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ada

I t’s hard to put into words how much my friendship with Rue means to me. My parents died when I was just a little kid, and I was then raised by my incredible grandmother until she, too, passed when I was eighteen. I was alone again, until I met Rue.

She and her mother welcomed me, and always included me in family celebrations. The holidays had always been a depressing time of year for me until I started celebrating the Sabbats with Rue’s coven. I still remember my first Yule, with the towering evergreen tree decorated with ornaments we handcrafted from dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks. I was made to feel like I was a part of the family, and it hasn’t changed one bit. Whispering Springs became my new home, and I finally had the family I always craved.

It’s almost comical how different my best friend and I are. Rue is fiery and outgoing, whereas I’m more of an introverted homebody. We met in Boston, where we both attended the same college and eventually became roommates. After graduation, she moved back to her hometown of Whispering Springs, Oregon, and I stayed in the city to live the life of a struggling artist.

It took her years to convince me to move here, but her persistence worked. Being hired as the new art teacher at the elementary school in town was the cherry on top of the sundae. It’s time to plant roots and discover the sense of community that had been missing from my increasingly lonely life.

I spot Rue leaning against the brick exterior of Blissful Bites, scrolling through her phone. As if she can sense me, her head pops up and she walks over. A form fitting black jumpsuit hugs her curves, and one of her signature boho inspired kimonos flows in the wind. A perfect head of black curls fall around her shoulders.

I’m envious of how effortlessly cool she is. Rue’s the real reason I learned to love my body. It’s hard to speak negatively about yourself when you’re friends with one of the most body positive women on the planet. She and I are similar in size, and she challenged me to try on her clothes in college to show me my body was worthy of being seen.

“What took you so long? I need coffee in my system ASAP. You know I get mean when I don't have my bean juice,” Rue playfully whines.

Crossing the street, she and I link arms and enter the bakery. My senses are immediately overwhelmed with delicious scents. The rich aroma of coffee and sweet pastries never fails to put me in a good mood. I love small bakeries like this, where it’s clear that it’s a vital part of the town. I take in the familiar cream colored walls, many of which are covered in photos of customers at different community celebrations, or the Durzum family smiling while working side by side. To my left are a few white metal tables and chairs, all filled to the brim with people happily chatting. A large window at the front of the shop reveals the hustle and bustle of Main Street.

“Look who's behind the counter…” Rue whispers, wiggling her eyebrows at me. My heart quickens as I spot Ulgan. I swear, I never get tired of looking at him. Today, his powerful, hulking body is hidden under a plain blue t-shirt with a Blissful Bites apron on top. I could happily stare at his yummy muscular tattooed arms all day long.

“Good morning, ladies,” he says, greeting us with his deliciously deep voice. Ulgan’s warm chocolate eyes make my heart flip when they land on me before looking at Rue.

“Morning, Ulgan. We’re here for the goods,” Rue says.

He glances in my direction, giving me a warm smile which holds a touch of shyness. Ulgan nervously tucks a piece of his gorgeous straight black hair behind his ear that’s fallen out of the bun he usually wears.

“Goods? Is that what we’re calling your breakfast order now?" Ulgan replies with a chuckle. He hits me with that smile of his again and leans closer to me from across the counter. “Ada, why do you hang around this pain in the ass?”

Laughing, I reply, “Well, she’s not always a pain in the ass. There are rare moments when she acts like a normal person and not a feral animal.”

“Hey! I'm standing right here!” Rue places her hands on her hips in mock surprise at what we’re saying.

Ulgan hands Rue her large black coffee and everything bagel. She greedily sips her coffee and lets out a loud groan. “My inner bitch has been satisfied.”

“Well, I'm happy to hear it. Wouldn’t want to anger her.” Ulgan and I laugh. He turns to me and hands me my iced coffee and pumpkin muffin. His bigger hand brushes mine briefly before curling his fingers around my hand to hold it in place. His hand radiates delicious warmth. “What about you, Ada? What satisfies you?” Ulgan asks, the deep growly voice of his sending a shiver down my spine. His thumb gently traces circles across my palm. The light touch makes my core ache.

There is somewhere else, specifically between my legs, that I wouldn’t mind that thumb to circle.

“Oh, um. Well.” I'm completely tongue tied. Oh, I am not as smooth as I thought I’d be. Ulgan gives me a sensual smile.

Our eyes meet, and I swear the heat I see in those eyes reflects my own. My gaze briefly wanders to his lips, which look so damn soft and yummy. I’ve fantasized about them for months now. I wonder if those tusks of his are sensitive?

“Ada…” he says, his voice dropping an octave. Our little bubble is interrupted by a customer behind me clearing their throat, signaling that we've been standing here looking at each other for an embarrassingly long amount of time.

Ulgan pulls his hand back, reaching up to rub the back of his neck, his green cheeks darkening.

“I guess I should be going. Bye, Ulgan.” I give him a shy smile and turn to leave. Rue must’ve left my side at some point, because she’s now standing by the door.

“Um, Ada!” Uglan calls from behind me. I face him, and my heart skips a beat like it does every single time he says my name. “Same time tomorrow?” he asks, his arms crossing and uncrossing as if he’s trying to figure out what to do with his hands.

Do I make him this nervous? The thought gives me a thrill.

“It's a date,” I playfully reply.

Turning to face Rue, I scrunch my eyes closed. Did I really just say that? Please, universe, don’t let Rue have heard. I finally reach her by the door, which she pushes open. Of course, not before Rue says, “It's a date,” in a deep, sultry, mocking tone with an added shoulder shimmy.

“Oh, shut up,” I reply and head outside. Rue and I make our way down Main Street, sipping our coffees. My iced latte tastes decadent with the rich mocha syrup.

Turning to Rue, I decide to tease my sweet friend. “Oh no, Rue, I forgot to ask for cinnamon in my coffee. I guess there won't be any abundance for me today.” I chuckle.

Rue remains silent by my side, and I know exactly what it means. “You just used magic to put cinnamon in my coffee, didn't you?”

The smirk on her face and resounding silence speaks volumes.

* * *

Outside of Whispering Springs Elementary, it’s time for us to go our separate ways. “Swing by my house after work?” I ask Rue.

“Will there be food? You know I don’t go anywhere if there isn’t food,” she replies. I laugh. No one wants to see Rue when she hasn’t eaten.

“Yes, the evening meal will be served promptly at six-thirty. Make sure you wear your finest attire to this culinary extravaganza,” I reply in my awful English accent.

“Well, I would hate to disappoint the lady of the house,” Rue plays along, giving me her best English accent that comes across as more Australian than English. “I shall be there, and as a token of my appreciation, I shall spare no expense and bring the finest bottle of Diet Coke that money can buy.”

“My good lady, how truly generous of you! I must now take my leave of you to go shape the minds of this country’s youth.” I give her a deep curtsy.

“Fare thee well!” Rue calls as she continues down the street to open The Enchantress, and I enter the school, ready for a great day.