Page 5 of Bewitched & Bewildered (Witches of Starbrook #1)

Chapter 5

Ozan

The rest of the day passes in a blur. I don’t get a break until an hour before closing, which gives me just enough time to tidy up for the day. Running an operation alone is different than being one piece of a giant puzzle.

A cocky, na?ve part of me expected this to be easier, but it’s not. Between bumping into familiar faces, answering their questions, and running around to meet the needs of my customers…

I’m exhausted at the end of the day. It’s a pleasant kind of exhaustion, one that comes from success. The shop being busy is a positive omen for the future. That doesn’t keep my feet and back from aching. I can’t wait to go to my little apartment, crack open a beer, and sleep.

Tomorrow, I will repeat it all.

The chimes on the door hit my ear just when I’m about to close shop for the night. It’s one hour before closing. I thought I could shut down early, but that’s not an option, is it? Witches need their supplies.

I force a tired smile as I lift my head to greet them. My expression relaxes when I see who it is. Antoni is an old friend from high school. He’s not a witch, but that’s fine—our goods can be helpful for everyone. There are even some humans who use our herbs for floorwash.

I have a feeling he isn’t here for the herbs, though. If I know Antoni at all—and I do—he’s here for gossip. I’ve never been good at that.

“I heard you were back.” He leans on the alchemist’s table, his large palms splaying on the wood. “Why didn’t I hear it from you, huh? Last I heard, we’re friends on the gram.”

“I deactivated mine—and you changed your number, didn’t you?”

There were too many pictures of Vanessa to delete, and I didn’t have the heart to go through them all. Disappearing from social media felt easier.

“Guilty,” he says. “That still doesn’t answer my question.”

“Sorry.” I let out a lighthearted laugh. “I didn’t tell anyone I was coming, but… it’s good to see you, man.”

“Right back at you.” He looks around, scanning the shelves of books and herbs. “Well, shit. The old pharmacy has never looked better. Does this mean you’re back for good?”

“I guess it does…”

He squints. “Is your wife here with you?”

I tense. “No. We’re…” I hate having to explain this. It’s why I left Boston. There are fewer people to be attached to us as a couple. But people in small towns are nosy.

“Got it,” he says. “Say no more.”

“Thanks.”

Antoni will spread the word around town for me. It’s a blessing, in a way. At least he’s not expecting me to put it into words. I’m not in denial—not anymore—but it still isn’t something I enjoy talking about.

“Went through one of those myself.” He wiggles his fingers, displaying his lack of a ring. “Sometimes it doesn’t work out, yeah?”

“Yeah…” And sometimes they don’t work out because the love of your life leaves you for your best friend. I know better than to tell Antoni about that. “I didn’t even know you were married.”

“It was a private affair.”

“You? Private? I can’t imagine that.”

“Nah, but the guy I was with… well, enough about that,” Antoni says. “This is about you. I’m proud of you. Starbrook needs this.”

“Not everyone has been as happy.”

There was only one person displeased by the shop. Juniper. I can’t wrap my head around her reasons for being upset. Sure, her family ran the last apothecary, but mine isn’t a slight against her.

Not that it matters. Staying on her good side is impossible, and I never cared to do it in the past.

“Starbrook has been struggling to get supplies,” he says. “And not just that—potions, divination, everything. It’s more than the witches who are suffering. The werewolves haven’t had anything to help them with their transformations.”

“That’s true.” I let out a long sigh. “You don’t realize how helpful an apothecary is until it’s gone.”

“Exactly. It’s bittersweet, with Mrs. Hawthorne passing and all?—”

“Wait.” My heart stops. “Mrs. Hawthorne? What?”

I know the shop is closed—that’s all my parents told me— but I assumed she retired. Both of my parents are retired. It’s the natural progression of life.

I suppose death is, too.

Juniper’s bitterness makes sense now. I’m an asshole.

“It was a tragedy,” he says. “I heard some demons did it, but I don’t know.”

“Demons?” My brow furrows.

“Yeah, but I guess no one knows for sure. The Hawthorne women are keeping it hush.”

“It’s none of our business,” I say firmly.

Antoni may disagree.

He goes silent for a moment and shrugs. “Yeah. I guess you’re right.”

“How long ago did she pass?”

“A year.”

It lines up with the timing of the shop closing, too. I look around. A few hours ago, I couldn’t be prouder. The feeling is replaced with a twist of guilt and regret. If I knew… well, I would have offered to help them with their shop instead of becoming a competitor.

“I shouldn’t be doing this,” I mutter.

“What?” Antoni’s eyes widen. “Don’t say that!”

“We already have an apothecary.”

“We don’t, and we’re struggling. For all we know, they’re going to close up forever. You’re doing important work here. I’m hoping to get a pain reliever potion for Ma. She’s recovering from hip surgery.”

Even knowing I’m helping his mother with her pain can’t make me feel better. Nothing can.

I need to talk to Juniper. That’s the only way to make this right.