“That’s certainly a possibility.”
Eddie is playing coy, and oh how Wendy enjoys the chase. If he didn’t want to talk he could shut her down and she would let the matter be. But it seems Eddie is far too excited to keep this information to himself.
Bernard calls out to Eddie in the ring, “It wouldn’t happen to be a certain roommate would it?” Oswald tries to admonish him by smacking his arm, but is betrayed by the laugh he tries to stifle.
Eddie stops one of Wendy’s blows and stares wistfully at the floor beneath his feet, his smile softening from mischievous knowing to one of fond recollection. Wendy sees her opening to strike, though, not with her fists. “Jackson always said if he bothered to go he’d give me his plus one invite. Unless of course, someone caught his eye. Tell me, Eddie, do you get your own invitation or shall I give up hope of going this year?”
“I have my own plus one, which has been offered and accepted. Jackson hasn’t said anything about going this year. Unless he told you something?” A glimmer of hope shines apparent in Eddie’s tone, it had only been a day but perhaps Jackson had made up his mind.
Wendy has her prize within her sights, a sinister grin darkening her face. “You know, for all his evasive ways and avoidance of last night, he did ask me if I was free on the solstice next week. Usually on solstice days we watch movies and order take out with Mrs. Lee, before her passing. He didn’t specify what I was free for, nor would he clarify. It’s half the reason I’m a little riled up. Are you saying I should have a nice dress planned out for that day, Eddie?”
Eddie towels off and grabs a drink of water, noticing how Bernard and Oswald look at him with anticipation. He chuckles and shrugs as he turns to face Wendy who’s cooling down. “I hope I could say yes, but all I can say is he didn’t say no. We are both hoping he’ll join us for what I’m sure will be an unforgettable night.”
We?Wendy’s ears perk up at the word.
So he didn’t ask Jackson, but whomever Eddie asked had said yes. And they were both hoping for Jackson to be there that day as well. And in the past three months, only one other person would fit the description of someone both Eddie and Jackson had grown close to. The same someone who has the knowledge and access to magic that could tear a hole in the clouds and light up the sky to teach Jackson a lesson. She thinks back to when Jackson came into the office, his own demeanor joyful andtriumphant. All the pieces are coming together in Wendy’s mind.
Jackpot.
She just needs one more thing to confirm her theory, and nothing helped her think like a good cup of coffee. She plasters on her most innocent smile and calls over to Seamus. “Seamus, did I get you those drinks I owed you and your staff?” She had, which only serves to confuse the muscular gnome. He opens his mouth to correct her, then quickly shuts it when he sees the glimmer in her green and gold eyes.
The bond between hopeless gossips grows strong between them and understanding blooms. “Oh, you know what, Wendy, I can’t be sure. The whole thing was swept to the side by the commotion that day I just can’t remember.”
“Oh, inthatcase, why don’t we say I didn’t and I grab some today. I really don’t mind since you’ve all been so nice.” Coffee for the staff is a small price to pay for Wendy to obtain the knowledge she seeks.
“That sounds splendid. But, oh wait, you don’t have long left on your lunch break. We wouldn’t want you to be late. I know, Eddie! It’s been a week or so since you went on the coffee run, why don’t you assist Wendy, we’ll be fine here.”
The idea of seeing Hakeem during a coffee run had slipped Eddie’s mind, he’s almost embarrassed to face the man again after asking him out. His heart thunders in his ears as his palms begin to sweat. He can barely squeak out a reply, “Sure, I can help, no worries.”
Wendy claps her hand’s together gleefully, “Oh amazing. Thank you, Eddie. Let me change and we’ll head out okay?” Her voice is melodic as she hops out of the ring.
“Honey bear?” Asks Oswald, as he watches the blush creep up the neck of one of their oldest friends.
“Yes, my sweet river otter?” Replies Bernard as he watches Eddie squirm like a teenager thinking about their crush.
“Shall we get some coffee before we head home?”
“That sounds nice, Ozzy. Hey, Eddie! Mind if we join you and Wendy on the walk to ‘Shapeof Brew’?”
Eddie doesn’t risk facing his friends as he isn’t sure if his cheeks are flushed from the workout or the thoughts filling his head. “Sure, just meet us at the front as soon as you can.” Eddie can do this, he can see Hakeem again so soon after asking him to be his date. He can keep his composure, even though all his mustered courage has betrayed him.
This is fine. Totally fine.
* * *
Things are more than fine at the cafe. Whilst Hakeem is still reeling from being asked to be Eddie’s date, the realization he had in fact kissed Jackson the night prior, and what it could mean if all three of them went to the ball together; Charlie is over the moon to hear of the rampant success of his friend’s love life.
“Leave it all to me, Hakeem, I’ll get you all dolled up for the ball. I feel like a fairy godparent, minus the wand. I know you like them, but they never felt right as a conduit for me. I prefer to accessorize with my magic.” They flash the jewel stud earring they use as a conduit.
“Uh huh,” is all Hakeem can say as he made drinks on auto pilot. His work didn’t suffer but his conversation skills seem to have vanished.
“We can easily adjust that suit you keep around, I have a tailor friend who owes me a favor. Long story, different time, think you met him not sure. Tall, dark, gorgeous, quarter orcish, not half. He has cute little tusks protruding from his lower jaw.”
“Uh huh.”
“I can teach you to dance, at least a waltz and you should survive the evening. Maybe trim and shape that fluffy bush on your head. Are we thinking of glasses or do we want to try contacts for the night?”
“Uh huh”
