Addison put Amara Jane down for her morning rest and found Luke in his office, searching the internet for a specific type of antique doorknob. After Sybil departed the night before, Addison had woken him and shared what happened. He’d been more accepting than she’d expected, making her willing to share even more.
“How’s the search going?” Addison asked.
He spun around in his seat and sighed. “It’s not. This restoration project I’m working on is tough. The Fordhams are hellbent on preserving as much of their house as they ...”
Luke leaned forward, eyeing her.
Addison wiped at her face. “What’s wrong? Do I have crumbs on my face or something? I just had a piece of toast.”
“Your hair. It’s a much brighter shade of red than it was yesterday.”
“I hadn’t noticed.”
She stepped into the hall, walked toward a mirror on a wall on the opposite end, and leaned in, taking a good look at herself.
He was right.
Her hair was the same shade as Sybil’s.
Luke walked up behind her. “Told you.”
“Well, what do you think? Good change or bad change?”
He lifted a lock of her hair into his hand. “I like it.”
“Good. I’d guess it’s here to stay.”
He stepped back, looking her over. “Wonder what else is different?”
“I’ll show you.” She turned one of her palms up and concentrated. A flame ignited over her hand. She swirled a finger in a circle until the shape of the flame altered, becoming a ball of fire.
Luke jumped back, his eyes fixated on what she’d created.
“Sybil said I no longer needed the book,” Addison said. “This is why. I can do things like this just by thinking about it.”
“What else are you capable of doing? Aren’t you worried?”
Addison waved a hand back and forth in the air, and the flame disappeared. “I’m not. I’m ... confident. More confident than I’ve ever been. It will take time to figure it all out. I don’t want you to fear who I am now. I need you to see me the way you always have.”
Luke nodded. “I do. And you’re right, we’ll both need time to adjust. I tried to remain calm last night when you told me. The truth is, I’m freaked out. I’ve become the skeptic, and you’ve become the optimist. We’ve reversed roles.”
They locked eyes, and it was obvious. He wasn’t looking at her the same way he always did. He looked nervous, like he was afraid what might happen if he touched her. She reached out to him, and he flinched.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “Addison, I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s fine,” Addison said. “I ... uhh ... I’m going to take a shower.”
She’d made it halfway down the hall when he called after her.
“Hey, what do you say we have a nice dinner together tonight?”
Seconds before, she’d been crushed by his behavior, but she could see he was trying his best. It was all she could ask of him. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled.
“It’s a date. I’d love to have dinner with you.”