Page 100 of Bonded By Tea and Tarot

I glance at Hayden, then Aury, but neither says a word. Hayden nods to the note, so I open it to find a receipt. I frown and scan the list.

Hillside Public Library, October 23

1. Floriography: An Illustrated Guide

2. Witchcraft for Omegas

3. Energy, Wands, and Mother Earth

4. Mysterious Crystals and More

5. A Green Witch’s Natural Healing Handbook

6. For the Love of Flowers

7. Midwest Foraging

8. The Witch’s Book of Protection

9. Poisonous Plants and Their Many Uses

10. Dear Moon Goddess

11. The Sentiment of Flowers

12. Native Flora and Fauna of Michigan

13. The Hidden World of Mushrooms

Total number of books: 13

Due date: November 20

Hayden holds out their elbow in a clear indication for me to take it, so I do. Aury bends to press a kiss to my lips, then he steps aside for us to pass. Hayden walks me out to their car, opens the passenger door, doesn’t buckle me in—which ironically makes me hiccup a weird laugh-cry—then they slide into the driver’s seat.

“Where to, little witch?”

I look down at the receipt. “Um, I think the library?”

“Very good.” They smile and put the car in gear, while I try to ignore the flutter in my heart.

“I missed you yesterday,” Hayden says, the first real words I’ve heard in what feels like ages. “I’m glad I have today off.”

“Why?” I jump on the opening. “What do you have going on today?”

Hayden turns to look directly at me and grins, a delighted smile lighting up their entire face and their eyes twinkling at me from behind those round glasses. I only barely stop myself from swooning. Hayden’s hot as fuck on any given day, but when they radiate joy like that? Moon Goddess help anyone who gets hit by it, myself included. I think my panties are already drenched.

“Nice try, pretty witch,” Hayden says with a soft chuckle. “Let’s just say today is for you.”

“What does that mean?” I demand, frustrated and more than a little turned on.

They smile and turn back to the road, serene as can be. I huff and cross my arms, glaring out the window until the library comes into view. Only then do I realize it’s a Sunday. “The library isn’t open on Sundays.”

“Isn’t it?” Hayden says. They pull into the lot and park, giving me a look that says not to move. I debate disobeying, but decide to play along for now. They stride around the car, long legs eating up the asphalt and powerful body doing nothing to quell my omega urges. Then they open my door and offer a hand to help me out.

I roll my eyes and accept it, letting them tug me along with them as we stride up to the library entrance. “I’m telling you⁠—”

The doors open, and I snap my mouth closed. Bea is waiting inside with a stack of books in their arms, and they hold them out for me as we walk up to them. The top one has another brown notecard stuck between the pages like a bookmark.