Page 12 of Magic & Matchmaking (Moonflower Witches)

Chapter Eleven

EMMA

I stood outside Steeped in Love and touched my wand to the forest-green door with its golden handle. I was practicing a new spell Layla had come up with that would automatically seal the entire shop so no one could enter without my wand and the words to the un-sealing spell.

After I’d used Layla’s tea concoction last night at the matchmaking event, she’d seemed so much more confident today. I wanted to keep encouraging that confidence. She was eager and smart—a hard worker. Her aunt underestimated her.

“Emma!”

I whirled around to see Layla walking toward me on the dim street. Floating lanterns filled with glowing yellow light lit the streets at nighttime. As the sun sank over the horizon, the lights glowed brighter, illuminating Layla’s black and warm brown skin. She waved as she approached.

“What are you doing here?” I asked. “I thought you went home.”

I looked toward Thistlegrove Forest in the distance. The town of Thistlegrove bordered the tree line. Most of the residents lived in cottages in the forest, but a few chose to reside in small apartments over their businesses .

Layla twisted her hands together. “Well.” She looked down at her feet, and I wondered what she was so anxious about. “I was thinking you and I could go get a drink at The Brewhouse.”

She said the words in a rush, so quickly I almost couldn’t understand them.

I blinked, taking in her proposition. Father was still at Arcane Creatures Emporium.

He was hosting open play tonight for any residents who wanted to come and meet the animals.

I looked across the street as he bustled around the shop, arms full of the invisible cats.

He didn’t need me for anything. Meanwhile, poor Layla shifted from foot to foot, looking so anxious I couldn’t help but say yes.

Her face brightened after I gave my answer. “Really?”

“Why not?” I shrugged. “I just finished the sealing spell you created. Brilliant, by the way. Do you want to go now?”

“That sounds perfect.” She offered me her arm, and I linked mine through it as we walked on the dirt road that wove through the town.

Businesses dotted both sides of the road sporadically and grassy fields spread out around all the buildings.

Flower pots sat outside many of the businesses, beautiful shades of pink, purple, and red geraniums sprouting from them.

“Do you want to take the riverwalk?” I asked.

Layla nodded as we veered between two of the buildings toward a dirt road that ran along the river.

The river bubbled, flowing over rocks in a gentle motion.

From here I could see fish darting through the clear water.

The walkway curved up ahead, giving a glorious view of the waterfall that fed into it.

Big clusters of rock jutted upward on either side of the waterfall.

It was a lovely walk, though the river itself could be dangerous, too rough for swimming.

The road curved away from the river and ran alongside Thistlegrove Forest. Tall, thick trunks shot into the air, branches full of dark and light green leaves. We kept walking along the road until we came to the back entrance of The Brewhouse, a wooden structure with a forest-green roof.

Music floated through the air, and I stiffened right outside the door. Not just any music. Riven’s music. He must have been playing tonight. Maybe a favor to the owner, Draven, who was his good friend .

“What’s wrong?” Layla stood at the door, holding it open. “Are you not feeling well?”

I cleared my throat and strode forward. “No, don’t be silly. I’m feeling fine.”

Just trying to figure out how to navigate my fake relationship after that kiss last night. A kiss that had rocked me to my core. I’d spent all day thinking about it, reliving it over and over. I was torn between wanting to do it again and wanting to run as far from Riven as I could.

I’d seen him briefly today. He’d come in, given me a chaste kiss on the cheek, and then said he had plans for the day so he wouldn’t be around. Now I knew what those plans were. He was probably resting and preparing for his show.

The smells of ale and honey butter filled the air as we entered and walked down a short hallway until we emerged into the main room of the tavern. Booths filled one side, tables populating the middle, and a long bar top spread across the other wall with bar stools tucked underneath.

Draven Darkstone stood behind the counter, serving up frosted mugs of ale while Riven walked through the tavern, strumming his lute and singing one of his newer songs, a tale about a witch who was sent by a king to kill a monster terrorizing the king’s kingdom.

Layla was about to sit at a table in the front, but I grabbed her arm. “Let’s sit over there.” I pointed at a booth tucked into the corner. We made our way toward it, settling in.

The strap of Riven’s lute looped around his shoulder and across his chest, his chest that I had my hands on just last night.

He strummed the instrument effortlessly, walking from table to table as patrons clapped, cheered, and interacted when he came near.

His thick black hair gleamed, not a single strand out of place, and every time he smiled, his dimples appeared.

“Wow, he’s really talented.”

“Hm?” I said. I’d forgotten anyone else was here for a moment, so lost in Riven and his music.

“Are you okay?” Layla bit her lip. “You seem off tonight.” She looked at Riven. “Is there something wrong with you and Riven?”

“No,” I said quickly. The last thing I needed were rumors spreading that we’d broken up .

A young woman walked up to us, hair dark and short. She folded her hands in front of the apron she wore over her green dress. “What can I get for you two?”

I wasn’t sure I wanted to drink ale. I’d tasted it a few times, but it was so sour and bitter.

“How about apple ale?” Layla shot me a questioning look. “It’s a new sweeter drink Draven has been tinkering with. I think you might like it...” Her words trailed off, her voice growing quiet toward the end like she wasn’t sure she should’ve suggested it.

“And some bread and butter?” I added.

The barmaid nodded and hurried away to another table of witches waving to get her attention.

“I hope you don’t mind that I ordered for you.” Layla looked down at the table. “It just seemed like you didn’t know what to get for yourself.”

“I guess I don’t get out very much,” I admitted. “Between running my father’s business and caring for him, I’m not very social.” I tucked a curl behind my ear.

“Mr. Thorne seems to be doing good on his own,” Layla offered.

Riven swiveled around, starting up a more lively tune that had everyone tapping their feet and clapping along as his voice rang out.

“Yes, I agree,” I said absently, stomach clenching tight.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Layla asked, gaze bouncing between me and Riven. “I don’t want to pry, but you’ve been distracted since we got here, and every time you look at Riven, you’re frowning.”

At that, all my feelings bubbled up at once.

“Riven and I are in a fake relationship,” I burst out.

“It was Morty’s idea, a way to get the tea shop to accept me.

Everything has been going well, but then last night after everyone left he kissed me, and now I’m having all these confusing feelings that I cannot be having because Riven isn’t really my boyfriend, and he’s going to be leaving again soon, so it wouldn’t work anyway.

Not that I’m assuming he would even want to be in a relationship with me. Not when we’re friends.”

Layla stared at me with wide eyes.

I groaned and sunk my head into my arms. “That was a lot. I’m sorry. ”

“No.” Layla put her hand on my arm, and I lifted my head. “Do you have real feelings for him?”

Riven and I had been friends for as long as I could remember, and I’d never thought about him as anything other than that until we’d gone away to the Coven Institute. The more time we’d spent together, the more I began to see him in a different light. The more I began to see a future with him.

“We almost kissed once,” I admitted. “A decade ago while we attended the institute.”

“What happened?” Layla leaned forward.

Two tankards of golden ale floated down on our table, followed by a loaf of dark bread and smooth honey butter. I grabbed a chunk, dunking it in the smooth butter and popping it in my mouth.

“I liked him,” I said miserably. It wasn’t something I’d ever admitted out loud.

That I’d barely even admitted to myself.

It would be like cutting open a wound that I’d stitched closed, and I couldn’t bear the thought of it.

“I think he might have liked me, too, but I don’t know because we never talked about it.

We were just about to kiss, then a carrier pigeon had burst in through the door, a letter clutched in its little talons.

My father had suffered a heart attack. I left immediately to come home. ”

When I’d arrived home, I’d been shocked to see how much my father had fallen apart. The cottage was a mess, all his food moldy and stale. His shop was even worse, on the verge of needing to be permanently closed. That had all been happening before his heart attack. He wasn’t doing well without me.

I knew that I couldn’t leave him again. He wouldn’t survive it.

“So you left the institute and Riven started his career as a bard.” Layla took a sip from tankard. “And you two never talked about that night?”

I shook my head. “I honestly started to think maybe I imagined it. Maybe I imagined him leaning in like he wanted to kiss me. But now we have kissed, and it’s brought back all those feelings that I suppressed for so long.”

Because if I let myself admit I wanted something more than friendship with Riven, what would that mean for my life here with my father?

“So do something about it,” Layla said .

Riven was back at the front of the room, his fingers picking their way over the strings in an intricate rhythm.

“What can I do?” I asked. “Even if I do have feelings for Riven, I can’t act on them. It would never work between us. Not with his career and my life.”

“Maybe he would give it all up for you?” She grabbed a chunk of bread and popped it in her mouth.

I stared at him as he closed his eyes, slowing the beat down as his voice rang out, soulful and passionate.

“No,” I said. “He loves what he does. This is what he was meant to do. I could never ask him to give it up, even if he claimed he wanted to. It would only lead to resentment.”

Layla bit her lip, and I took a drink of the apple ale. It sparkled in my mouth, short, sweet bursts of apple and sugar mingling with the ale.

“This is delicious.” I took another drink. “And thank you. For listening.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t help more,” Layla said.

“I don’t think I was looking for a solution.” I grabbed a piece of bread and took a bite. “I think I just needed to talk about it.”

Layla blew out a breath. “I know what you mean. Relationships are complicated.”

I wondered if she was referring to her date the previous night. “How did last night go?” I hedged.

Her face broke into a shy smile. “It was nice.”

Well, that wasn’t much information. If Herman were here, he’d be peppering her with questions. I thought about the conversation I’d overheard between her and Althea, how Althea had talked nonstop, not letting Layla get a single word in.

If I was going to run this tea shop, host these matchmaking events, then that meant I was responsible for those who met potential matches. I was definitely responsible for Layla since she worked for me.

Layla traced a circle of condensation on the table, and I waited to see if she’d say anything else. A broom swept past us on the floor, pushing crumbs into a dustpan. “Althea was nice,” Layla offered.

“That’s good,” I said. “Did you get to tell her much about yourself?”

Layla’s finger stopped in its motion, and her brows furrowed. “Well, I didn’t do a lot of talking. She did ask some questions.” She tilted her head. “She also talked... a lot. But her stories were so fascinating. I could’ve listened to them all night.”

My stomach sank, my suspicions confirmed. “You know, you didn’t talk to anyone else. There were a lot of lovely witches there.” I took a bite of bread. “Are you looking for a serious courtship?”

“Yes,” Layla said, her eyes going dreamy. “I want to get married, have a family, a good job. I know I’m young and I didn’t attend the institute, but I-I think I have a lot of good qualities.” Her voice grew so quiet, I almost didn’t hear that last part.

“You do,” I said firmly.

Her face fell. “I wish Aunt Morty saw that.”

My own heart squeezed in sympathy. “She does.”

It was clear that Layla needed a partner who’d instill confidence in her. If she really wanted a relationship, then she deserved someone who would, at the very least, let her talk and share her ideas, not walk all over her.

“Maybe get out there a bit,” I suggested. “Althea is just one witch. There are so many others you could talk to, court, get to know.”

She swallowed, and I could tell my words made her uncomfortable.

“Only if you want to,” I said quickly.

“I do need to get out of my comfort zone.” She chewed at her lip for a moment, then gave a firm nod. “You know, we could do it together.”

“Do what together?” My eyes shifted back and forth.

“Get out of our comfort zones.” She tipped her head toward Riven, who was now standing on the bar top, feet tapping as the tavern cheered. “You can’t know if you two have a chance unless you try,” she said.

My stomach twisted. I supposed I needed to follow my own advice. If Layla could be brave and put herself out there, then maybe I could too.