Chapter Four
After the exhibit, she and Quinn had dinner at a Mexican place a few blocks away. They spent most of the meal throwing insults at each other and laughing, and, though she had a good time, she couldn’t wait to get home.
As Selena closed the door to her apartment, she breathed out a long sigh. Now that she could let her guard down, all the tension left her body, and she slumped back against the front door. Her knees buckled at the memory of that kiss. Quinn's lips had sent desire straight to her belly (and if she was really honest, much lower), but, apparently, it was all a joke to Quinn.
The sting of rejection had hit her hard, although she really should have been used to it by now. But still, coming from him, it hurt. So, she put on her usual front—brassy, bold, and completely unfazed. She was just “one of the guys” because, as she learned growing up, it hurt less. It meant not having to worry that her stepsisters would go after a boy the moment Selena showed interest in him. It also meant it was easier to pretend it didn’t hurt when a guy dropped her like a hot potato the moment either Alexis or Katrina started paying attention to him.
She told herself it was better this way. On looks alone, Quinn was way out of her league. It took all her strength not to melt whenever he flashed her those baby blues or to keep staring at his full mouth. The feel of them on hers branded into her brain. Today, he was wearing another one of those too-tight shirts that showed off his perfect physique and those ripped jeans that molded to his ass.
“I’m such an idiot,” she said aloud, slamming her fists on the door. With another loud sigh, she walked over to the couch and plopped down, sinking into the cushions. Why did she invite him to go to the exhibit anyway? Sure, it was sweet of him to get her those tickets, but he didn’t even assume he would go with her. She should have just said thanks and let him go.
A buzzing sound snapped Selena out of her thoughts, and she grabbed her phone, checking the caller ID—Dad. She let out another groan. She’d been dodging her father’s calls for days now.
Tossing the phone aside, she grabbed one of the throw pillows and placed it over her face. She let out a muffled scream as she waited for the call to go to voicemail.
If only Quinn had been his usual asshole self during dinner. Sure, they traded barbs, but he was so sweet. He even pulled out her chair for her, asked her what she wanted to eat, and then paid for the meal. For Christ’s sake, he even brought her back to her apartment in Washington Heights, even though he lived in the opposite direction, and waited until she was safely in the building before leaving. It was frustrating because her heart did little flip-flops whenever he smiled at her. She had to repeat his words in her head over and over again to tell the damn thing to stop. Quinn was not a relationship type of guy. From the moment they met, she branded him a manwhore, and he confirmed it today. But what about her? Well, that was complicated.
Her phone beeped, indicating a message had come in. Wow, a call followed by a message. Her father was serious. She picked up the phone from between the cushions and glanced at the text. Call me. Another long sigh. She supposed she couldn’t put it off. Hitting the return call button, she braced herself.
“Hi, Dad.”
“Selena,” Leonard Merlin replied. “Why didn’t you pick up?”
“I was … in the bathroom.”
“All right, well, I’ve been trying to get a hold of you the entire week.”
“I know, I’m sorry dad. Things are busy at work. Budget cuts and all,” she lied.
“Well, now that I have your undivided attention,” Leonard began, “We need to talk.”
“About what?”
“Joseph and Melissa want to formalize your engagement to Jason. A summer solstice wedding would be a good omen and who knows, maybe by this time next year, you’ll have my grandchild.”
“Er …” Oh yeah, that’s what was complicated.
Few people outside the magical world knew how their society worked. The amount of power a witch or warlock had dictated their place in the hierarchy of things, and Selena, being powerless, had no social standing at all. No warlock should have wanted her, but being distantly related to Charlotte Fontaine (the most powerful witch in their history) and her last name somehow gave her an edge and made her a better prospect than even Alexis or Katrina. While she may be Selena the Dud, there was a chance her children could come into power, and even blessed power. Witch and warlock marriages weren’t strictly arranged, certain pairings were encouraged, especially if both parties wanted to secure their position in the magical community.
Selena initially didn’t want to marry anyone at all. Having been burned so many times by past crushes falling for her stepsisters, she was holding out and hoping they would settle down first. But her father had been insistent, telling her if she wanted to have children with any power at all, her only chance was with a powerful warlock. She was actually surprised to learn that Jason Ward, the son of one of their elders, had any interest in her. Not only was he a talented warlock, but his father was also one of the more prominent coven elders. She’d known Jason since grade school and though they’d been in some classes together in high school, it wasn’t like they were best friends. In fact, he seemed rather cold, not just to her but to everyone. She knew Alexis and Katrina both had their eyes on him, but he didn’t take their bait, a fact that had her stepsisters steaming mad.
It was just after Christmas when her father told her Jason was interested. Frankly, she was surprised, but Jason came to her in person and put it so logically. They were both relatively young, which meant they could try for a couple of kids. Jason was a partner in his father’s law firm, and she could stay home and raise the children if she wanted to. Really, if she was going into an arrangement, she couldn’t have asked for a better person. Jason said she could take her time to consider his proposal. But still, she thought of him like a stranger, even though she’d known him her whole life. How could she muster up any lust for him? Thoughts of lust brought back memories of Quinn and their kiss. Talk about bad timing.
“Selena, are you there?”
How long had she zoned out? Selena rubbed her eyes. “Yes, I’m here, Dad.”
“So, what about it?” Leonard asked. “We can have the engagement party at Glenwood. Melissa says she’ll take care of everything, and all you have to do is show up.”
“I don’t know, dad.”
There was silence on the line for what seemed like forever. “Selena. How could you possibly need more time to think about this? Don’t you see that this is your only chance to make a good match? Jason Ward could have any witch he wants, but he chose you.”
“I—”
“Selena, you won’t be able to find a better offer than this. In fact, I highly doubt any warlock with even a smidgen of power would be interested in you. Can’t you see? This is your duty. To help produce the next generation of witches and warlocks. Don’t you want children?”
Selena bit her lip. Of course she wanted kids. She would love any child she had, magical or not, but if they were magical, it would make their lives easier. Unlike hers. “You can’t possibly expect me to marry someone I don’t know.”
Leonard let out a laugh and then his voice turned serious. “Really, Selena, how can you be so choosy? I swear, if you don’t give this some serious thought … there will be consequences.”
Her father’s voice cut deep into her. Leonard didn’t have to say it, but she knew what that meant. When her mother was alive, she was always telling Selena the importance of being part of the community, and, while she was growing up, she did enjoy coven life. It was only when she hit puberty and her powers didn’t come in that they started treating her differently. Not cruelly, the way her stepsisters did, but they all gave her looks of pity, and she knew they all thought the same thing—what a shame that a child from two powerful bloodlines turned out to be a disappointment. Still, the coven was important to her and to the memory of her mother.
If Leonard was saying what she thought he was saying, it meant only one thing. Banishment. She’d be shunned instead of pitied. No support system. She wouldn’t even be able to visit Philadelphia or her childhood home or her mother’s grave.
“I … fine …” she relented. “I’ll think about it some more and give him my answer soon.” Not like she had any other prospects anyway. Maybe she should consider the engagement.
“Good. I’ll be waiting to hear your decision.” And with that, her father hung up.
In truth, Selena had all but forgotten about Jason’s proposal in the last few weeks. At that time, she had not only been flattered but considered it. She wanted a child and a family, but her stepsisters seemed determined to make sure no man would come near her. But now? The thought of marrying Jason made her stomach churn, which was strange. She wasn’t disgusted, but it just seemed … wrong. And then, of course, there was the other part. Sex.
Selena didn’t want to die alone, surrounded by the cats she would surely have hoarded by the time she went senile, and have her body discovered by a neighbor when her corpse began to stink up the hallway. And she didn’t want to die a virgin, either. Alexis and Katrina stole every single boy in high school who even showed a margin of interest in her, so she never had a boyfriend or even a friend-with-benefits. And, with Alexis following her to the same college she didn’t even bother. Instead, she focused all her time and energy on graduating with honors so she could get the hell out of Philadelphia.
The door unlocking and opening caught her attention, and she sat up straight, trying to look casual.
“Hey Evie-girl,” she said as the brunette entered the apartment.
“Hey Sel,” Evie replied. She dropped her things in the small foyer and walked over to the couch, plopping down beside her.
“How was your day?”
“Ugh.” Evie slumped back and put an arm over her eyes. “I swear, I’m never going to get a callback.”
“Don’t worry. It’ll happen.” Selena had been to many of Evie’s open mic nights, and she knew her best friend was incredibly talented. Evie just needed one break, and once people saw her on stage, she’d finally reach her dream of becoming a famous Broadway actress.
“Yeah, well, I’m just glad I have a paying job now, and I can stay here,” she said. “How about you? Anything interesting happen?”
Yeah, a hot Lycan kissed me, and my father threatened to banish me if I didn’t get into an arranged marriage. “You know, same old, same old.” Pushing thoughts of the day aside, she linked her arm through Evie’s. “C’mon, let’s go spend time with our best boyfriends.”
Evie giggled. “You mean Ben and Jerry?”
“I have that emergency carton stashed in the back,” Selena said. “I have a feeling tonight’s as good a time as any to break it out.”