Page 29 of Season of the Witch (Toil and Trouble #3)

nineteen

They got through the caroling, just about.

Tia’s singing…well, Tia’s singing was as good as her baking and acting.

Unable to help it, Henry spent half the time laughing at her, which she made clear she didn’t appreciate.

Afterward, he apologized by dragging her into an alcove and using his fingers to make her come. She forgave him pretty quickly.

He couldn’t keep his hands off her. Which wouldn’t have been an issue since, you know, they were faking being in a relationship, but the unfortunate side effect when he got too hot for her was that he got, well, too hot.

And he tended to burn…stuff. But at least she seemed to like it. Liked his hands on her.

If he had one complaint, it was that she wouldn’t let him take his time. He wanted to learn her body’s secrets again, inch by inch, but whenever he started to savor her, she flipped the switch and used every wile she had to make his brains blow out.

There were worse problems to have.

Like the fact that more memories had floated to the surface—and he still hadn’t told her.

It wasn’t like he was hiding any major revelations.

He remembered the encounters she’d teased him with the afternoon they’d first had sex: a night in the gardens, in her childhood bedroom, at a party when she’d had to brew a healing salve for his hand after she’d bitten too hard when he’d covered her mouth.

She liked the excitement of that, almost being caught. It was a gut-deep certainty, a fact to add to the others creating a clearer picture of Tia Hightower.

There’d been a few non-sex-related memories, too. A meeting in Jackson Square, an impression of being young, trying desperately to look cool when he’d seen her approach, delighted with how she’d blushed when he’d tucked her hair behind her ear.

Another random day when they’d been reading in his parents’ library, her head in his lap, one of his hands holding his book, the other softly sifting through her hair. Peace.

An argument about his being late and her having sat alone in a restaurant for thirty minutes, his pointing out anyone could be a little late, her declaring anything over fifteen minutes without messaging the other person was shitty.

She’d been right, but he never did like backing down, holding his corner even when he knew he was being dumb.

There were a couple more memories that made him frown, ones he tucked away to examine, where he’d been late or canceled and she’d been—as he’d thought back then—unreasonable. It made his stomach twist, when he replayed the instances, seeing the unhappiness in her eyes.

It was shitty not to tell her he was remembering things; he knew that, but she was so quick to throw up walls. And if he kept quiet and paid attention, he might actually understand why they’d ever broken up. Because right now, being with her, he couldn’t.

He needed a little more time to learn how to fix them. Just a little more time.

It was better to focus on the present, on walking behind Siddeley, Tia and Annaliese as the group headed into the village for the Starlight carnival. On what he could do instead of what he had done.

Siddeley was bundled up in a Christmas scarf, eyes bright with excitement as he expounded on something to the witches on either arm. Annaliese was smiling, much more relaxed than at the beginning of the house party, and Tia…

He couldn’t look at Tia without his blood catching fire. It was stupid and distracting and he needed to get a hold of himself—not her—if they were going to secure this investment. People were counting on him…yet all he saw was her.

At least Siddeley seemed to be responding to this looser Tia, happy now that he wasn’t getting statistics shoved down his throat. Behold the benefits of sex.

Pondering that, Henry sensed more than saw Griffith sidle up to him. His muscles instinctively locked, but he strove not to show it.

They walked together in silence for a couple of houses before the warlock spoke. “Never thought I’d see you and Tia together again.”

Despite the faintly sardonic tone, Henry didn’t break his stride. “Stranger things.”

Griffith matched his pace, hands in his cashmere coat pockets. They passed more cute cookie-cutter houses, nearing the town square. “Convenient, though. Just when an international investor comes along, one who’s known to prefer family-owned companies, you two fall back into a relationship.”

Henry forced a polite smile. “If you know Tia at all, you know nothing about her is convenient.”

“Doesn’t seem to stop you from being with her.”

“I never wanted easy. And no offense, but it’s weird you’re this interested in us.”

“Just saying what I see.”

“And what’s that?”

“Two corner pieces.”

Henry frowned, sending a questioning look at Griffith.

“Both integral, but they’re never going to fit together.”

Henry turned to him then, peering through the twilight. “Seriously? What’s your problem? Are you into Tia or something? Because in case we haven’t made it clear, she’s with me.”

A faint smile. “The possessiveness is a nice touch. But c’mon. Tia Hightower isn’t built for a relationship. You found that out years ago. So, this? Who’re you fooling?”

He was looking for a reaction and Henry refused to give him one. Even if the words sparked nerves never deeply buried. “People change,” was all he said, refusing to rub the ache under his breastbone.

“Hmm.” The other warlock aimed a pitying look at him before drifting away.

Tia immediately fell back from Siddeley. “What was that about?”

Henry glanced once in Griffith’s direction before wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Nothing.”

Tia.

Tia.

Tia.

Help, I’ve been kidnapped.

Okay, if I had been, you’d have felt like a shitty friend for not messaging back.

I’m not going away.

I can do this for hours. Gabriel is with his sister this afternoon so I have all the time in the world.

This is cruel and unusual punishment.

Do you not like me anymore? Are you embarrassed?

Is he that bad in bed?

Tia pursed her lips at Leah’s last desperate message.

She was standing near the ten-foot Christmas tree in Westhollow’s town square, the scent of pine and fried food hovering in her nose.

Children squealed and laughed with their parents as they walked past, the glittering lights and decorations woven amongst the different stalls for food and games.

Henry had gone to get them a drink, and she’d made the mistake of checking her phone. Her brief message to Leah had, as predicted, dropped like a hex grenade.

To be fair, she’d known her simple I had sex with Henry. Nothing serious but it was fun. Thought you should know would kill Leah, whose curiosity was like a sixth sense.

Time difference aside, it hadn’t taken Leah twenty minutes before she was blowing up Tia’s phone.

With a small laugh at the running monologue, Tia typed back: Yes.

Ten seconds passed before her cell buzzed. Liar. Call me. Need to hear every detail.

No. Pervert.

Yup. But also what does this mean?? Can we go on triple dates now??

Tia grimaced and sent the middle finger emoji.

Leah sent a crying-laughing emoji. Then an eggplant.

You’re a teenager.

And you’re avoiding, Miss Avoider Avoidstein. A pause and then, How come Gabriel didn’t tell me? Has Henry not told him? Why? He should be shouting it from the rooftops.

Her friend switched from teasing to indignant on her behalf faster than it took most people to pull on pants.

Tia hesitated, fingers hovering over her cell’s touchscreen.

She hadn’t thought of that, that Henry’s friends would be bugging him for answers.

She knew he’d been getting messages from them and had been faking it pretty well.

If Gabriel wasn’t so circumspect himself, Henry’s oldest friend would’ve definitely been a problem.

She never thought she’d be glad for Gabriel Goodnight’s lack of social skills, but it was a funny old world.

Finally, she typed I asked Henry not to spread it around.

Just to spread it? *wink face*

Think he’d be telling ME that.

Seriously, WHAT’S HAPPENING? Are you guys a couple now?

NO.

All caps. Nerves. In-ter-esting. Dude must be crazy good in bed.

Tia scowled at her phone. Her friends sucked.

“What’s up?”

She looked up at Henry’s question and immediately tucked her phone away. Leah deserved no response. “Just my friends ragging on me. What’s in the cups?”

“Apparently, Baileys and hot cocoa—or chocolate—is big here. Figured we’d give it a try.”

She accepted the steaming takeout cup and sniffed. Chocolate and liqueur rolled over her. “Thanks.”

“So, this is a Starlight carnival,” he said, angling so he stood next to her, looking out at the array. “Subtle.”

Tia snorted a laugh. Thousands of twinkle lights hung above them in an elaborate net of stars, suspended with magic, though the humans would believe it was down to clever engineering. She had to admit it was pretty, if dramatic.

“What do you want to do first?” The heat of alcohol tinged with dark chocolate teased her tongue as she sipped, her gaze going to the stalls.

“Happy to do whatever. It’s our first carnival.”

She paused. “Actually, it’s not.”

He raised his eyebrows and lifted his drink to his lips, grimacing the next second. “That’s not for me.” He looked around and placed the cup on the bench to the right of them. Tucking his thumbs into his jean loops, he studied her. “So? What do we do at carnivals?”

She rubbed a hand along her thigh, uncomfortable. “What anyone likes to do, I guess. Play games, eat too much junk food, people-watch.”

“All right.” He offered his arm. When she only stared, he waggled it. “Come on. Show me how we carnival. You know, since I lost my memories and all.” He affected a sad expression.

Even though she knew he was joking, guilt made a fist and squeezed. Hiding it, she rolled her eyes and slid her hand around his biceps. “Lead the way.”

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