Crickets.
Nada.
I was still a little too nervous about trying another spell, at least at Torin’s house, but maybe that would be the key to unlocking whatever level of power I had. I was taking my time going through the books I’d taken from Zara’s flat, but so far nothing I’d read had given me any further inclination about my powers. Sure, the books themselves were chock-full of recipes and magickal spells, but that didn’t necessarily lead me any further down the road to understanding what my particular magick was.
“And you’re living at Torin’s then?”
I looked at Agnes in surprise but then shook my head with a small laugh.
“Small towns.”
“Aye, get used to it. Everyone knows everyone else’s business. Isn’t that right, Graham?” Agnes raised her voice as Graham came back across the room, his arms full of dirty glasses.
“I’m not sure what you’re referring to, darling. You know all of my business.” Graham deposited the glasses by the cleaning station.
“Do I? What’s that I heard about you helping a pretty lass from Linlithgow the other day?”
“You’ll have to be more specific. There are loads of bonnie lasses coming through here.” Graham held up a glass and Agnes nodded. Filling it with ice, he topped it up with sparkling water and a lime, and then he slid her a bottle of cordial to add flavor.
“The one who you personally showed how to locate her accommodation?” Agnes sniffed and a wide smile split Graham’s face.
“Och, darling. Are you jealous?”
“Not in the slightest.” Agnes rolled her eyes. “I’m just getting Liora up to speed on how small towns work and how quickly news carries.”
“And did the gossips also tell you the lass was my cousin’s girlfriend?”
“Ah, no.” Agnes sniffed. “They may have failed to mention that.”
Amusement fluttered through me as I watched the two, who were clearly besotted with each other, try to pretend like they didn’t care in the slightest what the other was doing.
“So, Torin?” Agnes turned to me, dismissing Graham. “How’s it living with him? Are you two…”
Agnes left the comment dangling, and I shrugged.
Torin was all in on us dating. Or at least, that was how it seemed. He’d brought home the makings for dinner each night after work, and we’d talked long into the night about everything and anything. And then he’d give me a lingering kiss that had every nerve ending in my body on fire, before I’d push him away and hightail it for my room. I was grateful to have the space this weekend because what I needed to do was get my head on straight.
Weweren’tdating. At leastIdidn’t think so.
But he was acting just like a devoted boyfriend, and his kisses were hot enough to make me forget any resolve I had about not jumping into things headfirst. The more we cozied in together, the more I was likely to ignore every red flag fluttering cheerfully around this fake relationship.
We’d also said we were committed to this act until I resolved Torin’s truth telling issue, which meant this was my first test. Did I say we were nothing? If so, I’d be throwing Torin under the bus because he was convinced we were actually dating. Or at least he’d convinced himself enough so that it wouldn’t come out as a lie if anyone asked him about it. Frustration filled me,because the lines were murky now, and I had no idea how to navigate it.
“Um…it’s…”
“Complicated?” Agnes said, shooting a look at Graham.
“The best things usually are, darling,” Graham drawled and there was enough heat in his look to make my face flush. I noticed Agnes’s cheeks pinken too and she visibly swallowed before looking back at me.
“Be that as it may, I won’t pry. Yet.” Agnes smiled at me. “I’ll get the details out of you over wine one night this week. Come by the store? Books and a wee gossip?”
“I’d love that.” I meant it, too. I was craving connection and friendships. And, as much as I loved Zara, her relationship came with some strings. Largely that as the older sister, she felt she had to always look out for me, so I didn’t always feel I could talk as freely with her as I liked. I wanted her friendship and love, but it was often served with a side of censure.
I couldn’t blame her, necessarily. It wasn’t like I always made the best decisions.
But they were my decisions.
I really needed to get better at my self-talk.