodded. “And when I come back?” He glanced up. “What then?”
I doubted very much he would be coming back. But if he did … if we had a chance to bask in each other’s company for a while longer … “If you come back, I would very much like to continue getting to know you better.”
He smiled. “I’d like that too. I’d like to see this shop of yours. Something tells me it’s not as humble as you make it out to be.”
“Oh, it’s not,” I admitted. “It’s quite extraordinary.”
He laughed, fingers running along the rim of his cup. “I can’t believe …”
“What?” I demanded.
He shrugged. “That we’re talking like this. Just days ago, I thought all witches were …”
I lifted an eyebrow. “Yes? Go on.”
“Selfish. Greedy. Destructive.” He cocked his head. “And some of you are.” He looked up, meeting my eyes. “But some of you aren’t.”
I smiled lightly. “I suppose I could say the same for you humans.”
He considered me. “What is your life like at this shop of yours?”
“There’s nothing spectacular about that. I gather ingredients, trade, sell to customers.”
“No, I mean, what’s yourlifelike? Not just your profession.”
I opened my mouth, then closed it. He wanted honesty, did he? Very well. “It’s lonely.” I let out a deep breath. “I have Narcissa, of course, but … I live out of the way, where I won’t be bothered by or intrude on any human settlements. But I have my books.”
“Books are no substitute for people.”
“Then you haven’t been reading the right books. I’d much rather read than be in most people’s company.”
“You know what I mean. You need interaction with others. You need … friends.”
I deflected, “I do get plenty of interaction with other witches at the shop. That’s how I met Lexi, after all. She’s a friend.” Of course, most witches I met were customers, and a few I would venture to call acquaintances. Lexi was the only true friend I had. But I didn’t need more than that. Did I? “I have a purpose, and I enjoy my life, simple as it is.”
“But you could enjoy it more with the right people in it.” Auggie reached out and laid a hand over mine. We locked eyes.
“The right people, huh?” I asked, my voice growing husky as my eyes found his lips. “I don’t suppose one of those people has beautiful eyes?”
