Page 32

Leah

“All I’m saying is, you need to get to know this woman before you decide to move in with her!”

I folded up another shirt and wedged it into the suitcase on the bed, shooting my grandfather a pointed stare. “I mean, you’ve been on one date and you haven’t even met her grandkids yet.”

My grandfather folded his arms, huffing under his shaggy mustache as he glared out the window. “You don’t get it. I’m in love, Leah—and I’m old. I don’t have much time left.”

I rolled my eyes, closing the suitcase with a snap and a zip. “Does she even have a name, aside from ‘woman-I-met-at-the-grocery-store’?”

“Of course she does,” my grandfather proclaimed, clutching his hands to his chest like a love-sick fool. “Angela. She stole my heart when she stole the last box of pop-tarts from my shopping cart.”

I groaned, hauled the suitcase off the bed, and straightened up with a sigh, glancing around the neat little bedroom he’d been living in for a week.

When my grandfather decided to stick around for a little while after his unplanned trip to New York, Jordan and the rest of the Leyore women had offered to put him up in a fancy hotel.

But my grandfather had chosen this dinky little B&B instead—and I’d taken up residence in the second room considering my mournful lack of houseboat.

Now, my grandfather was preparing to head back to San Francisco. His flight left in a few hours, and Amara and Dylan were on their way over to drive him to the airport.

He’d be going back to San Francisco alone.

“You know,” I mumbled, fiddling with the zippers on the suitcase, “I could come with you—I could move back home.”

“Why on earth would you want to do a thing like that?” My grandfather shook his head, scratching absently at his beard. “You’ve done quite well for yourself here, kiddo. You don’t need to throw it all away for the sake of your old man.”

“But–”

“No buts.” He lifted a wizened finger and waggled it at me. “You may not have a boat any more but you’ve got plenty of people who care for you here. What about Maxine? I’m sure she’d be happy to have you for a housemate.”

I cringed inwardly. When filling my grandfather in on my life as of late, I had neglected to mention that my boat had been burned down—he thought I’d sold it—and I’d also left out the part about Maxine and me being… more than friends.

“I just… worry, you know?” I tugged at the cords of my hoodie, shuffling on my feet. “You’ve taken care of me for all these years and I feel like I’m abandoning you.”

My grandfather turned, a flicker of mild amusement in his gaze. “Leah, that’s ridiculous. I’ll be fine! I’m not exactly helpless, you know.”

I dropped my eyes to my shoes. He would be perfectly fine without me. I knew that. Of course, I knew . But that nagging sense of responsibility remained.

My grandfather exhaled, tucking his hands into his worn coat pockets. “Leah, you need to focus on yourself for once.” He gestured vaguely around the room, eyes drifting to the city line beyond the window pane. “You’ve got a lot going on. A whole future to build. Don’t you worry about me.”

My heart clenched. He was right—I had Maxine now, and the Leyore coven, and all the chaos that came with them.

I’d uprooted my life, tethered myself to a love I never would have imagined, and that meant letting go of old obligations and taking on new ones.

But letting him travel back alone still made my stomach twist.

“I’m still gonna worry,” I said softly, a wry smile ghosting my lips.

He chuckled, stepping forward to plant a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Worry if you must, but not too much. I’m older, yes, but I’m not senile.” His eyes crinkled. “Besides, I’ve got a darling waiting for me back home now.”

“Right.” I snorted, dropping my head back with a sigh. “Angela. I hope you know, I want to meet her in person sometime. Need to give my blessings and all.”

“Oh, but of course.” My grandfather grinned, hiking up the suitcase handle as we headed for the door. “You’ll have to pay us a visit sometime. And bring Maxine! I’ve missed that girl.”

I winced. “Actually, about Maxine. I, uh, I’ve been meaning to tell you…”

I trailed off, struggling to find the words. My grandfather paused at the threshold, suitcase bumping his bad knee. He lifted a bushy, grey brow. “Yes?”

“I, um…” I rubbed at the nape of my neck, chewing on my lip. “We’re kind of… more than friends now.”

That was one way to put it. Although what we were exactly, I had no idea. Maxine had essentially let me know that if I wanted to pursue a relationship, she was game. But the ball was entirely in my court.

My grandfather frowned slightly, forehead wrinkling in mild confusion. “More than friends?”

My cheeks flushed bright red. A week had passed since I’d seen Maxine and I still didn’t have an answer for her, torn between my new life and my duties to my grandfather. But now was the time to make a decision.

My pulse hammered. Might as well just spit it out. “We’re kinda… together,” I said, swallowing my nerves. “As in, we’re dating. Or we will be, when I tell her that I want to. She’s my—well, we haven’t really labeled it yet, but… we’re like a couple.”

A momentary silence, my grandfather’s gaze scanning my tomato-red face. For a fraction of a second I panicked—was he upset, or confused, or just disappointed? But then his lips curved, and his eyes crinkled in genuine delight.

“Oh,” he exclaimed, a soft laugh bubbling out. “Well, I’ll be. Took you two long enough.”

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest. “You’re… okay with it?”

He huffed, waving off my concern. “Of course I’m okay with it, kid. I’ve been watching you two dance around each other since you were practically in pigtails. If anything, I’m relieved you finally figured yourselves out.”

“You–I–” I stuttered through the words, heart skittering in my chest. “ What? ”

My grandfather shrugged with a smile, eyes twinkling, like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. “We should get going. I’m sure you’re eager to tell her how you feel.”

I stared at him a moment longer and then exhaled a shaky breath. I stepped forward to help him with his suitcase, cracking a sheepish smile that I hope conveyed every ounce of love I had for the old man. “Thanks, Grandpa.”

A few hours and a tearful goodbye later, I shifted uncomfortably on the landing outside Maxine’s upscale apartment, cradling my duffel bag under one arm. The door stood ajar, warm light spilling into the quiet corridor. She must have left it unlatched, knowing I was on my way.

My heart gave a little leap at the thought of entering her space so freely.

Quietly, I slipped inside, greeted by the soft glow of lamplight and plush furnishings. The place smelled faintly of sandalwood and something sweet. I glanced down at my boots, wet and grimy from traipsing through puddles, and winced. Not exactly Leah-friendly carpets in here.

“Max?” I called softly, leaning my bag against the wall. I tiptoed forward, trying not to leave muddy boot prints on the fluffy rug that sprawled across the floor. “White carpets, really?”

“In here,” came her voice from somewhere deeper in the apartment, melodic and tinged with tense anticipation.

I picked my way around the rug edges—trying very hard not to mar the soft piles with my boots—and followed the sound of her voice, turning into the living area.

And there she was, perched on the edge of a chaise lounge like a scene straight out of a home decor magazine—except for the anxious way she wrung her hands. The moment she saw me, her face broke into a radiant smile.

Then her eyes flicked to my boots. “Ew.”

“Good to see you too,” I muttered, standing awkwardly among her many— many —belongings.

I’d practiced my oh-so-romantic ‘I want to give this thing between us a try’ speech on the way over after I’d given her a call, but now that I was standing right in front of her, I was at a loss for words.

Maxine, however, was too busy inspecting her carpets to notice my unease. “I suppose I could vacuum tomorrow…” She glanced back at me, smile lighting up all over again. “Anyway, I’m glad you’re here!”

I swallowed, a swirl of emotions tightening my chest. We’d been dancing around this new reality for a week. After all the chaos, it was like meeting her again—for the first time. I was here, on the threshold of a new life, my duffel bag a dead giveaway that I wanted to stay.

I wanted to stay forever.

So I sucked in a breath and forced myself to meet her gaze. “I… I’ve decided,” I murmured, heart thudding against my sternum. “I’m going to stay in New York.”

Maxine stilled, then she rose from the chaise. Then she froze, like she wasn’t quite sure what to do from there. I sucked in a breath.

“I want… I want to be where you are.” My cheeks heated, and I forced myself to keep going. “I want us to finally… be together, the way we always wanted to be. Picking up where we left off. If—if you still want that.”

For a beat, the world slowed on its axis. Then Maxine’s eyes lit up, brighter than the skyline outside her windows.

“You have no idea how long I’ve hoped you’d say that.” She whispered the words and I stepped closer when she reached for me. “Yes, I want that—of course I want that! More than anything.”

A rush of warmth enveloped me, coupled with her arms sliding around my waist. Maxine leaned in, pressing her lips to mine in a slow, reverent kiss that made my knees weak and wobbly. When we broke apart, she rested her forehead against mine, her voice trembling with subdued excitement.

“Stay with me,” she said, brushing a lock of hair behind my ear. “Here—wherever, as long as we’re together.”

Laughter trickled from my lips and I closed my eyes. “I don’t think your carpets can handle me, but… yeah. I’d like that.”

I’ll stay forever.