Page 115 of Hexed & Hazy

She stands in the doorway, smiling sheepishly. “I’m here to talk about⁠—”

“Work?” I lift an eyebrow.

Her shoulders slump. “Well… yes. I’m so sorry. The boutique just closed, and I meant to come over sooner, but⁠—”

“It’s all right.” I’ve practiced this, and now Aspen is giving me an opportunity to set my boundaries. Instead of opening my laptop, I stand. “It’s just past my office hours, but if you want to meet for coffee tomorrow, we can chat then.”

The disappointment I’m expecting never comes. Aspen steps closer and taps my nose. “Good job. That was a test.”

I roll my eyes and turn my back on her. “You’re ridiculous.”

My sisters have all been supportive of my boundary setting as of late, and the more time passes, the better I’m getting at it. I’ve even learned to go an entire weekend without checking my phone.

Though, admittedly, I look down at it now. There’s a single text from Seth.

Seth

Don’t forget to bring the bag.

I won’t let you in the door without it.

I stow my phone in my pocket and pick up the duffel bag in question from my bed. It’s neatly packed, though the contents won’t remain within the container for too long.

“Oooh,” Aspen croons. “Is Seth taking you on a romantic getaway?”

“No.” I slip into my shoes, offering no further information. “As I said, we’ll get coffee tomorrow. I’m just going over to Seth’s for the night.”

“Sounds good.”

This isn’t a grand event, but my heart is still hammering away as I carry the bag across the street to Seth’s home. His mother answers the door, seemingly having a good pain day—she’s perkier than usual, and the house smells of garlic and ginger.

“Ro.” She wraps an arm around my shoulder. “Dinner is almost ready. I’ll make you a plate.”

“We’ll eat with you,” I say, soft and assuring. “Just give me a moment to, um… put my things away.”

I’m unpacking. In their home.

Luckily, Liezel has always been quite happy with my presence, and she didn’t seem to question it when I began sleeping over. It’s better this way. Seth can be here if she needs anything, but we’re still close enough to my house, which I don’t see myself moving out of anytime soon.

I shuffle into the bedroom where I find Seth watering his plants and tidying up. The few plants I saw when I first visited his room have grown, and there are more—enough to fill up the space with beautiful green life.

“Well.” I lift my duffel bag. “I did it.”

“Oh, yeah?”

He leans against his dresser and crosses his arms, looking me up and down. “Let me see the haul.”

My face is bright red as I set the bag down on his bed and unzip it, bringing out the first item: a perfectly folded outfit, and then another.

“Spare clothes,” I say. “I hope it isn’t too much.”

“Not even a little.” He opens one of the drawers. “Cleaned this one out for you already. Hand it over.”

I do, and he sets them down. “You have a lot more room in here.”

“Enough for… my pajamas?” I pull out two pairs next: one sultry nightgown and a more comfortable, warm flannel set.

“More than enough room for that. What else did you bring?”