Chapter 22
TWENTY-TWO
O nce again, a rainbow explosion of dresses littered Clover’s bedroom floor, each one rejected. Her magic sparked with increasing frustration, causing several garments to float aimlessly through the air like lost spirits seeking redemption.
“No.” She glared at a flowing green sundress. “Too casual.” A burgundy wrap dress floated past. “Too business lunch.” A sparkly silver number twirled hopefully. “Definitely not. I’d blind him before dessert.”
“Oh, honey.” Romi’s voice carried through the cottage, followed by the distinct sound of her cousin dropping what appeared to be an entire boutique’s worth of shopping bags. “This is worse than I thought.”
“I’m fine,” Clover called back, frantically trying to wrangle her magic into behaving. Three dresses had started an impromptu dance routine near the ceiling. “Everything’s under control.”
“Really?” Romi appeared in the doorway, one eyebrow raised as she surveyed the chaos. “Because your magic has that blue dress doing the cha-cha, and I distinctly remember someone else having a similar crisis before her first date with a certain wolf shifter.”
“That’s different. You and Xabir were clearly meant for each other.”
“And you think you and Rook aren’t?” Romi navigated through the fashion disaster zone to perch on the edge of Clover’s bed. “Miss ‘My Magic Literally Purrs When He Walks Into The Room’?”
Heat crept up Clover’s neck. “It does not purr.”
“Your protection wards get all swoony every time he visits the shop.”
“They’re... being friendly.”
“The candles start glowing brighter.”
“That’s a natural reaction to?—”
“The love potion section tries to throw itself at him.”
“Okay, fine!” Clover sank down beside her cousin, deflating slightly. “Maybe my magic has a tiny crush.”
“A tiny crush?” Romi’s laugh filled the room with warmth. “Sweetie, your entire inventory rearranges itself to get his attention. Though I have to say, watching him pretend not to notice while knocking over displays is pretty entertaining.”
“He doesn’t knock things over on purpose.”
“No, he does it because he gets distracted staring at you.” Romi stood, approaching the closet with determination. “Now, let me work my magic. After all, you did help me pick the perfect outfit for my first date with Xabir.”
The memory brought a smile to Clover’s face. “You tried on seventeen dresses.”
“And you made me wear the pinup style one.” Romi’s voice turned muffled as she disappeared into the closet. “Which, by the way, Xabir still talks about.”
“Because it was perfect for you. It made you feel confident without being—” Clover broke off as Romi emerged triumphantly holding a sleek black dress. “Oh no. No, no, no.”
“Oh yes.” Romi’s eyes sparkled. “Remember when I got you this that time we went shopping for my birthday?”
“I tried to stop you from buying it.”
“It’s perfect for you.”
“It’s-”
“I know. You already said it’s ‘too sexy for everyday but perfect for a special occasion.’“
“Romi...”
“It’s been hiding in your closet for three years while you pretend dating doesn’t exist?”
“I haven’t been hiding from dating. I’ve been focused on?—”
“Building your business? Perfecting your magic? Running away from anything resembling emotional vulnerability?” Romi’s expression softened. “Sound familiar? Because I distinctly remember someone telling me not to let fear of what might go wrong stop me from discovering what might go right.”
The words – her own words, thrown back at her now – hit home. Clover stared at the dress, remembering how she’d helped Romi prepare for her first date with Xabir. How nervous her cousin had been, still healing from her divorce, scared to open her heart again.
“It’s not that simple,” Clover whispered.
“Why not?” Romi sat beside her, taking her hand. “Because you’re afraid of getting hurt? Because it’s easier to stay safe and alone than risk finding something real?”
“I saw what happened to you after your divorce.”
“And you saw how happy I am now with Xabir. Because I took a chance. Because my amazing cousin reminded me that sometimes the scariest things are worth the risk.”
Clover’s throat tightened. “What if it goes wrong?”
“What if it goes right?” Romi squeezed her hand. “I’ve seen how he looks at you, Clo. Like you’re something precious and rare. And I’ve seen how you light up around him, even if you try to hide it.”
“I do not light up.”
“Honey, you practically glow. Your magic gets all sparkly.”
Despite herself, Clover laughed. “You’re impossible.”
“I’m right.” Romi held up the black dress. “Now put this on before your magic teaches the whole closet to tango.”
Thirty minutes later, Clover had to admit her cousin’s choice had been perfect. The dress hugged her curves without being overtly sexy, the fabric soft against her skin. Romi had styled her hair in loose waves and applied subtle makeup that made her green eyes pop.
“There.” Romi stepped back, admiring her work. “Now you look like a witch who’s ready to embrace romance instead of running from it.”
“I still don’t know if I can?—”
“Don’t.” Romi’s voice turned serious. “Don’t let fear of what might go wrong stop you from discovering what might go right. Sound familiar?”
Clover’s eyes stung. “Using my own words against me is cheating.”
“No, it’s karma. And speaking of karma...” A knock at the door made them both jump. Clover’s magic immediately surged in recognition of the tiger energy waiting outside.
“Remember,” Romi whispered, gathering her things, “stop thinking and start feeling.” She pressed a quick kiss to Clover’s cheek. “And text me later with all the details!”
“Romi!”
“What? I’m invested now.” Her cousin slipped out the back door with a wink, leaving Clover to face her date alone.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the door – and nearly passed out. Rook filled her doorway like some fantasy come to life, his charcoal suit perfectly tailored to his powerful frame. The way his eyes darkened as he took her in made her magic dance beneath her skin.
“You look...” His voice carried that tiger-deep rumble that never failed to make her pulse skip.
Before she could respond, he pulled her into his arms, claiming her lips in a kiss that had her magic surging to meet his. Her hands found his shoulders as his arms wrapped around her waist, and everything else faded away – all her doubts, all her fears, all her careful walls crumbling under the rightness of being held by him.
When they finally broke apart, she had to grip his jacket to stay upright. “Hi,” she managed.
His answering smile held promises that made her shiver. “Hi, yourself.” His thumb brushed her cheek. “I’ve been thinking about kissing you all day.”
“Just today?”
“Every day.” The simple honesty in his voice made her heart flip. “Ready?”