39. Epilogue

Epilogue

Zoe - One month later

W e all congregated in the kitchen, staring down at the newspaper ad on the kitchen island. "What is this?" Who even placed ads in newspapers anymore? But there it was in black and white.

Our house was for sale.

"Why wouldn't she talk to us first?" Rory asked. She had recovered just fine. Lewis had kept watch all night and when she woke up the next day she had been right as rain. Lewis was back to his old, weird self, taking up a position on the other side of the kitchen island as far away from her as he could. Both of them avoided eye contact with each other. But I couldn't be bothered with whatever was up with them right now. We were about to lose our home.

"I suppose we don't need the house to stay together?" Rory said.

"I mean, yeah," I agreed. "We don't need those UV windows anymore now that you have your necklace."

Rory grinned, fingering the rose gold sunflower pendant that hung between her collarbones. We had spent the last few weeks outside in the sun by the pool. Rory's skin had tanned beautifully and I had never seen her happier .

"Why would she sell the house when I'm still here?" The anguish in Lexi's voice was apparent.

Even though we had found out how Lexi had died, we were still no closer to finding out why she hadn't moved on. Why was she still bound to the house? We'd all wondered, but none of us would voice it. I thought finding out what happened to her would bring her peace. But she was still here. I was afraid that after learning what had happened, she would turn into a vengeful spirit, and we had all been keeping an eye on her.

"Shit," I swore. "Maybe I can try and bind you to something else? That way you can come with us."

"Where's Dan?" Rory asked.

"I have no fucking clue. He left early this morning, but he seemed pleased as punch," I said. I reached through the bond, questioning him but all he sent back was reassurance. I picked up my phone, calling Madame Picoult but her phone went straight to voicemail.

"Well, guess we'll pop his bubble when he gets back," Lewis said. "How much is it going for?"

"$3 million," I answered.

"Fuck, I won't see that kind of money till I get my inheritance," he said. Lewis was rich on his own. The gym was his and everything he had right now he earned on his own merit, but his family was wealthy.

"Think your ojiisan will give us a loan?" I asked him.

Lewis gave me an unimpressed look. His grandfather was the sole reason he had made his own name. He didn't understand why Lewis wanted to start something on his own instead of taking over his hotel empire. But the old man loved me for some reason. I suspected it was because he thought I was a clown. And I lived to entertain.

"No need to spend your inheritance, Lew," Daniel said, walking into the kitchen with a wide smile and a manilla folder in his hand .

"Good morning, darling," he said, wrapping his arms around my shoulders from behind and dropping a kiss on my neck. I smiled when I spotted the triquetra tattoo on the inside of his left wrist. We'd all gotten them done in the same place, our new coven tattoo.

"What have you been up to?" I asked.

"Check the folder," he replied.

I reached for the folder, undoing the flap and pulling a stack of papers out.

A frown formed on my face as I scanned the pages, flipping to the end.

"You bought the house?"

"I bought the house," he confirmed cheerfully. "But we all own it."

He pointed to the last page where there were spaces for all our signatures. "Well, technically I couldn't include Lexi on account of her being dead. But this will always be your house, your home and your family."

"For as long as I'm still around," she said.

"Don't worry, Lexi. You're family. We'll figure it all out. I promise," I said.

An envelope fell from the folder when I replaced the papers. "It's addressed to me, Rory and Lexi," I said, staring at the front of it. The two of them came to stand on either side of me as I opened it.

My dearest Zoe, Rory and Lexi,

Girls, as you know the future is a fickle thing. No one knows how their actions might influence what's still to come. Divination is a murky area of our craft and so, this is what had to happen in order for my vision to come to fruition.

Lexi, my darling Lexi. I am so sorry for doing this to you. I should have let you go, but you can't blame a grandmother for trying to hold on to the brightest spot in her life. I was selfish, but this is the only way to fix this.

The house was always meant to be yours and with your new family, I hope that you get everything your heart desires.

Zoe and Rory, thank you for everything you've done for my girl. I know you will right this old woman's wrongs. I've seen it, although you should be well aware that I cannot tell you how. You will find your way.

May luck go with you.

All my love, Olivia Picoul t

"How did you do this?" Rory asked Daniel. "We literally just found out now." She stabbed her finger at the newspaper ad.

"I have property notifications set up," he said with a shrug. "It's a good investment opportunity. So when I got the notification last night, I rushed to the property agent first thing this morning. She sold it to me for a dollar."

"A dollar?!" I exclaimed. "Like one dollar? Why?"

"She didn't want anyone else to put in an offer, I suppose," Daniel said with a shrug.

"And the sale went through that quickly?" Lewis asked.

"Well, no. It still needs to be transferred and all that. But essentially this place is ours."

I turned around in his arms, burying my face in his chest. I knew he could feel how happy and grateful I was. So I just held on.

"Well, this calls for a celebration!" Lewis declared. He opened the fridge, rummaging around before pulling out a bottle of champagne.

"It's non-alcoholic," he said.

"How long have you been hiding that there?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I figured we'd get a win some day. Seemed like a good idea."

"Stop hiding things in my fridge," I said.

"Well, according to your mate, it's my house now too. So…" He stuck his tongue out at me.

"Now, now, children. Play nice," Daniel said.

He untangled himself from me and reached up to one of the higher cupboards to get four champagne flutes out. Lewis poured us each a glass and Rory blushed and thanked him softly when he passed her one.

"To friends who are family, to love always winning and to this incredible fucking home!" Lewis declared, raising his glass .

"Cheers!" we all cried out, clinking our glasses together. The bubbles danced on my tongue, along with the happiness in my chest. I looked around the kitchen, that feeling in my chest expanded, appreciating the people who chose to be my family.

The End

Thank you for reading A Grumpy Witch's Guide to Finding Love . While Zoe and Daniel got their Happy Ever After, the story doesn't end here.

Click the link for more chaos and shenanigans featuring Zoe and Daniel: https://BookHip.com/BKCSXXD

Read on for a sneak peek of Lewis and Rory's story.