“Twenty-six. It’s not that. I don’t want to come between you two. I’d like to date one of you, but I hate to hurt the other’s feelings. There’s one thing I know about women, none of them want to feel second best.”
“Ain’t that the truth.” Gwyneth said. “So, which one of us are y’all choosin’?”
“Morgaine and I seem to have more of a connection, Gwyneth. I don’t want to insult you, but I think she and I might really hit it off.” Was he imagining it, or did Morgaine’s eyes widen as if she were shocked.
Gwyneth rose. “Well, I won’t be botherin’ you, anymore Sly. I know when I’m beatin’ a dead horse…so to speak.”
Morgaine bolted upright. “Gwyneth, you’ll still help Sly by going to Salem, right? I mean, he’s still our friend—even if he doesn’t want to have a romantic relationship.”
“Of course. What do y’all take me for? I ain’t someone who turns her back on a friend.” She turned up her pert little nose. “I’ll even help him set up and run the still, just like I promised.”
Morgaine visibly relaxed. “Good.”
“Well, Sly. I guess I’ll mosey on. Y’all let me know if…”
Morgaine sent her a head-shake.
“What? I was just gonna say—”
“I know what you were going to say.”
Gwyneth threw her hands in the air and walked out muttering something about how folks have the right to change their minds.
Morgaine moved toward the door but stopped before she got there. “Did you mean what you said about me, or were you just saying that to discourage any more of my cousin’s advances?”
Sly strolled over to her and took her hand. “I absolutely meant it.”
She smiled shyly, then glanced up the stairs. “I’m sorry about her. I don’t know if she has the maturity to understand, completely. I’ll explain that it wasn’t personal.”
“Can you stay for a few minutes?”
“Sure.”
Sly closed his door and led her back to his couch. “I don’t have much to offer in the way of refreshment, but I do have that champagne Merry gave me. Would you like some?”
“I thought you didn’t have a corkscrew.”
He chuckled. “My champagne doesn’t need a corkscrew. I was just making a joke. I didn’t really want to open it then.”
“But you do now?”
He tipped his head and shrugged. “Why not? Unless you don’t want it since it’s not chilled. No electricity means no refrigeration.”
She hesitated a moment, then mirrored his gesture and said, “No, I don’t mind. Sure. Why not?”
She waited on his couch while he strolled to the kitchen. He watched her stare into the candle flames as if in deep concentration.
This witch fascinated him. He could read the other one like a book. A book with two pages, including an index that referred every item to page one.Not that she’s shallow or anything…
Morgaine was far more complex and raised questions he would love answered. Prying wasn’t in his nature though. He’d let their connection form organically.
He grabbed a couple glasses and set them on the counter. Then pulled the champagne out of the fridge and ripped off the foil paper to open it. When the cork popped, Morgaine jumped.
“Are you okay, Morgaine?”
She chuckled. “Yeah. I just forgot about the pop when opening Champagne. I should have been ready for it.”
Jeez, she has quite a startle reflex.Sly strolled over with the glasses and open champagne bottle. “Are you nervous?”
