Page 47 of Meet Cute Magic

That can’t be good.

“It was…” I work to find the right word that will answer her question, but also not break the magical bond I’ve walked into. Fuck it. “It was good.”

“Oh, she’s so gone for him,” Violet says low, turning to Poppy, who gives her a knowing nod and smile.

When I try to tell her she’s out of her mind, that I’m not gone for Jack, my mouth stays shut.

No, no, no.

I do not like Jack Haggerty. That’s impossible. Right? He’s too grumpy for his own good, antisocial, and a nerd.

But he also is nice to me, lately. And I enjoy talking to him and spending time with him.

And he’s also hot. His arms are thick and corded, muscled from carrying big boxes up and down from the storage area, those thick-rimmed glasses are a Clark Kent type of hot, and his messy hair begs for my fingers.

Oh, my fucking god.

I am so into Jack Haggerty.

Just physically, I attempt to console myself. Anything else is just the lingering effects of the bond kiss, making me feel like I might scream if I don’t see him soon. Which I haven’t done because I have been avoiding him like the plague, not that he’s made any effort of his own to see me.

And, if I admit the truth to myself, it makes me a little bummed out. But I knock that pesky revelation out as soon as it enters my mind.

“So, he’s hot,” I say. “I think everyone can admit that.” That feels like a safe response.

“He’s very much your type,” Poppy says.

“Oh, for sure,” Vi says.

“He is—” I start, trying to deny it with a roll of my eyes and failing. Despite my incomplete thought, my sisters glare at me before Violet speaks, ticking items off with her fingers.

“Tall, dark, handsome. Glasses. Hot and built, but in a Clark Kent way. Nerdy as all get out. Probably would let you read all night long while he played video games or whatever. Moves like he’s good in bed, but also probably self-conscious enough not to let it give him an ego.” I fight the tightening of my gut, push down the desire to snap at her for talking about him like that. God, this fucking kiss bond. The jealousy from it is absolutely driving me out of my mind.

The bond wore off, the tiny voice in my head says, but that, too, I toss aside.

“You’re out of your minds,” I say, reaching for what I know to be a good vibes chocolate chip cookie, made to give you the cozy, happy feelings of a cookie fresh out of the oven. I could use some good, cozy vibes.

“Have you guys kissed since?” Poppy questions. I shrug then explain.

“We made out halfway through the week when he helped fix my heater that kicked out again.” Vi lifts an eyebrow. “It was to sate the bond, you idiot.” Oh thank god that the magic didn’t deem that as a lie.

“Sure it was,” Violet says with a smug grin. I roll my eyes but ignore her. “You know, you should hook up with him during your mission.” I shake my head to argue, but Poppy pipes up, clearly on the same page as Vi.

“Who knows, maybe he’ll be your happily ever after. Maybe you always just needed some grand adventure to find your prince. Isn’t that what happens in your books?” Poppy asks, sitting back with a cookie of her own. I nod.

And she’s right.

I do need an adventure to find love. But not because of the reasons they think. I’m lost in that thought when Vi tosses my world upside down once again.

“Have you felt him jack off yet?”

My body stills. “What?”

She looks from Poppy to me, then tips her head to the side. “Have you felt him jack off?” she repeats, humor in the words this time.

“Why… why would I feel him jack off? I just told you we kissed a bunch to wane off the kiss bond, but that’s it.” Silence fills the room and my heart skips a beat again. “Vi?” Unlike me, Violet once had a kiss bond before, the brother of a witch friend of our cousins, who had no magic, just to see what would happen. She said it was fun and wore off in about a week, but that’s all I know about the experience.

“Well, when you have the kiss bond, any intense emotions you have, you both feel.” My heart feels like it’s slowing down. “So, like, if you’re really stressed, he feels it.” I remember how he came in already concerned when I was struggling with the heater, almost like he knew it was happening. “Same thing if you’re turned on. If he were to jack off, you would have felt a rush of lust or need.” I stare at her, slightly panicking as I remember my own self-care moment.