Chapter 5
Chapter
Five
The momentI step into the arrivals lounge, Iris is there, wrapping me in a warm hug.
”You couldn”t wait for a potion, huh?” she teases.
“I wish I could’ve, but I had to get out of there.”
Iris replies with a sympathetic nod. ”How was your flight?” she asks, though the knowing look in her eyes suggests she can already guess the answer.
I grimace, the memory of the flight”s anxiety still fresh. ”Let”s just say I”ve had better, but at least I”m here now,” I add, trying to find the silver lining as we make our way toward the lower level.
Iris shakes her head, her expression turning serious. ”I can”t believe what a snake Tomas turned out to be,” she says.
I sigh, the weight of the betrayal still heavy on my heart. ”I know. I feel like such an idiot. I thought we were just too busy with work, but it turns out he had plenty of free time.”
Iris’s protective streak flares up, fierce as ever. ”Want me to hex him? Because, you know I can.” She isn’t joking. I see a flicker of ice in her eyes, reminding me never to mess with a winter witch.
A laugh bubbles up despite the ache. ”Tempting, but let”s not add ”fugitive from magical justice” to my list of current woes.” As we reach the baggage claim, the conveyor belt hums to life. I instinctively keep an eye out for my luggage until I remember I don’t have any. That”s when I spot him again, California Guy, retrieving a large object from the oversized baggage area. Even from a distance, the shape of the package screams ”surfboard.” It fits him, that laid-back, sun-kissed vibe he exudes.
Iris nudges me. ”Earth to Clair. Who”s got you mooning by baggage claim?”
I snap back, a flush creeping up my cheeks. ”It”s no one. Just a guy from the plane.” I”m not about to dive into the odd, comforting connection I felt with a stranger, especially with my life currently resembling a soap opera plot. Thankfully, he’s out the door before Iris can track him down, something I could see her doing.
Iris’s brow arches, but she lets it slide, for which I”m silently thankful. As we head toward the opposite exit, my mind wanders back to the surfer. There”s a story there, I”m sure, but it”s one I”ll have to bookmark for another day. Right now, I”ve got my own tangled narrative to sort through, starting with this impromptu sanctuary in Mystic Hollow.