I want to reach out, hug him, thank him, something. The objects floating fall down with a clatter as I stop focusing on them and start paying more attention to the man next to me. He made this possible. Bane brought magic back into my life. Suddenly, a hug or a thank you feels inadequate.
The space between us starts shrinking. Right now, he seems as drawn to me as I am to him. We’re close, but not close enough. I lean forward and so does he…
The door swings open as a flood of witches burst into the shop, laughter and excitement spilling in with them. Bane steps back and the moment between us ends. My mom floats in behind the coven, and even from a distance, I see the wide grin plastered on her face.
“Surprise!” she calls, clapping her hands together. “Look who finally unlocked his magic!”
“What?” I swallow hard and step back from Bane. “What’s going on?”
“We’re having a party.” Mom pushes to the front of the crowd, outpacing witches struggling with grocery bags and a lopsided cake box. She sweeps me into a side-armed hug, still grinning. “If this isn’t a time to celebrate, I don’t know what is.”
A witch I only vaguely recognize sets down a stack of paper plates. Someone else juggles pints of vanilla ice cream and plastic spoons. There’s a store-bought chocolate cake with sticky white icing around the edges, my favorite. This celebration, whipped together on short notice, is perfect.
“Way to go, Josh!” someone calls from the back, and a chorus of cheers follows.
I stand there a bit stunned as they swarm me, surrounding me with hugs and congratulations. The whole coven, here to celebrate with me. It feels surreal.
Even the assistant manager Thalia gives me a hug. She pulls back quickly, a severe look on her face. “Don’t get too cocky. Being a member of the coven is a responsibility and a privilege. You can’t slack off.”
I nod dumbly, even though selecting a craft and joining a coven can wait for another day. Mom and the Fern coven specialize in potions, but I have no idea where my talents lie yet.
Bane’s with me the whole time, at the heart of the celebration. Every single coven member introduces themselves and he can’t possibly remember all their names. Yet every time, he rests a hand on their arm, using their name with a warm, “It was lovely to meet you,” and they all blush and swoon in response. Even the eldest member, at a sprightly eighty-seven years old, giggles and calls him a charmer. Even the lesbians seem impressed by him, casting approving glances my way.
One thing begins to sink in. I truly possess magic. And for tonight, I have Bane’s company too.
~
Josh
The night is a whirlwind of celebrating, but eventually it comes to an end. My mom calls it a night before I do and leaves without me. When I finally lock up the store and head home, Bane gives me a ride.
I fidget in the passenger seat as he pulls up to the edge of the Clover Pack territory. The engine idles softly, the only sound in the quiet night. My heart pounds in my chest as I gather my courage.
“Uh, Josh?” Bane waves a hand in my face. “I parked. What did you want to talk about?”
I nod to show I heard him, but I still have no idea what to say.
Bane believed in me tonight and helped me awaken my dormant magic. True, he didn’t see what I hoped he would. He didn’t Recognize me. Maybe he hasn’t caught me in the right moment. Maybe I haven’t opened up enough yet.
What he discovered is amazing in its own right. He hasn’t Recognized me, but he stumbled onto a part of me that even I couldn’t see.
That has to mean something, right?
Before I can overthink it, I lean in and press my lips against his.
He goes still, not moving a single muscle. For a heart-stopping moment, panic grips me, and I worry that I’ve somehow killed him—killed him with my lips. Or maybe he’s about tokill meand sock me across the jaw for daring to make a move on him.
But then he unfreezes and surges into me as he returns the kiss, better late than never, so much better. He cups the back of my neck with one hand and pulls me in closer. I go eagerly, our lips sliding together as he comes alive against me.
All those first dates of his have really paid off. He’s afantastickisser.
My hands grip the front of his brown bomber jacket, holding him to me. I never want this to end. Kissing my mate is everything I’ve dreamed of and so much more. Maybe fate knows what it’s doing after all.
Then he suddenly pulls away. My lips tingle from the heat of his kiss while I struggle to catch my breath.
“Hold on, we need to talk.” He clears his throat. “I need to be clear. I’m not looking for a serious relationship. Hooking up is fine, but I’m not interested in more.”
“That’s why you stopped? You needed to tell me thatright now?”
