6. Chapter 6

Chapter 6

E asily the best remedy for raging uncertainty was keeping busy.

Olivia learned that lesson early on as a kid. On the days when she would wonder why she was born the way she was. When she became angry because her legs prevented her from doing things that other kids could. She spent so much time alone wrestling with both her Cerebral Palsy and her magic, that she needed a distraction. She would focus on schoolwork or read a book. She also spent an embarrassing amount of time sitting in the New York Public Library reading fiction about magic. As if that would give her any real answers.

Now, as an adult, keeping busy meant making sure her business ran smoothly. Some days that meant balancing the books or checking the inventory. Hell, she had even spent entire days refilling napkin holders and salt and pepper shakers. But most days, like today, that meant a lot of baking.

There was nothing better than her hands in a bowl of fresh dough, the smell of yeast overtaking just about everything else. But despite being non-stop busy since the moment she arrived this morning and the concentration kneading dough took, she could not stop thinking about Draven. It was driving her crazy.

It wasn’t just that she was certain he was her new neighbor. It was his very existence. She hated to admit it, but he reminded her of Shawn. Not so much in looks, probably because Draven was a grown man and she’d only know Shawn as a scrawny seventeen-year-old, but their personalities were similar.

They both had that unwavering confidence, like nothing could stop them from getting what they wanted. It scared her where Draven was concerned, because there was no way he wasn’t after something. The fact that she seemed to be the only one who cared what he was up to made it that much worse. It wasn’t like she didn’t trust her friends when they assured her they didn’t trust Draven either. But something about him made her feel like this was her problem to take care of.

Maybe it was the similarities to Shawn. Or maybe it was the way he made her feel, flustered and out of control, but also like something inside of him could relate to the lost little girl inside of her. That maybe he, like her, just wanted someone to accept him, flaws and all. Or the way he looked at her the day they met. Like he could see right through her. Like he knew her deepest desires. She couldn’t get those blue eyes out of her head. Or that smile. Or the sound of his voice.

All of this made her feel awful about herself. He lied straight to her face and all she could focus on was how good-looking he was.

It was infuriating.

So last night, she had used a reflection spell. It was one that let the caster spy on a person through reflective surfaces.

Not that it had done any good. He spent most of the night in his room at the inn reading. Truly riveting stuff.

She also had Parker let her and Jill know whenever he came and went from the inn. Malcolm mentioned he’d been in the store a few times and he stopped by the bakery at least once a day. She noticed every single time he passed by the window when he didn’t stop in. Parker said he’d asked her about the ocean his first day in town. So that must’ve been where he was headed each time he strolled down Main Street.

What was it about the ocean that drew him there every day? Was he just trying to blend in? Was he spying and visiting the beach was just a convenient excuse?

The fact that her heart always sped up whenever she got a glimpse of him was driving her up the wall. She wanted to see him, even if she couldn’t and wouldn’t admit it out loud. She was drawn to him and to the air of mystery that surrounded him. To that haunted look, he sometimes had in his eyes.

He was too much.

Now, he was probably moving next door to her.

As if that weren't bad enough, her feelings were causing small outbursts of magic. Mainly that the flowers in her garden out back had doubled in quantity since Monday night, the same day she met Draven.

At first, she thought nothing of it, tried to ignore it. But she couldn’t keep him off her mind. It was borderline obsessive the way she was constantly thinking of him. What was he doing right now? Did he know about witches and magic? What was he hiding?

The flowers continued to bloom over the next few days, much to her embarrassment and frustration. She tried using a banishing spell, but they just kept coming back.

She just could not bring herself to confide in her two best friends. They would ask too many questions. Questions she did not even want to think about, let alone answer.

Magic was tied to emotions and hers were all over the place. It worried her. The last time she felt like this was right before she and Daniel moved here. She was restless and on edge for days. Her magic was bursting out of her at odds times, with or without an actual spell to direct it. Like her magic knew something big was going to happen before she did.

The second was when she found out she was pregnant. The first right before that, when Shawn left her. It occurred when she was to go through a big change.

It could not be a coincidence. Which meant Draven’s presence in town signaled upheaval for her. It could be good; it could be bad. She was inclined to believe it was the latter.

“Well, someone is really going through it this morning,” Jill said from across the kitchen, startling her from her thoughts.

She looked up from where she was currently rolling out her dough for a pie crust. She was usually meticulous and never messy, but at this moment, her station and her apron were less than pristine. Her hair was coming loose from the tie she had it in and she could feel flour tickling her nose.

“What do you mean?” she asked, but she trailed off, realizing that there was no point. In their group of friends, everyone always knew everything. Whether it was intuition or some kind of witch telepathy, they did not have secrets.

“Oh, come on, Liv. Something is happening. We all feel it, so I know you're feeling it too,” Jill claimed with an air of definitiveness that Olivia did not dare contradict. There was no point. Not when Jill was absolutely right.

She was determined to keep her guard up around Draven.

Not that it mattered. There was no way anything could ever happen between them. She had no patience for secrets and lies. Especially where romance was concerned. If two people couldn’t be open and honest about who they were, what the hell was the point?

She learned that lesson the hard way.

She revealed her magic to Shawn in the hopes of being honest with him so that they could have a real future together outside of high school. It was important to her to be completely honest before heading out into the world.

Thinking something small to start with would be fine; she conjured a few flowers in her hand using a spell she had made herself, Flora . Nothing too flashy so as to ease him into things slowly.

At first, he just stared and stared at that flower. Then he stared at her, eyes wide with shock, mouth frozen in what she could only describe as horror. Those were truly the longest ten seconds of her life.

Then he backed away, yelling and screaming, hands held out in defense. He was scared, and it shattered her heart. He ran as fast and as far as he could. A few weeks later, she discovered she was pregnant. When she tracked him down and told him, Shawn said he wanted nothing to do with their baby either.

He made that abundantly clear when he summed up who he thought she was with the single most hurtful word that was ever thrown her way: freak.

It hurt even more because he had never been bothered by her Cerebral Palsy. She thought that meant he would be accepting of her magic. But she was wrong. She was a fool and from then on, she had sworn off any kind of romantic attachment.

Of course, her friends wouldn’t hear of it and pushed guys on her every once in a while. But it never amounted to anything. That was probably her fault, as she tended to keep most people at arm's length. But it was just easier that way. The fewer people she let into her life, the less likely she was to get hurt. It could be lonely at times. But it was necessary so that no one would ever be able to hurt her the way Shawn did again.

Plus, she had Daniel to consider. The family she found here was special. They were good people who loved unconditionally. But most people weren’t like that and she wouldn’t let Daniel feel the pain she had.

"It’s okay if you have feelings for Draven, you know,” Jill said, pulling her out of her head and back to the current conversation with her bestie. “Not every guy out there is like him , Olivia. You can't go holding what Shawn did against every guy you meet. That isn't fair."

Shit. Jill was way too perceptive sometimes.

“Shawn has nothing to do with this.” She set the dough aside, pulling the mixer over and attaching the dough hook. “And I’m not interested in Draven at all. How could I be? He’s a liar, Jill. No one comes to Addersfield for a change of scenery. You know how the protection spell works. How many times do I need to remind you of that?”

Jill scoffed, her eyebrow arching. “Come on, Liv. I’m not stupid. I know we can’t trust Draven. I’m just saying maybe we should give him a chance to earn our trust. In the meantime, we’re all being careful. But you know that something is going on. I can feel it. I know you can too and it started when Draven got to town. But you're fighting it so much that you refuse to consider that him being here could mean something good.”

Olivia sighed. “I'm not fighting anything. I'm just not going to rush to the conclusion that a new guy shows up and that means he's automatically my soul mate or something. I refuse to put any trust in him until I know his intentions. Just because you've decided to like him doesn't mean I have to.”

“Oh, honey, you are so in denial. You know it all means something. Why can't you admit it?”

She grabbed a bowl for the dough and slammed it down on the counter, her frustration starting to boil over. The dough went into the bowl with plastic wrap over the top so it could rise. "Draven being here could threaten the town’s safety. But you're so desperate for me to meet someone you're jumping to conclusions. We’re witches, Jill, and our magic gives us certain instincts. How can you just ignore them?”

“I’m not ignoring anything. We checked on the book just like you suggested. It’s safe and secure as always on the altar. Parker is going to keep a close eye on it just in case and we all agreed at the last family dinner to keep an eye on him. You know that. We can spread the word around town that everyone needs to be on their best behavior. No superfluous magic,” Jill said, following her as she moved out of the kitchen and to the front of the shop. “Come on, Liv. As your best friend, I can't let you deny the facts. You like him, or at the very least, you’re attracted to him. There’s nothing wrong with that. At least admit he's hot and I'll call it a day, a slow unproductive day, but a day nonetheless.”

“Jeez, Jill. Yes, he's hot, Okay? I admit it. Are you happy now?”

“I'm getting there. But I'd be thrilled if you admitted there’s something brewing between you two.”

Olivia rolled her eyes. “Brewing? Seriously, Jill? That is not going to happen; I barely know the man for Christ’s sake,” she quipped, re-tying her apron and adjusting her hair so she was a bit more presentable. She didn’t want to scare the customers away.

“You’re no fun,” Jill replied with a dramatic sigh.

“And you’re just bored. I truly do not understand your obsession with my love life. We do this all the time. Why can’t you just let it go?”

“Because Liv. You’re my best friend. I love you and I just want you to be happy.”

She groaned. “But I am happy, Jill. I love my life just the way it is. Since when did you start thinking I needed a man in my life to be happy? Do you not know me at all?”

“I’m not saying you need a man to be happy. I’m saying I think you’d be happier if you had someone to share your life with.”

“You think Draven is that someone, do you?”

“No. I don’t know. But maybe he could be.”

“And I’m saying it’s never going to happen. Next subject, please.” Olivia turned, getting ready to refill the coffee pots when she had the sudden urge to glance out the window.

There, crossing the street and heading their way, was Draven.

Shit. How the hell did she always seem to know when he was in the vicinity? So much for getting Jill off the subject.

Be strong, Olivia. He's just a man. You can handle this.

But the moment the bell above the front door sounded and Draven stepped in, her resistance fell by the wayside. If this were a cartoon, there would be hearts coming out of her eyes.

He was still frustratingly good-looking. When his eyes caught hers and he offered a warm, friendly smile, her resolve weakened further. Maybe she could give him a chance.

Dammit. Why did he have to be friendly? And charming? And hot?

He approached the counter, his hands coming to grab the edge as he leaned closer to her. There was still some distance between them, but her senses were flooded instantly. He looked amazing in his dark blue jeans and long-sleeved black Henley. He smelled of mint and sandalwood. “We meet again,” he said.

Damn him.

“So, it would seem. You stalking me or something?” Was this how flirting worked? She could hardly remember. She wanted to give it her best shot. No better way to weasel information out of a man than to make him think you’re interested in him, right? She was flirting to get information. That was all. Not because she was actually interested in him. Absolutely not.

So, she let herself sink into the richness of his laugh and she let herself be charmed by the cute way he ran a hand through his hair in a show of slight embarrassment. She was just playing a part.

“Not exactly. I'm here for more delicious coffee and donuts.”

Could this guy be any nicer? In her experience, no guy was this nice for no reason. Although she had limited dating experience, she’d been exposed to some truly cringe-worthy dudes over the years. Which meant he wanted something from her. It was possible that something was actually coffee and donuts, but she was inclined to believe otherwise for obvious reasons.

“Well, I’m happy to oblige. Your usual? Large black coffee and a glazed donut?”

Be nice. Keep him talking and maybe he’ll stick around a little longer.

“Yes, please. I guess now that I have my own place, I could buy a coffee pot. But then I thought, why bother? When my lovely new neighbor owns a shop that sells coffee and stopping here every morning is easily the best part of my day.”

Did he just say… Shit.

“New neighbor?”

He full-on smirked. “Didn’t Parker tell you? I was looking for a place to rent and she mentioned the house next to yours was available.”

Dammit, Parker. A little warning would have been nice.

“Did she really?”

“She did. It’s perfect, really. Since you so kindly offered to help me with my book. Now that we’re neighbors, we’ll be able to chat all the time.”

Smug bastard. Just when she was starting to think he might be a decent guy. He was enjoying this, putting her on the spot. He probably knew she didn’t like him and was just trying to rub the situation in her face that she was stuck with him now.

Why the hell had she offered to help him? It was supposed to be a way to get him to talk to her. She never actually expected him to want her help. Especially with a book she didn’t believe he was actually writing.

“It’s like it was meant to be,” Jill said, failing to stifle a laugh.

She cringed. Subtle Jill was not. Dammit! This was only going to make her more relentless where Draven was concerned.

He only grinned and shrugged.

“How about we get you that coffee?" she asked, silencing Jill with a glare before her friend could say anything else.

She got him his order quickly, wanting him gone as soon as possible. She needed time to think, and she could not do that with him here with his gorgeous hair, sparkling eyes, and a jaw that could cut glass. Honestly, the man was infuriating.

“Thanks. I’ll be seeing you around, neighbor.”

He winked before strolling out the door like he didn’t have a care in the world. The bastard had actually winked at her.

Once he disappeared down the street, she turned back towards Jill to glower at her again. Twice in less than a minute, that had to be a new record.

“Meant to be, Jill? Really? I am totally going to get you back for that; you know that, right?”

Jill practically chortled with glee. “Worth it. Totally, completely worth it.”