Nothing.
Who was I kidding? My magic was probably dead. Derek had drained the spark out of me over the last few years, and it was all my fault for letting him.
I should tell my friend. Her water magic and telekinesis were always stronger than mine. Maybe she could help. But I couldn’t pile something else on her plate—not when she faced her own set of problems.
Catherine’s soft voice pulled me from my brooding, andI blinked up at her. “So, we should plan to have dinner again before you leave. I’ll be pretty busy the next few days, but maybe next week?”
I shoved aside my worries over my magic and focused on my friend. “I’d love that. With the reunion on Saturday, I’m sure I’ll get pulled into helping with stuff, so who knows if I’ll have any time before Sunday anyway. Monday or Tuesday before I head home would be perfect.”
“Are you excited for the reunion?” she asked, her tone casual.
“Of course. It’s always good to see family,” I said automatically.
Catherine pursed her lips.
“Okay, it’s a little stressful. But it’s worth it to see my gran.”
She nodded, looking thoughtful.
“So what’s your plan?” I asked, changing the subject.
“Other than puppy-sitting and job applications, nothing really,” she said, her gaze going distant.
I wanted to pry and see if I could help, but I wasn’t good at that sort of thing. I’d probably just upset her. Gnawing on my bottom lip, I looked for our server. Maybe more snacks and drinks would help.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur. We laughed at childhood memories of running around the small town getting in trouble together and playing mermaids in the surf until we were burnt to a crisp.
One glass of wine turned into two until we finished the bottle. The mini lobster roll bites I’d ordered from the bar didn’t soak up nearly enough alcohol, and by the time we left, my hips swayed a bit too much.
“It’s getting late. I need to head back,” Catherine said.
“Okay, but text me when you get home, okay?”
We hugged again, harder this time, and I ran my hands down Catherine’s glossy waves. I’d always been jealous of her beautiful hair when we were kids. She was stunning.
“You too!” she said, waving as she headed to the exit.
Absently, I tugged on the tips of my champagne hair, noticing the split ends.
Maybe I should chop it off—fresh start, and all that. No, I was tipsy, and that wasn’t a good state for making decisions about my hair. Cutting my own bangs in college had taught me that lesson.
Sighing, I straightened and looked across the bar. My eyes locked with a stranger’s. He was staring directly at me with soft gray eyes shadowed by tousled silver hair. Despite the hair, he was young, and honestly gorgeous. Definitely something supernatural.
My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly spun away, my face flaming. My sense of time wasn’t great, and I had no idea how long I’d been staring back at him. That stranger probably thought I was an absolute weirdo. There was no telling how long I’d stared at him.
I was more intoxicated than I realized.
The world rippled around me, and I locked my focus in on walking straight and smooth. My heels didn’t help. Luckily it was only two blocks back to my rental condo, and the walk was along the beach.
Moonlight illuminated the scene, painting the sand ivory and the waves into molten silver. I couldn’t help myself. Slipping off my shoes, I stepped off the sidewalk and into the sand. It squished between my toes, and I closed my eyes for a moment, lost to childhood memories of running along this beach.
I’d give anything to live in Crescent Cove full time.Summers here with my grandmother were the best part of my childhood. The sense of longing stole my breath.
Tears wet the back of my hand as I swiped at my eyes. I had a full nine days in town, and I vowed not to waste it crying over the fact I’d have to leave—back to the city, back to my soul-sucking job and my empty apartment. It seemed unbearable, but I’d manage. I always did.
Sand rippled over my feet as I trekked along the beach. The roughness felt good, and I didn’t care if I was destroying my pedicure.
My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out of my pocket to see a text from my mother, moving our coffee date back a few hours so she could sleep in. I typed back my agreement and hit send before shoving the technology back into my pocket. I didn’t want to spend my time with my mother and sister, but we were there for a family reunion, so it seemed inevitable.The last thing I wanted was to listen to lectures about my divorce.
