Page 7 of How to Flirt with a Witch

The way she purrs the word ‘attracted’ makes my heart miss a beat.

I try to find words to explain the pull I felt toward Lucy. She’s adorable, but a lot of adorable kittens were up for adoption. Something drew me to her like a paperclip to a magnet. “I don’t know. I just liked her.”

Doctor Zacharias’s eyes remain as enigmatic as ever, so I can’t tell if this answer is sufficient. Or why it matters. This whole line of questions is weird.

She scans my outfit, a cute crease appearing between her eyebrows. “Take off your coat and show me the boils.”

Embarrassment and dread churn inside me. Why does the second half of that sentence have to be a thing?

With a sigh of resignation, I shed my winter garb, letting the cool air hit my irritated skin. I’m clammy because it’s nowhere near cold enough to wear all these layers.

I can feel Doctor Zacharias’s gaze like a flame as it roves over my body—all five-foot-two of me, small and defeated. Our eyes meet, and something flickers in hers. Disgust? Pity? I look away, not wanting to know.

She clears her throat and bends closer to study my arms. She doesn’t touch me, just looks with the same focus as when she examined Lucy.

The closeness sends a pleasant ripple through me. I’m not prepared to be hit with her scent—warm, calming, like a mug of herbal tea in the winter. I want to lean in and inhale deeper. But I don’t because that would be weird.

She straightens up, taking a step back. “Those will go away by tomorrow. They aren’t contagious—just a reaction. Avoid showering or putting any lotions on for the next twenty-four hours so you don’t agitate them.”

Relief washes over me so intensely that I slump back in the chair. I didn’t realize how much I was bracing for the worst until now, as thetension drains from me and leaves me tingly. I can handle not showering or moisturizing for a day. It’s not like I’m going anywhere like this.

She scans the clipboard. “Are you okay other than that? No other health problems came up?”

Other than the absolute chaos of the last four days? Other than all the stuff that made me question reality? “All good.”

“Your breathing feels normal?” Her concerned tone makes me melt a little.

I nod. “Is that a symptom?”

“Sometimes.” She scribbles something down. “Well, Miss Alexander, I was called in because my specialty is rare infectious diseases. I’m sorry to say your cat has carried a disease into your home.”

“Oh.” A strange feeling settles in my gut—not fear about being told it’s a disease, but some kind of… disappointment. The straightforward diagnosis isn’t enough to explain everything that’s happened.

She wraps her slender fingers around the kennel’s handle. “I’ll take the cat to the lab for testing—”

“Take her?” I straighten up as if zapped, my voice rising as panic grips my throat. “Is she going to be okay?”

She raises one of those perfect, arched eyebrows. “You want her back? After the way she’s been… behaving?”

I stand, ready to seize the kennel. “Yes! She’s my kitten!”

The vet’s brow pinches in bewilderment. “But she’s…”

Something in my expression makes her trail off.

Indignation rushes through me, sharpening my next words. “People would never abandon a loved one because they’re sick, so why would I do that to my pet? This lack of empathy is everything that’s wrong with the world!”

Her mouth opens a little as if she’s surprised by my outburst. But as heat rises in my cheeks, she softens and drops her gaze. “You’re right. I—I’m sure I’ll be able to cure her, Miss Alexander. I’ll have the frontdesk call you when she’s ready for pickup. I promise she’ll be in good hands.”

I nod, a little embarrassed by the tone I took with her but grateful for her response.

An ache forms in my chest as she steps back with the kennel. As chaotic as Lucy was, she was still my furry companion, and now I’m returning to an empty house.

“What’s the disease called?” I ask, my mouth dry. I’ll feel better if I can look it up when I get home.

“I’m afraid I can’t disclose that.”

My heart sinks. What kind of doctor withholds critical information from a patient? I narrow my eyes and take another approach. “What diseases do you specialize in?”