42. Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Two
A ripple of laughter broke free as Willow stepped back from the embrace. Glenn stood, his eyes wide as his glazed look faded into shock. His bewilderment made her laugh more, as unfair as it was.
‘Did we just kiss?’
She nodded. ‘But in our defence, we were both under the influence of a love potion brewed by your daughter. And I don’t know about you, but this will be an experience I don’t want to repeat.’
‘Me neither if it induces you into a fit of giggles. My technique must be off.’
Willow mentally counted down to the moment he would comprehend the first part of her declaration. Obviously, male pride about performance trumped being drugged.
‘I assure you, your technique is just fine.’
‘I can’t believe you laughed. At least you didn’t wipe your mouth with the back of your hand.’
‘What, like this?’ Willow did as he suggested, wiping any remaining potion molecules away.
‘Just like. Hang on, did you just say my daughter cast a spell on me? On you?’
Willow nodded, grabbing hold of his arm. ‘Mainly you. I sussed something was going on in a couple of sips. Still enough for me to kiss you back, though. She’s exceptionally good at magic. I tried to warn you, but you didn’t look at your phone.’
‘It was out of battery. Shit. I’ll kill her. Why an earth would she—?’
‘Go easy on her. She had her reasons. I think she wants us both to be happy and secure, especially you. She doesn’t want you to be lonely when she goes to uni. She did it with love and best intentions.’
‘How come you’re so calm about this? Doesn’t this violate some witchy human right laws?’
‘I’ve had the day to think about it and while love potions aren’t to be played with, they’re not banned. They have consequences, but free will still exists. It lowers inhibitions, like being drunk.’
‘Well, I did some pretty shit things while I was drunk. I don’t feel drunk now.’
‘The kiss stopped that and the antidote I slipped into your drink.’
‘Great, so you drugged me too. It’s like living in a spy novel. I love you, Wills, but this would never happen normally. You’re my best friend, but—’
‘I agree,’ Willow said. ‘Anything more than friendship would be too weird. I mean, after all the things I heard Lou say about your life together, I could never compare and nor would I want to. She’d haunt me if I ever hurt you.’
‘Hang on. What exactly did she talk to you about?’ Glenn studied her as she blushed. Louise was never one for holding back on her emotions or experiences. Willow bent down to remove her shoes. The damp sand squidging between her toes was a welcome distraction.
‘Everything. Nothing,’ she mumbled. ‘Girl stuff, you know.’ To avoid deeper interrogation, she ran down to the seashore. He quickly pursued. They walked, arms linked at the water’s edge. The waves lapping over their feet with each ebb and flow.
‘How do you think Amber will react when she discovers her plan didn’t work?’
‘To be fair, Glenn, after her embarrassment fades, she’ll be okay. She’s torn—she wants you to be happy, and not alone, but also doesn’t want to lose you. I am the easy, safest option. She knows me. Another woman might take you away from her when she has only just found you.’
‘No one can do that.’
‘You need to tell her, convince her, and then maybe you’ll get to choose your own dates.’
‘I’m not going on any more dates. I told you.’
‘You did, but that was when you thought Amber was hurting herself.’ An image of Glenn laughing with another woman flashed through Willow’s mind.
‘Who is she?’ she asked.
Glenn looked down at his feet and smoothed out the sand with his foot before answering. ‘Lorna. I met her at AA and have been helping her out in her garden. She’s lovely, caring, and fun.’
‘And pretty. But is she a witch?’ Willow needed to check.
‘No. Two witches in my life are enough, but she knows about Amber and you. She’s intrigued but unfazed.’
Willow listened and watched his face light up as he spoke about Lorna. Amber need not have worried. Without her help, Glenn was happy.