“Thank you. That would be great.” A few stray tears tracked down my cheek. “I’m sorry. I’m such a mess.”
“You’re just worried about your sister.”
That only seemed to make the tears flow harder, finally feeling like the nagging voice at the back of my head was justified. He pulled me in for a hug—one that felt protective, soft and firm all at once. I couldn’t remember the last time I had been held like this and sank into the unequivocal calm of being in his arms, sobbing into his navy-blue shirt.
When I lifted my head up, a wet patch of tears had been left behind. He ran the palm of his hand along my cheek, swiping away the droplets with the calloused pad of his thumb. My heart pounded, my gift crackling beneath my skin.
His jaw tightened.
Could he sense the effect he had on me?
Anotherdingfrom my phone snared me from his grasp. “Sorry, I have to check.”
“Of course,” he said, clearing his throat before stepping back, putting a body’s worth of distance between us. Then he shoved a hand in his pocket, the other brushing through his hair while he scanned the room. “I’ll get this charm situated so we can get you unpacked. Which cabinet has your casting supplies?”
I pointed to the last cabinet, and he went and opened it, finding its shelves stocked with jars of dried herbs and crystals. Grabbing my phone from its charger I took a deep breath, hoping it was Hazel making a fool of me for being worried.
Atlas
Before you tell me you’re fine, I already asked my assistant to rearrange things so I can come tomorrow. I’d really like to be there with you and Aspen.
I closed my eyes, willing away any frustration that bubbled in my chest. I didn’t want him coming a day early, especially with Hazel gone—and around the full moon no less. On the other hand, I was glad to have someone who cared about us here, and I couldn’t hold it against him wanting to spend some time with his son.
Okay.
Atlas
Be there in the morning.
When I turned around, setting the phone down on the counter, Lynx was holding Aspen in one arm. He giggled with joy as Lynx bounced him and continued throwing ingredients into the cauldron.
My throat went dry.
If there was anything sexier than a gorgeous witch in gray sweats, it was a gorgeous witch in gray sweats holding my heart in his hands. Lynx genuinely seemed to enjoy hanging with him.
My fingertips prickled, begging to be used, but I swiftly stuffed them into the pockets of my joggers.
Lynx’s gaze met mine, softening as he paused his bouncing. “I would ask if everything is okay but we both know it isn’t.”
The sharp tingles in my chest brought me back to my reality. “If you don’t mind, I just need to feed him.”
“Not at all. I can finish up this charm while you do.”
Lynx handed him over, and Aspen’s thin brows furrowed, as if disappointed. Then his body jerked excitedly, and he rooted around my shirt, leaving little circles of drool. Lynx politely averted his attention, shuffling over to the cauldron.
It was about to be a bit more awkward in here as I lifted up my shirt to shift my breast out. I looked around for Aspen’s blanket but didn’t see it, so I tried to strategically angle myself and the baggy shirt to be as modest as possible. “I feel bad taking away your afternoon. I’m sure there are more exciting things you could be doing than helping me unpack and hanging out with a witchling.”
“You have trouble accepting help, don’t you?” Lynx said, raising an eyebrow.
“I’m so used to being the one taking care of everyone else. It’s strange to be on the receiving end of it.” I watched Aspen’s tiny fist unclench. “I like having my independence.”
“Needing help doesn’t make you less independent. It makes you normal. Well, as normal as any of us supernaturals can claim.”
He was right…in theory. I was always helping others and I never minded. The only person I ever let take care of me was Hazel, and even that was a battle. Why was it so hard for me? I never felt burdened taking care of my friends or family but for some reason, the idea ofneedinghelp made me feel weak. Incapable.
It had taken Hazel months to convince me to move here with her, and even then, she never once mentioned wanting to help me. She probably knew I would have said no. One day she just showed up at my apartment saying one of the houses had become available, insisting it would be too big for her to live in alone. Plus, she argued that Atlas would approve of the neighborhood, knowing his son was growing up in one of the best supernatural school districts in the country.
It was time to switch Aspen over to the other breast, so I maneuvered him to my shoulder, patting his back and rubbing it until he let out a satisfied burp. Then I moved him to the other side.
