She didn’t even know if it was safe for him to leave. The council had been observing Trev for the past few months, but if he knew anything, he wasn’t letting on. It was almost Christmas, and they’d even decorated a tree together, a small one she’d bought on impulse that had to be assembled from the box. It had lights on it, and she’d gone shopping at the holiday bazaar for ornaments, hardly aware that she’d begun to believe they’d need these things for next year and maybe the year after as well.

But…he’s already checking out.

Witches didn’t share the religious celebration, and they honored another holiday calendar altogether, but Leanne secretly enjoyed the lights and food and decorations for this time of year. So many things could be improved by adding peppermint. She tried to stop the tears by thinking of other things, but they just kept falling, fat and hot and heartbroken.

Finally, the question surfaced, the one she always tried to bury like a body in the back of her mind. Why am I not enough? Not for Junie. Not for Garrett. Or Malcolm. Or anyone she’d dated in between. There had never been anyone who lasted, who fought her self-imposed isolation and held on with both hands, who made her believe she was worth keeping.

In time, she cried herself out and silently blessed the glamour spell that would hide these ravages. Leanne put the laundry away, apart from the T-shirt she’d been crying into. And only then did she notice it was the one Trev had worn the night he showed up to her first speech. Shivering, she hugged it to her chest, feeling ridiculous and juvenile. If she was as brave as she pretended she was, she’d just fucking ask him what was wrong.

But his answer might scar her for life.

With determination, she tucked the tearstained shirt in the hamper and opened the closet door. Thankfully, Trev wasn’t home. He was riding his bike, something he did a lot lately.

When Vanessa texted, she seized on it like a lifeline. Not busy, what’s up?

Don’t forget the winter solstice festival. Can you get away?

Shit. She had almost forgotten, between her distant husband, the older brother who kept texting her, her political career, coven stuff, and her secret seat on the witch council. Sometimes she felt like pulling her hair out because too many things were happening at once, and she didn’t know how to deal with any of it.

I’ll be there.