19

I rode my bike to the hospital and was locking it to the bike stand when Adam caught up with me.

"Hey," he said by way of greeting.

"Hey back." I shouldered my backpack and Adam joined me as we walked toward the entrance.

"I heard your Dad wants to see me."

Adam nodded. "I can get you in." We fell into an awkward silence, broken only by the shuffling of

our feet.

"I hate this."

"What?" Adam looked thoughtful, like he really cared what I had to say.

For a moment, he seemed so much like my Adam that I faltered. "Umm, this...us. It's weird."

He nodded. "You're right."

We'd reached his Dad's room by that point, so there was nothing left to say. He'd been moved to a regular room, and greeted us with a big smile. "How are you, Cassie? Adam tells me you've been taking care of things at the Boathouse. I really appreciate that, especially with your other job."

I was hardly the only one. "It's no problem."

Adam offered to get me coffee from the caf. "You like it black, right?"

I smiled in memory of our private joke where I liked my coffee dark, like my magic. "Yes, thanks."

That left me with time to talk to Ethan. "So you wanted to speak to me about something?"

Ethan nodded. "Adam told me everything."

Oh, God, could this be any more awkward? "Everything?"

His face darkened. "I know what your father did, and it's my fault."

I was so not ready to have this conversation. "You didn't act alone."

Ethan said, "Amelia said it was a bad idea. She never trusted the witch hunters."

"Have you discussed any of this with Adam?"

Emotional pain flared in his eyes. "Not yet. He's going through so much right now."

I completely understood. "Want a piece of advice? Don't tell him."

Adam chose that moment to walk in. "Don't tell me what?"

He looked between us expectantly, and my heart sank at having to lie to him yet again. "Nothing. We were just talking about my Mom."

Adam's lips twisted slightly at catching me in a lie. "Didn't sound like nothing."

I forced a smile as he handed over my coffee. "Thanks. This is just what I need."

We took up positions on each side of the bed like bookends, and it turned into a slightly more comfortable visit. Ethan continuously made an effort to draw me out, and I found myself talking about Sally and our summer plans. "It will be good to get away," I said, not meeting Adam's eyes as they searched my face.

"But you'll keep in touch, right?" Adam's voice took on that husky tone that indicated hurt.

I had no plans to do that. "I'll be off the grid, actually. Gran tells me they have no Internet or cable."

Ethan picked up on what we weren't saying. "Maybe Sally's grandmother can fill us all in."

"Maybe." I made motions to leave, and said, "I'm glad you're feeling better, Mr. Conant."

"Come again soon."

"I will." In fact, Sally and I had tonight's watch.

Adam followed me out and suddenly reached out to touch my hand. "When were you planning on telling me?"

Energy instantly jumped between us, and his startled expression told he he felt it too. Looking down at his long, tapered artist's fingers, I said, "I already did."

"You know what I mean."

He made no attempt to let go, and I shivered slightly as the fine hairs on my neck rose. "I need time, Adam."

"Time," he echoed, tightening his grip to a painful pressure.

I winced. "That hurts. Do you mind?"

Adam sighed and finally released me. "I want to understand, but you won't let me in."

I spotted Diana headed straight for us. "There's nothing to understand. Our destiny is done."

"I don't believe that," he whispered before turning to greet Diana.

"Is everything OK?" I know she meant was everything OK with Ethan.

"He's doing great," I said, eyeing the shopping bag hooked over her arm. "And I know he'll appreciate whatever you've brought."

Diana's smile looked strained. "So we'll see you later?"

That was a dismissal if ever I heard one. With my best phony smile, I said, "Of course. See you."

"Oh my God, it was so awkward," I admitted to Sally as we chowed down on takeout from the Boathouse.

"I know, but you have to know it will get better."

"I hope you're right." All signs pointed to yes, but not when it came to Diadam. There was still something profound that tied them together, and nothing would ever change that.

Sally grinned. "I'm always right. Just ask Felicity."

Her reference to that classic TV show made me smile back. "Or Regina?"

She tapped her forehead. "She thinks I have the gift too."

I could believe it. "That's good, right? Your Poppy radar should be on high alert."

Sally's head swiveled around. "I caught one of her cronies lurking around the lobby."

"When was this?"

"Just before I got here. She saw me and took off."

So Poppy's coven knew we were watching. "Maybe she was scouting the place out."

I would take the bitch down sooner or later, even if it killed me to do it. And I would take care of anyone else who got in my way too. I smiled at Sally and said, "Good for her. We'll be ready when they make their next move."

Sally smiled at my we reference. "Nothing that a sledgehammer or 2x4 won't handle."

That was way too close to what I'd almost done to Ethan. "Right."

"Hey, do you want those chicken wings?"

"Have at 'em." I handed her my white box right when Faye strolled in.

"Oh, are those for me?" She scooped the box out of Sally's hands and sat on my other side.

Sally rolled her eyes. "I'm going to check on Mr. Conant."

Faye smirked. "It's so cute the way you two have bonded."

"And so cool that she hates your guts," I retorted with an eye roll.

Faye's grin widened. "Good to know my bitch factor is still in the red."

It was hard not to laugh. "Not anymore. I think Poppy's got you beat."

Her smile slipped a notch. "No way that bitch has the upper hand."

"Oh, I don't know. I think smuggling in the knife that Adam used on his Dad might put her over the top."

Faye actually pouted. "That's ingenious."

Those weren't the words I would have used. "Your concern for my well being is touching."

She dismissed my comment with a hand wave. "Oh, you can take her down any day."

"Are you sure?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "I've seen you in action, remember?"

I tapped my forehead with the heel of my hand. "Right. Badass."

"You go, devil girl."

I heard the familiar tapping of Diana's boots and Melissa's heels. "Saved at last," I said with a grin.

"Oh, must you go already?" Faye said through a mouthful of wing.

"I must." My boss was expecting me to close tonight, and I had to finish studying for Chem.

Sally came back and smiled without saying anything. We gathered up our stuff and moved off without saying another word. "Are we back to stony cold silence?"

"More like indifference," I said.

"I thought you all kissed and made up."

"Not quite."

"But Melissa's on your side, right?"

"Maybe." My trust in Melissa had grown exponentially, but I couldn't be completely sure of her.

"Well, you have me. And Regina."

That was pretty much the only time I really smiled that day. Nothing went right at the coffee house, and I gave up studying when Poppy strolled in with her coven. The boss was out back, and I was the only one manning the counter. My Dad might bail me out, but for all I knew, he was in the throes of passion with Dawn. I texted a quick SOS to Jake and put my phone out of sight. Poppy looked around with a sneer. "Nice digs."

"Was there something you wanted? We close in five minutes."

She and two of her Big Bads flanked me. "That won't be soon enough for you."