I pulled my chair closer and put an arm over his hunched shoulders.
The man sitting next to me was very different from the one I’d known back then. It only made sense. We all had thirty years to mature and make grown-up mistakes.
Had Ray matured as well? I believed so. I thought back to the many times I’d caught Ray in his wolf form, watching me from afar, sorrow in his eyes. The way he’d protected me when Jeff appeared. He’d shown a restraint I’d never seen from him when we dated.
“I believe you, Ethan. And one day, he will too.”
My throat was crystal clear. I knew it was true. If we were all back here in our tiny hamlet of a town, we’d have to find ways to get along. I’d bump into Ray again. Surely Ethan and Ray’s paths crossed.
He angled his face closer to mine. Red rimmed his eyes. They drifted to my lips.
The air between us sizzled with an electricity that cut to my core. Desire yawned and stretched like a cat inside me, awake after a long hibernation. It looked at the hotness that was Ethan and nodded. Yes, please.
Whoa.
I shot to my feet. It was my turn to pace.
Nine days. It had only been nine days since I found out about the Magnolia. Add a week to that since I walked in on my husband mid-coitus. Then Ray resurfaced, along with all my memories.
Oh yeah, and I was a witch who was using her powers without knowing it.
It was a lot.
Ethan was rubbing the back of his neck like it burned. He couldn’t stop fidgeting in his seat. He was embarrassed and adorable and nervous and hot as hell.
But the last thing I needed was a romantic entanglement. And no matter how much the thought of, ahem, physical relief appealed to me, the truth was I didn’t want any romance in my life. Maybe Lauren had it right. Being alone sounded really nice right now.
I had too much to figure out. I wanted to repair my relationship with my son. I was about to take over a major business. I had a list, dammit, and boning wasn’t on it.
I wanted to stand on my own two feet. To make decisions based on me, the Magnolia, and no one else.
Hot, sweaty sex was going to have to wait. How to let him down gently?
“I’m going to need a divorce lawyer, Ethan. A fierce one.” It was an awkward way to express it, but it worked. Ethan put on his game face.
“Go on.”
“Jeff will claim I hexed him. I don’t know if a court would believe him or not. I don’t want to run the risk of him making a play for the Magnolia.”
“Most divorces don’t wind up in court, Simone.” Ethan twisted his lips into a smirk. “Did you? Hex your ex?”
“Um, yeah.” I pulled my chair back to the table and sat opposite him. The space helped steady my pulse. “It was kind of an accident, and I think I fixed it already.” I sighed. “I should probably go back to New Orleans and check.”
“Will he fight a divorce?” Ethan asked.
I took a moment to mull it over, listening to what my instincts said on the matter.
“Maybe a week ago. But now?” I shook my head. “I’m pretty sure he’s as done with me as I am with him.”
“Let me know when you plan to return, and I will draw up the papers and have them served before you get there.” He pulled out his phone and made a note before returning it to his pocket. “As far as the Magnolia, you’re covered. I’m a damn good attorney.”
At his sly smile, desire perked up again. Down, girl.
“Thanks, Ethan. You’re a good friend.”
“I’m glad I could help.” He rose, pulling me into an embrace that was, somewhat disappointedly, friendly. “And I’m glad you’re home.”
“Me, too.” I walked him to the door. “See you soon?”
