#Chapter 61: A Strong Presence

Kayla The bell above the door chimed softly as I stepped into the small boutique, shaking the snow off my boots and rubbing my hands together for warmth. The air inside was nice and toasty, filled with the scent of vanilla and pine, and the faint sound of holiday music drifted from the back of the store. I stepped further into the store, offering a smile to the cashier as I passed. My fingers trailed absently over a stack of soft wool sweaters, lingering just long enough to feel the texture. I didn’t really need to buy anything, but it just felt nice to get out of the house for a bit. I knew I should have been home right now. I had work to do, things to address with Bluemoon. But the second Nicholas had stormed out, leaving that unbearable silence in his wake, I had grabbed my coat and left without so much as a second thought. I just needed some space, even from Jade and Emma. I needed air. I needed something—anything—that wasn’t his negative energy swirling a