Page 26 of Hexed & Hazy

“Seth? As in, Seth Bautista? I can’t imagine anyone would want to curse him.”

“Nor can I. We tried a cleansing bath, but it didn’t work. It seems trickier than that.”

“And you’re sure it’s a love hex? There are other kinds, you know.”

“Almost positive.” I roll my eyes. “He says it’s been impacting his dating life. Exclusively.”

“Hm…” She taps her long, manicured nails against the glass counter. “Then you’ll have to figure out who he wronged and make it right. If it’s a hex, not a curse, it probably isn’t anything too serious. Nothing that can’t be cured with a bit of communication.”

“Is that the easiest way? Talking about it?”

“If you already tried the cleanse, and it didn’t work, yes. Or you can give it time, but there’s no saying how many things could go wrong in the meantime. If the witch is still upset, the hex could change, start creating bad luck around other types of relationships, like…” Her face falls.

“Like family?” I ask, my voice raw.

She nods somberly.

Liezel.

She’s already ill, and the last thing he needs is another reason to worry about her.

I look away, my jaw tightening. “I am going to keep that bit of information to myself, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course.” She squeezes my arm. “Remember, until you find who cast the hex, don’t assume the worst. But make sure he doesn’t deserve it. We don’t want anyone else getting hurt, do we?”

Aspen gives me a knowing look.

I could get hurt. In a way, being in Seth’s life has always been a point of pain and pleasure. The moments we share bring me such great bliss, but there’s harm in knowing the silly crush I’ve always had on him will never be returned.

It started in high school. He was always popular, and I… definitely wasn’t. Debate club. Academic decathlon. Chess club.

Meanwhile, Seth was an athlete, beloved by all. But he didn’t care if the other students made fun of him for being friends with me. He would sit with me at lunch, walk me to class, and he was never afraid to stand up for me.

I was a friend. And that was all I’d ever be. He always had his eye on someone else, and after a while, I learned to stifle my feelings.

And then, there’s greater pain when I realize how pathetic it all sounds. I’ve never found the strength to say it aloud, to him or anyone else, and even with Aspen looking at me as if she can see my entire soul, I won’t start now.

She’s never been the sort to pay attention to anything outside of her interests in fashion, beauty, and love, and I’ve often silently judged her for it, but when she looks at me like that… I wonder if she knows me better than she’s ever let on.

How many people can see right through my facade? I’m in love with the boy next door. I’ve always been in love with him, and he’ll never truly look my way. He’s annoyingly oblivious, truly disinterested, and I’m… ridiculous.

“I have to get to work,” I whisper. “See you at home.”

Chapter 10

Seth

“You have the prettiest eyes. Has anyone ever told you that?”

My smile flickers. And fades.

I rarely mind customers flirting, and I’ll never turn down a compliment, but it’s a little harder to accept now that… well, I could put them in danger. Or at the very least, I’ll make a fool of myself. I still don’t know enough about hexes.

Even though she’s nowhere nearby, I can almost hear Rowan telling me we have other things to focus on. And she would be right.

“Thanks,” I say, handing over the change. “Have a great day.”

She drops the dollar bill into the tip jar—along with her phone number.