Penny for your thoughts.”

It was the next day, and despite my feelings from last night, I’d opened up Shelf Indulgence this morning as though nothing had happened. True, I was still ignoring that back storeroom, but—baby steps.

Just like Rome wasn’t built in a day, erasing what Austin had tried to do would take some time.

I said I was working, but honestly, that was me sitting at the front counter, staring out into the town square. I could see Maxwell hovering in my peripheral vision, but I didn’t have anything to say.

Apparently, he was tired of my silence.

“It was my fault.” It was the thought among many that had stuck to the forefront of my mind all day. When Maxwell didn’t answer or argue back, I slowly looked at him. “I should’ve known.”

“You’re being too hard on yourself. You’re young, and your gifts are young.”

I had no idea how long he’d been rehearsing that, but I wasn’t buying any of it. To me, they were merely words—excuses—we said when we hoped to placate someone. The blame had to fall somewhere, and as the empath, I couldn’t deny I felt responsible.

“Austin was my employee. I introduced him to Holly. Do you know how often we talked about her together . . . speculating about why Micah was so secretive? All this time, under my nose, and I had no clue.”

“Do you actively read people?” He gave me a stern look. I was surprised he didn’t pair it with pointing one of his pale slender fingers at me. “Are you all-wise, all-knowing?”

“Maxwell!” I exclaimed, slamming my hand down hard on the counter. “I. Should’ve. Known.” There was no way I was going to budge. I’d had all night to stew in my insecurities and musings.

“Fine.” He threw his hands up in frustration. “Then you need to share the blame and guilt around. Don’t be greedy, Sedona. We all deserve a huge serving of self-loathing this morning.”

I snorted in disbelief. “How do you figure that?”

I clicked on the computer’s keyboard, bringing the screen to life. Letters and numbers filled the brightness, but it all looked like a jumbled mess to me.

Maybe I should’ve stayed home like Micah had suggested.

“This entire town knew or at least has seen Austin, and no one noticed he was unhappy. How many times does your aunt come in here to harass you? A high-ranking coven member, and she didn’t sense anything either. You didn’t see her nefarious deeds alarm go off, did you?” He was being silly, but I saw his point.

Relenting a fraction, I took in a deep breath. “I promised them both things would be okay.”

That was what stung the most. I had convinced Micah I was someone safe to befriend and then look what happened—our world had exploded in gun smoke and violence.

That’s when the real reason buried under all my guilt surfaced.

“He’s going to leave, Maxwell. I saw it as plain as day when he was healing me. When he arrived in Havenwood Falls, he vowed that at the first sign of trouble, he would leave immediately with Holly. He would never risk her safety again, once he knew a place was too dangerous. And before you say it, do you honestly think I’m the best person to tell him to stay?”

“Yes, Sedona! Can’t you see he feels something for you?” His eyes lit up with passionate fervor. “And before you argue with me, a man can tell these things about another man. You stole his heart.”

“But that was before, and this is now,” I fired back. “Too much has happened.”

“You didn’t see his face when you were shot, or the blatant fear that threatened to break him when you said you were dying. I’m telling you, Sedona, quit being stubborn and go talk to him.”

Micah and I had agreed to meet later, after I convinced him I’d be okay. Holly was his priority, and from what he’d shared, she was still pretty shaken up.

“Face it, Maxwell. My spinster status is still secure. He won’t be staying.”

Tuning him out, I stared back out the window.

And I need to somehow let him go.

* * *

I must’ve dozed off, because the next thing I was aware of was Maxwell yelling loudly to rouse me.

“Sedona, get up now!”

Chills skated over my sleep-dazed senses as I cracked open an eye.

“Sorry, I guess we should just lock up for the day and go home. I’m not much use here anyway.” I’d tried all day to keep busy with orders and light dusting, but my heart just wasn’t in it. Untouched books sat beside me at the front counter. Even the delicious treats from the bakery that I sold to customers with their purchases remained uneaten.

“He was leaving Havenwood Falls, but I convinced him to wait long enough to say goodbye.” Maxwell was as solid as I’d ever seen him, his hands fidgeting with agitation. “You don’t have much time, though. Hurry.”

A million thoughts raced through my mind. “What? Micah was here?” Stretching out the tight kink in my neck, I looked about. “Why didn’t he wake me?”

“Sedona,” Maxwell exclaimed again, sounding like he wanted to shake me. “There’s no time to explain.”

And with that, my ghost friend disappeared—only to reappear outside the bookstore in the middle of the town square. A loud squawk went up us he startled a few people taking a brisk walk through the center.

Once he knew I’d seen him, Maxwell popped back in, amused by the astonished expression I wore.

“You left!” I gaped. “How the heck did you do that?”

He reached for my hand. It breezed through my own. Some habits, no matter how long ago used, were still hard to break.

“We don’t have time, Sedona. Please. For once, do what you’re told and go to Micah’s home. He told me he could hang around for an hour—no more. Go, or you’ll miss out on your chance to tell him how you feel.”

The world felt like it was crashing down around me—sounds blurring until all I could hear was the truth. Micah wasn’t even going to tell me what had happened. He wasn’t even giving me the courtesy of saying goodbye before he and Holly disappeared.

When he’d taken me home the night before, it was with the understanding that once we were all better rested, we would talk about everything. Any question I had, and I had many, would be rewarded with answers.

Yet here was the painful truth—I hadn’t even warranted that level of respect.

“It’s better this way,” I replied, rapidly shutting down each and every feeling I had. I didn’t want to feel anymore. I was done being empathic, and I was over opening my heart, only to feel it break. When Maxwell tried to argue, I dug in deeper. “His life is not his own. If it was, I truly believe he would’ve come himself.”

I picked up a chocolate mint brownie I’d placed on a plate earlier, but didn’t take a bite. I crumbled the treat between my fingertips instead, making a mess.

All I could see, however, were all those precious seconds and moments of possibilities—all the what-ifs that could’ve been mine and Micah’s.

“Are you seriously going to spout that bullshit to me?” The corner of Maxwell’s mustache twitched as he began chastising me.

“Do you really think anything I could say to him will make a difference? It’s not like he’s been forthright with anything other than his reluctance in being more social.”

“I watched you all these years, Sedona. Witnessed your loneliness and struggles with being empathic. Micah wasn’t the only one keeping others at arm’s length. What does it say that a beautiful young woman’s two closest friends are a stubborn old ghost and a three-legged cat? Somewhere along the way, you got hurt . . . whether from other people’s thoughtlessness or unresolved grief over your parents’ deaths. You keep to yourself and surround yourself with other people’s stories.” In a grand gesture, Maxwell waved his hands about to the various shelves that lined the store. “Here is one irrefutable fact for you, Sedona . . . there is no greater story than the one you write yourself. Your tales and your adventures.”

He was giving quite the impassioned speech, and I half wondered how long he’d been storing it away for the perfect opportunity. Holding my head in my hands, elbows crooked on the counter, I searched my heart until all I could do was whisper.

“What if I tell him to stay and he leaves anyway?” I’d finally given voice to the real fear hiding behind my bullheadedness. “What if he was never mine to ask?”

“Isn’t that what life and love is all about? I’m not saying you have to be madly in love with him, but aren’t you even the slightest bit curious? Go. You’ll regret it if you don’t.” Maxwell’s features softened, and his gaze filled with tenderness. “Besides, I barely tolerate the cat you have now. I can’t imagine the chaos here if you added more felines to the mix.”

I started laughing. “I love you, Maxwell. Thank you.” Pushing the chair back and grabbing my coat, I wrapped a thick woolen scarf around my neck and tugged a beanie on my head. “What’s life without a little risk?”

It may have been the lighting, but I thought a hint of tears glistened in his eyes. “It’s what makes all the darkness and uncertainty worth it, sweet girl. Now go and don’t return without him.”

I didn’t even bother replying, locking the store up behind me, before rushing toward Micah’s home. The paths were a little icy and slick, but that didn’t stop me.

I had no idea what I was going to say when we were face-to-face.

Perhaps words weren’t needed.

Maybe it was time to lay it all bare with nowhere to hide.