Page 28 of Bewitched & Bewildered (Witches of Starbrook #1)
Chapter 28
Juniper
ONE MONTH LATER
Turning a shop into a bar is no easy task. Maple and I empty our savings into it, call in a few favors, use a touch of magic, and the place is coming together within a month. There’s still a way to go, but I can finally see the vision. My sisters and I stand outside as they put up the new sign.
The Moonlit Tavern.
I designed the font and the little moon myself. There’s no better way to make my mark on the bar.
Taking our mother’s old sign down is bittersweet, but our mother’s spirit still lives there. Her portrait hangs behind the bar for all to see, and as we watch everything come together… we know she’s smiling down at us. Finally, I can feel her.
We haven’t even opened yet, but the feeling I’ve been waiting for is finally here. I am settled.
Her spirit is around me more than when I ran the apothecary.
I’m ready to face life again. No, it’s more. For the first time in my adult life, I have something I need to succeed in. Gods, I missed that feeling.
“It’s perfect!” Maple gasps, clasping her hands together.
With misty eyes, I watch my sisters. “It’s everything I wanted.”
“I wish Aspen was here.” As happy as we are, Rowan is frowning.
Aspen replied to the group chat and allowed us to make the changes, but… it feels wrong that our middle sister isn’t here.
“She’ll be here for solstice,” I say. “She promised us.”
“This place is going to be so pretty for Yule!” Laurel bounces on the balls of her feet. “Oh, can we get a big Yule tree? Please?”
“Sure.” I chuckle. “We can do that.”
“Will we be ready to open in time?” Maple asks.
“We will,” I say. “It’s looking like we’re going to be ready soon .”
Yule is a few weeks away, and we have a lot of work to do… but I’m not alone. I have my sisters.
And I have Ozan.
TWO WEEKS LATER — OPENING NIGHT
Laurel was right about the Yule tree. It’s big—the biggest I’ve ever seen—and it looks perfect in our bar. The place is jam-packed with familiar faces. Not that I have time to look. Laurel and I are behind the bar, slinging drinks and food.
The little kitchen is as busy, but at least Maple isn’t alone. She has a team behind her. As the night flies by, I think my mother would be proud. We’ve taken her shop to levels she never would have imagined…
And we’re doing it together. Each of us has a place and a job.
Soft Christmas music plays in the background, quiet enough that the patrons can still converse but loud enough that they can feel the vibe. I lose track of the cranberry bliss drinks I’ve made. They’re not as strong as the one I shared with Ozan all those weeks ago. I would say they’re just right.
And he’s here, too.
It’s easy to spot Ozan as he weaves through the crowd, several inches taller than any other patron. He notices me, too. His dimples appear as a broad smile stretches on his handsome face.
Someone smarter than me would smile back and go on with their life. We’re too busy for me to give Ozan the attention I want to. I can’t waste time with my boyfriend on opening night.
But…
Gods, I can’t stay away from him. None of this would come together without him. He deserves some acknowledgment.
“I’ll be back,” I say to Laurel.
“What?” She looks at me with wide eyes, and I pay her no mind.
Laurel is a surprisingly good barkeep. She and I spent weeks studying, and by the time we’re done, she’s as good as I am. She may even be better. Potions aren’t her specialty, but she can charm a drink unlike anyone else.
“Excuse me.” I push my way through the crowd, desperate to reach Ozan .
I have so much to thank him for. This bar is my baby, and he’s never made me feel like it was anything less, but his idea started it all. I won’t forget it.
Before I can reach him, a hand on my shoulder stops me.
“This is what I was talking about!” Denise’s voice booms through the crowd, and when I turn to face her, there’s a bright smile on her face.
Pride swells in me. It’s embarrassing to let the praise of my old boss influence me, but… it does.
“Yeah?” I shake my head. “Let me guess. You knew this was coming?”
“Definitely not—but I know what happiness looks like. You’re happy.”
I glance at Ozan in the distance. “I really am.” My attention turns back to Denise. “I hope you’re ready for some competition.”
“Oh, I’ve been ready.” She squeezes my shoulder. “Just don’t forget about me, all right? We’re not competition. Not really.”
“What are we?”
She shrugs. “I’m your mentor. I’m surprised you didn’t pick up on that sooner.”
I blink. “Gods. I really didn’t.”
“Yeah, well… what do you think?”
“I think…” Thinking back to running the shop decides for me. It would have been easier with a mentor. I nod, and my smile grows. “I could use one of those. Does this mean I can call you up at all hours of the night?”
“Whenever. Whatever you need. I got you.”
“I’ll take you up on that.” And this time, I mean it.
If these last few months taught me a single thing, it’s that I can’t do this alone .
Every puzzle piece of my life clicks together. My eyes shift again, meeting Ozan’s in the crowded bar. “If you’ll excuse me…”
Denise steps away. “Of course. I’m sure you’re busy.”
“Oh, very.”
But my reason for ambling in the other direction has little to do with business. I need to see him. That urge grows, and his presence pulls at me like a string connecting our chests.
Ozan and I finally meet in the middle of the crowded room. The sparkling light from the Christmas tree reflects on his face and deep in his dark eyes.
“Look at this place.” He shakes his head. “I’m so proud of you. It looks beautiful.”
“It does, doesn’t it?”
He holds my face in his large hands, and his expression softens. “Your mom would be proud, too.”
For the first time in my life, I believe those words. More than that, I’m proud of myself. I know she has something to be proud of. I worked hard.
“I know.” I grab his jacket and pull him closer. “Thank you. Thank you for everything. You helped this come together, and I wouldn’t be here without you.”
I love it here—with him and in the bar. I’m happy. It’s the joy I want to bask in, hold on to, and pray to the gods not to let it fade. Maybe it will fade someday, but it doesn’t matter. I have it now.
Ozan is a part of it.
“You would have found a way,” he says.
I tug on his jacket again. “Shut up and take the compliment.”
Not only does he take the compliment, but he takes the hint. I pull, and he lowers his head, bowing close enough that I can bridge the gap between our mouths. I stand on my tiptoes and brush my lips against his.
I’ve never been the romantic type—the floating on cloud-nine when we kiss type. The type to search out mistletoe kisses. The type to get butterflies. He gives me all of those things.
When we kiss, I swear the room is spinning. Ozan is the one for me. He has to be.