Page 89 of Meet Cute Magic

“Bright Idea Scones.” I continue flipping through, referencing my sister’s lemon scones that bring someone’s best ideas to the forefront of their mind. “Why did you do this?” I ask finally. He steps closer, still not touching me, though suddenly, I want him to. I want that familiar comfort of his calloused fingertips on my cheek, want his arms around me, holding me together.

“Because I love you, Rosemary Mayfield,” he says, whisper-soft. “I love you, and it has nothing to do with magic or kiss bonds or a curse. It’s you. It’s always been you. I’ve been blind, and you’ve been scared, but I’m not letting anything get in the way of something this perfect. It would be disrespectful to the magic of love if we didn’t take this opportunity.” He moves closer still, so we’re just inches apart. “So finish the potion. Break the curse. And when you forget it all, this will help you remember where we left off.”

“You’re not here to stop me from finishing the potion?”

He shakes his head and smiles before stepping closer. “I don’t want you to live with that fear over your head, even if I know down to my bones I’m going to live the rest of my life with my hand in yours. If we have to start this from scratch, we will, but I’m going to spend all of my nights with you, your head in my lap while I play a game and you read. You’re going to help me when I get overwhelmed with people, and I’m going to fix the heater every time it breaks. We’re going to that club and getting drunk and chatting with everyone there. We’re going on a holiday hayride, and when you’re too cold, you’re going to snuggle into me. We’re going to get our happily ever after, Rosie, even if the pathway is a little windy.”

With his words, the tears start falling in earnest, my emotions, which have been on edge, no longer able to handle this much… beauty. This love, so bright and clear, genuine and warm.

“No, no, Rosie. No tears,” he whispers, then reaches out for me. But before he touches me, his hand hesitates, unsure if that’s allowed. A full sob leaves my chest then as I move into his arms, letting him wrap me up tightly, rocking me as I cry into his chest.

It’s not sadness.

It’s not anger or disappointment or even heartbreak.

It’s a relief.

Utter and total relief from so many fronts, I don’t know how to handle this.

Relief that Jack is here.

Relief that he did whatever he thought he could to make both of us happy, to help me break the curse, but keep the memories we both value.

The alarm goes off then.

“That’s the alarm,” I whisper, my heart pounding, not wanting to leave this moment just yet. “Phillip’s potion is done.” He nods, the smallest hint of sadness reflected in his eyes.

“One more minute,” he whispers. “Let me kiss you once before we start over.” I nod, my heart pounding as he leans down. When his lips are just millimeters from mine, though, I hear it.

“This is done, right?”

CHAPTER 32

Jack

Halloween

She isn’t screaming at me.

She didn’t tell me to leave.

She cried, but I think it was in a relieved way, a good way.

This is going to work out. We’re going to be okay. I had a backup plan if needed, of leaving town and then returning after the curse was broken, then winning her back with our fresh slate, but I definitely prefer things to work out this way.

This way, I get to kiss Rosie again, and I get to enjoy her one last time before the uncertainty of the curse breaking sets in.

“This is done, right?” an all too familiar voice says.

My head snaps to the dining table, where my grandfather grabs the familiar silver flask and throws it back with vigor.

“Phillip, no!” Rosie shouts in panic, fingers digging into my arms.

I stare at the ghostly figure, trying to understand what just happened before he lets out the loudest burp I’ve ever heard.

A ghost just drank a potion.

And my witch of a… girlfriend? Is staring at him, a mix of completely terrified and wildly angry.