Page 25 of Bewitched & Bewildered (Witches of Starbrook #1)

Chapter 25

Ozan

The idea comes to me when I meet with my potion supplier. I’m paying out the ass for a few healing potions. My supplier is a wonderful older woman, and I’m glad to give her the business, but…

No one compares to Juniper. I’ve experienced her potions firsthand, and they’re strong. She puts her heart into them. Brewing is what she loves.

Running the shop may not be her passion, but there has to be a way for her to sell her potions.

It hits me.

I finish the transaction, don’t bother putting my potions away, and run to Juniper’s house in the pouring rain. She isn’t as excited as I thought she would be, but she’s open to hearing me out.

We sit at her kitchen table.

The clutter I used to see is gone, replaced with a bowl of oranges, apples, and pomegranates. The space is warm and filled with spice. Juniper being around has been good for the house, but if she wants to have more to sink her teeth into …

I know exactly what she can do.

“You won’t change my mind.” She sets a cup of tea before me. “But I welcome you to try. You know I love a challenge.”

I sigh, looking at her with love in my eyes. “I do know that about you.”

For a long time, I was the one challenging her. I didn’t mean to, but seeing her try to knock me down a few pegs became a favorite pastime. It breaks my heart to see her like this.

It’s been a time of rest for her, and she needs it, but she doesn’t seem happy. There are dark circles under her eyes. The fire I once saw there is put out. She’s still as beautiful as ever, sleepy and soft, but…

I want to see the passion in her eyes again—and I think she wants to see it, too. There’s a reason she’s sitting here with me instead of telling me to go home.

There are a few reasons, actually. Even though we haven’t discussed it, there’s a silent knowing that we’re more than friends. We’re more than a hookup, too. I don’t have a doubt in my mind that Juniper feels what I do…

And I love her. We’re not the type that needs to put it into words. Running to her in the cold, northeastern rain says it for me more than whispered words ever could.

“Come on, then. Tell me your brilliant idea.” She wraps her hands around her teacup.

I know the look in her eyes; she doesn’t dare be excited, but there’s a spark of hope.

“You didn’t love running the shop,” I say. “But you love making your potions. You can’t deny it.”

“And I won’t. I’ve always loved potions. I don’t need to brew them as a part of my job to love it.”

“But what if there’s another way for you to do it? ”

She tilts her head to the side. “If you want me to make potions for your shop, I will…”

That would be the easy way, but it feels wrong. Juniper is strong and independent. I love that she’s learning to lean on other people, but I don’t want her to lose the different parts of herself.

There’s more she can do.

I shake my head. “That’s not what I want. I want to stop selling potions.”

Her eyes bulge out of her head. “Why? If it’s about the gold chest, you can have ours! I’ll loan it to you. It’s no big deal?—”

“It’s not about the chest; I don’t want your chest. I want you to sell them yourself, Juni.”

“No way. I’m not opening a potion shop. There’s no point when you’re right down the street.”

“You can sell potions for half the price.”

“Yeah, but…”

“And I’m not talking about a potion shop. Not in a traditional sense.” I lift my teacup and take a delicate sip.

It’s still hot enough to scald my tongue.

“What are you talking about?” Her words are clipped short.

“I’m talking about bringing everything you’ve worked at in your life into one thing.” I set the teacup down. “You should open a bar.”

“What?”

“Sell your potions there, brew them there—and sell alcohol, too. We don’t have a good bar in Starbrook. You know that.”

“I do, but?—”

“You said you wanted to learn to mix drinks.”

“Well, I do!”

“They can come to me for spells and herbs and go to you for potions.”

Several moments pass, and her eyes are still wide. I hold my breath, waiting for her response. She may hate the idea. I know Juniper has worked at bars before, and I even know she liked it…

Or she liked some of it.

She didn’t enjoy working with the customers, but it’s different when you’re in charge. She’s supposed to be the one in charge. That’s why I won’t let her work for me.

“Oh my god,” she breathes. “That’s how I can make it my own. Why didn’t I think of this sooner?”

JUNIPER

It will take hard work, and I can’t do this alone.

I never envisioned running my own bar. Thinking of a bar alone isn’t appealing—but combining it with the potions? It’s unheard of, at least in Maine, and it may be what I need to make the shop my own.

This means I don’t have to sell my mother’s apothecary or get rid of our memories there. All I have to do is make it my own…like Ozan said from the start.

Goddess, I hate that he was right.

This time, when I gather with my sisters, Ozan is here too. His presence is new, and I can’t pretend it’s not strange. Everyone around the table is wearing a questioning look, but Ozan himself is surprisingly comfortable.

He always surprises me .

“I’m sure I’m giving all of you whiplash…” My hands shake with nerves.

How long will they support me before they tire of my fickle behavior?

“Oh, you totally are. So what?” Laurel shrugs. “I’ve been doing that most of my life. It’s your turn now.”

“I guess that’s true.” I press my lips together.

“Don’t be so nervous.” Ozan looks at me from the next seat. Does he want to hold my hand, or am I imagining the twitch of his fingers?

I don’t dare do anything like that in front of my sisters—especially not Laurel. There’s no need to make her so happy. She’s been more mature lately, but that won’t stop her from teasing me later.

Ozan being here for the conversation is proof of his importance. It’s his first family meeting.

“Is it about the shop?” Rowan gives me a scrutinizing look. It feels like she can see through me.

I grimace. “It is…”

“Are we reopening?” Maple’s face lights up.

“That would give me whiplash.” Rowan presses her lips into a tight line.

I expect my sisters to be annoyed at the idea—and at me for bringing it up. The smart thing would be to put it to bed. I should go back to college and find a new career path. As Ozan said, it’s never too late to try something new.

But this idea is the first thing that has lit me on fire in a long time. It’s only been a few hours since Ozan told me the plan. His clothes and hair are warm and dry, and he looks cozy in our kitchen.

This is different than the first time we reopened the shop. That was for spite. I didn’t feel the fire in my belly. I feel it now .

“Not exactly,” I say. “I want to…well, I want to start an entirely new business. Something unique.”

The room goes quiet.

“From a business perspective, I like that idea.” Rowan pushes her glasses up her nose. “Customers were comparing our business to mom’s. You were, as well. That made it hard to grow, and the competition made it difficult, too.” She spares Ozan a glance.

“He won’t be our competition anymore,” I say.

Maple tilts her head to the side. “What did you have in mind?”

“Be open-minded,” I say.

No one speaks. They’re all waiting for me, but I’m twisting with embarrassment. Since when have I been bashful?

“It’s not that crazy…” Ozan chuckles. “Just tell them, baby.”

Now, I have another reason to blush. I don’t dare look at Laurel.

“It’s… well, I want to open a bar.” My lips press into a tight line.

The silence continues. Their expressions are neutral as they wait for me to say more.

Aside from Laurel. Her eyes light up, and she bounces in her seat, clearly wanting to say something.

“Not an ordinary bar,” I say. “We don’t have any good bars here—not really—so I want it to be that. A place for people to hang out and have a good drink. I have experience working in bars… and I always wanted to try bartending…”

“We’ll have to get licenses,” Rowan says.

“I know.” I nod adamantly. “It won’t be a fast change. I don’t need it to be. It’s going to take a lot of renovations. ”

“What makes it so different from a typical bar?” Maple asks.

“I want to sell my potions and make magical drinks for people who want them.” I let out a slow, shaking breath. “We’ll still sell the usual alcohol, of course. Cocktails, beer, wine…”

“Selling potions will require another permit,” Rowan says. “That’s why this business model is rare.”

“I know,” I say, “but we already have it for the shop. It won’t be hard to get it transferred over.”

It was Ozan’s idea, but I’ve already enhanced it over the last few hours. I was thinking of the hot chocolate I made for us, which sealed the deal.

Sure, I can make the usual potions, but I can also make charmed drinks.

To my surprise, Rowan looks impressed. Her lips turn down, and she lifts her brows, nodding. “There’s nothing like that in Starbrook. Hell, in all of Maine…”

“I know,” I say. “Which means there may not be a market for it, but… I want to do it anyway.”

Rowan turns her attention to Ozan. “You would still be our competition.”

He shakes his head. “I’m done selling potions. I’ll direct them to you from now on.”

Rowan’s eyes narrow. “Why would you do that?”

“Because,” he says, “potions aren’t my passion. They’re Juniper’s.”

The attention turns to me, and I look down at my lap, fighting off a smile. I’ve been in relationships before. Some of them were good; others were a mess. No one made me feel so supported and so seen.

He and I aren’t together yet—I don’t think—and he’s already the best partner I’ve had .

“I, for one, love the idea.” Laurel finally speaks, and she’s gushing. “You’re right. It’s so hard to find a good place to drink here. Do you know how much I’m paying for a ride home from Waterville? Too much. And the house parties? I’m sick of them.”

I look up. “I’m glad you approve.”

Maple watches me intently—in a way she rarely does. She bites at the inside of her cheek.

“What about you?” I ask her. “Any thoughts?”

My heart pounds. I was expecting her to be the most supportive, but instead, she looks like she’s keeping a secret.

“Are we still invited to help?” Maple asks. “Because if you’re selling charmed drinks… I mean, adding charmed food into the mix…”

My eyes widen. “Seriously? You want to…?”

“It will mean more time and renovations, but I would love to be your chef,” she says. “Your head chef. If you want me, I’m yours.”

I’ve never heard her sound so assertive. The last time I heard her like this was when we worked in the kitchen together, and that didn’t go well, but this will be different.

“I have a better idea,” I say. “I want you to run it with me. We can co-own it. You can run the kitchen, and I’ll run the front.”

“Yes!” Maple claps her hands together. “A thousand times, yes.”

“If it’s too much responsibility, I understand. I don’t expect you to quit your job.”

“But I want to! Please, please, let me quit my job.”

I hold up my hands in surrender. “I won’t stop you.”

After all, I know something about leaving a job behind. Losing my job felt like heartbreak, but now… I owe Denise a favor. I’ll send her a holiday card .

“I can still run the books.” Rowan sighs. “If you’d like.”

“You don’t sound very enthusiastic,” I say. “I can hire someone else.”

“I am.” Rowan shrugs. “If this goes off like I’m hoping, I may be able to take on fewer clients to make ends meet. That will be nice.”

“Well!” Laurel crosses her arms. “What about me? Everyone has something to do but me!”

“I still want you to do your tarot readings,” I say. “Those were a hit in the shop. We can advertise tarot nights.”

“And…?” Laurel leans forward and wiggles her eyebrows. “What else can I do?”

My smile drops. “Fine. You can be a bartender.”

“Really?” She clasps her hands together.

“Really,” I say. “I’ll teach you the ropes.”

I have to learn how first, but that’s a problem for a later day.

“This is the best day ever!” Laurel squeals.

Usually, I would want her to temper herself, but…

For once, I think she’s right. This is the best.

It’s all thanks to Ozan. I don’t try to hide it when I slide my hand across the table and take his hand in mine.