Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 42942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
“Do you always wear black to the store?” I asked randomly. They both ignored me.
“I didn’t move the stool for you,” Lucy stated.
I looked at my sister, who shook her head.
A bubble of laughter came out. “What, next you’re going to tell me I moved it?”
“If the broomstick fits,” Sarah said with a smirk.
“You guys, I didn’t move the stool.” I stood and turned to face the stool. “If I moved it, then let it move back to where it was.”
When the stool slid across the floor to the table, I covered my mouth with both hands and cried out, “Holy fuck!”
“This is why you shouldn’t be practicing the craft, Hollie. And you should never put a hex on someone. Our craft is about manifestation, protection, harmony, clearing…balance.”
I waved my hand in front of me. “Yes, yes, I know all of that. But you mean to tell me you’ve never put a spell on someone to…to…?”
They both leaned forward.
“To what, dear?”
“Make him notice you!” I cried out.
The bell on the front door chimed, and Sarah made her way out of the small room to greet the shoppers.
My aunt’s store was adorable. It wasn’t like some of the other “witch” stores in Salem. She sold a lot of products for self-care that she, Sarah, and my mother all made themselves. She also sold paper goods, art, and Salem-touristy things. But then there was the area of the store for people who practiced witchcraft. Things like potions, tarot and oracle decks, candles, and other wares a witch might need.
I’ll admit, I once bought her heart-mender potion when Lucas asked another girl to prom. Someone should have told me it would only mend my heart for, like, two days.
“If you needed help getting someone to notice you, you could have come to me. I would have helped you. Instead, you got drunk, used a spell you had no business using, and made a joke of it all. And look at what happened.”
“So, you think it was me? I’m the reason Lucas was hit by that car?”
“The important question here, Hollie, is do you believe it was you?”
I instantly started to chew on my thumbnail.
The door chimed again, and I heard Sarah greeting someone.
“Hi, Wendy! It’s so nice to see you.”
I rolled my eyes, and my hand took my other hand and gave it a squeeze. As much as I tried to forget all the mean things Wendy Hoffman had said to me when I was younger, it was hard to do. Especially when she had gotten her claws into Lucas.
“Hi, Sarah. I need some kind of lotion or bath salt for this rash that just appeared within the last hour.”
Gasping, I turned to face Lucy.
I mouthed, Oh, my God. Then started pointing to myself.
“Use your words, dear. I don’t read minds—that wasn’t one of my gifts.”
Grabbing my aunt by the arm, I pulled her further into the room and away from Sarah and Wendy. “I did that! Holy shit. Holy shit. Holy shit. When she left the hospital, I said I hoped she got a rash!”
“My goodness. Just think, if you honed in on that gift, how amazing you would be. Doing good, I mean. Right now, it seems you’re a little rusty.”
Spinning around on my heels, I made my way out to the main part of the store. Sarah was showing Wendy some products. I casually made my way closer to them.
“Oh, hey, Wendy. Fancy seeing you here.”
Wendy jumped and took a few steps away from me. My mouth fell open, and I couldn’t help but stare at the rash that was all over her face and neck.
She shot me a dirty look. “Hollie.”
“So, did you really mean that at the hospital when you said you were surprised that I wasn’t the one driving the car that hit Lucas?”
Sarah’s eyes nearly bugged out of her head as she looked at Wendy, then back to me. She pointed to her and mouthed, Did you do this?
I smiled a triumphant smile.
“Of course not, Hollie. I was upset. As you know, Lucas and I are very, very close.”
“Is that so?” I asked, feeling jealousy about to rear her ugly head. “I asked if you were dating, and he said no. That you’re just friends.”
She jerked as if I had just slapped her. Then a slow smile crossed her face as she tilted her head and replied, “With benefits, if you catch my meaning.”
I really don’t like this woman.
I was about to wish some hemorrhoids on her when Sarah cleared her throat.
I gave a one-shoulder shrug. “I didn’t get that vibe from him. Anyway, I hope you…” I used my finger to motion to her face and neck. “…get that cleared up soon. Looks bad.”
“Hollie, may I speak with you?” Lucy asked from across the room.
Flashing Wendy the fakest smile I could muster, I followed my aunt into her small office at the back of her store.