Conall
The full moon is coming. Days have passed where I help at the shop during the day, spend evenings cooking and relaxing with Ivy, and then sleep with my arms wrapped around her with her face buried in my chest. She curls into me as though I am her own personal safe place.
I need it more than I've ever needed anything.
Tonight has been the same. Just as I slide under the covers to join her in bed she turns.
"My sister wrote me a letter. She's really upset that she can't call. Doesn't understand how an entire island doesn't have internet or cell service or even a basic landline. She threatened to come."
I snort. "She can try," I say, turning on my side so we're facing each other, which is when I realize I've made a terrible miscalculation. Ivy's bottom lip is between her teeth. Her eyes are tired and worn. She looks worried. "What's the matter?"
"My sister's only nineteen. Still in college. I miss her," she confesses.
I nod and pull her closer, kissing her forehead, her cheek, her nose. "When we cast the spell and the wards are fixed we'll go visit her. What's her name?"
"Ella." She smiles a little when she says it.
"When you and your ex divorced, why didn't you stay with Ella?" I ask gently. Ivy doesn't like to talk about her ex, and I can see the scar his memory left, but I plan on doing everything in my power to erase it.
"She was seventeen. Just getting into college. I couldn't derail her life like that."
Her hands find my sides and I'm more than ready to give her more. One hand drags down her spine, the other finds the nape of her neck, pulling her close.
"What about your parents?" I feel her nose slide back and forth against my chest as she shakes her head.
"Ella and I are half sisters. We didn't know our dads. Mom died in a car accident. Ella lived with a friend of our mom’s until she graduated."
I pull her in, holding her so she knows I'm here.
“I was mostly alone before I came here. Even before the divorce.” Her voice is devastatingly quiet. “I didn’t realize how lonely I was until I suddenly had all this.”
I look right back at her, open and steady.
"I'm proud of you for taking care of yourself. I will never dismiss you. You're the world to me. And if I ever do, leave my ass." She huffs a laugh but I’m serious. “I mean it Ivy. If I ever make you feel like that, then I’m possessed or under a curse, and I don’t want you to be with me like that. You leave. Dolly, Layla, Amy, and Ada will definitely help you kick me out. Puppy would probably eat my face off and you’d never have to see me again.”
She cringes but snuggles closer.
“What I really mean to say is you can lean on me," I say. “I won’t let you down.”
She squeezes me close, and that’ll be enough for now.