Page 67 of How to Flirt with a Witch

“Crap,” I whisper.

She’s going to notice this isn’t my room.

I could reject her call, but I desperately need the comfort of talking to my best friend right now.

I frantically scan for a backdrop. The exposed brick is nothing like the soulless white paint in the basement suite, the bedding is green, and not even the inside of the closet or the bathroom would pass. It’s all too damn cute and cozy.

Resigned, I prop my phone against the plush, silky pillows. I’ll have to make something up to hide the truth.

Putting on a smile, I answer. “Happy New Year, bestie!”

Hazel’s hair is a mess and she’s in an oversized t-shirt. She probably just woke up.

“Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu!” She waves mochi at me, a sticky rice cake we gorge on at her house every January. The familiar blue shade of her bedroom wall is at her back. A pang of homesickness hits me—it’sthe first time I’m not there to eat mochi and celebrate the New Year with her.

She takes a bite and says through a mouthful, “I’m eating twice as much on your behalf.”

“Aww, thanks.”

Her brow furrows. “Where are you?”

“It’s…” Though I want to spill everything that’s happened, Fiona’s warning to tell no one has a chokehold on me. Panicked, I spew the first plausible story that comes to mind. “A vacation rental. There was a leak and the basement flooded, so I’m here until they fix it.”

Hazel groans. “What a way to kick off the year. Is your stuff okay?”

“Everything important.” I hold up Ethel. She squirms and bites my fingers.

“Aww, hi, sweetie,” Hazel coos. “Did you get ripped away from your home?”

Ethel meows in protest, and I put her down.

“Things good with Sean?” If we linger on this topic, my feeble lie will crumble.

Hazel gives a mushy, bashful smile. “Yeah. We’re both at home this week, so we haven’t seen much of each other, but we’re back on campus tomorrow.”

I grab Ethel’s feather toy from the foot of my bed for something to do with my hands, dragging it around so she chases it. “I can’t believe classes are already starting. I still haven’t recovered from finals.”

“I know. But I decided I’m going to apply for the co-op program this term,” she says, the words gushing out, “which means I’ll get a summer job at an actual software company!”

I grin. “That’s amazing! No more cinnamon bun baking.”

Hazel bounces in her desk chair. “I want to get on board with a renewable energy company.”

A knock rings out. “Katie?”

I freeze. Cold panic shoots through me at the sound of Natalie’s voice. So much for concealing the truth.

Hazel’s mouth falls open, and her voice rises an octave. “Oh—my—God. Are you at a girl’s place? You big liar!”

“I’m—it’s not like—”

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!” She jumps to her feet and paces like this is all too exciting for her to stay still.

I consider telling Natalie to come back later, but I’m doomed to answer Hazel’s questions either way, so I bring my phone with me to the door.

She’s standing there with that damn black t-shirt clinging to her in all the right places, her hands in the pockets of her tight jeans, her hair cascading over her left shoulder… and that smoldering gaze.

My heart launches into a frenzy, and I swallow hard. “Hey, I’m just video chatting with my friend. Um, this is Hazel. Hazel, Natalie.”