Page 36 of Bonded By Tea and Tarot

Siobhan

I leave tai chi on Monday feeling extraordinarily pleased with myself.

Tell Aury how I feel? Check.

Kiss him for the first time? Check.

Nail each form we learn? Check.

Flirt until he’s red in the face? Check check check.

He insisted on walking me out, and I was hoping for another kiss, but we didn’t have any privacy so I think that’s why he didn’t push it.

I swing through my front door feeling as light as air. Everything is going as it should be. The alphas have another date planned for tomorrow, and I’m going to tell them about Aury. They can get on board or kick rocks. My head is feeling much better and I can hopefully take this splint off my wrist tomorrow. The injury has given me a lot of sympathy engagement online though, so I’m not too furious about having to wear it. Other than the fact it’s put a damper on my normally flawless shuffling.

I pop some fake chicken nuggets into the air fryer and slice up a red bell pepper, then dump a glob of ketchup, mayo, and a couple spoonfuls of pickle juice into a dip bowl to make fry sauce. It’s my favorite girl dinner. I don’t care what anyone says about it. I pull up my social feeds while I eat, only half-paying attention as I scroll.

I reply to comments and return engagement. Send my auto-reply to requests for readings, directing them to my website. Then I notice that a bunch of the notifications tagging me are all on the same post again, so I click to open it.

It’s a carousel with screenshots from both my account and Hels Spells. Somehow, the internet sleuths have figured out that we both live in Michigan and want us to collab. I shake my head as I scroll through the comments, thankfully not finding anything alarming. Just a bunch of fans hoping for some cross over content.

If it was with anyone else, I’d absolutely consider it.

I comment on the post, saying I’m injured and won’t be able to make it work. Toss in a couple sad face emojis and a witchy sparkle, then hit the arrow to publish it.

My phone vibrates in my hand right as I’m about to set it down.

Jayce: Looking forward to tomorrow. How was your Monday?

I grin and bite my lip, deciding how to respond.

Me: What’s the plan for tomorrow, anyways? My Monday was good. I got some more content posted, did my usual readings. I also take tai chi classes at the community center on Mondays so that was fun.

Jayce: That’s cool, I didn’t know they had tai chi classes. Maybe we should check it out with you sometime.

Jayce: Do you like surprises? I’m happy to tell you, but I think it would be more fun as a surprise.

I lower my phone and stare across the kitchen into the living area, considering it. Do I want it to be a surprise this time? They seem like good guys, but I don’t really know them yet.

Me: I do like surprises, for future reference, but I think I’d rather know this time since this is still so new.

Jayce: That’s a smart call. How do you feel about a foraging date?

Foraging? Like… for mushrooms? Or for witchy things? My heart skips at beat, because either way, it’s such a unique date idea. Before I can reply, he messages again.

Jayce: We wouldn’t be alone. Figured taking you into the woods for date two might not feel the safest for you so we found a local guide who offers group foraging expeditions. So it would be with a group of about 8, plus the guide.

Me: That sounds amazing, thank you! I love this idea.

Jayce: Glad to hear it. Weather says it’ll be cooling down fast tomorrow evening, so make sure to bring layers.

I roll my eyes. Freaking alphas. As though I’m not a twenty-eight year old woman who grew up in this town.

Me: Yes, alpha

Jayce: Don’t tease me like that, pretty omega

Me: [smile emoji] How was your Monday?