3. Serena
3
SERENA
T he familiar tinkle of the bell above the Cauldron & Cup's door wrapped around Serena like a warm hug as she stepped inside. As she made her way toward the counter, the scent of coffee and magic followed her. Suddenly, memories of late nights studying potions recipes while Nina coached her came rushing back.
"Look who finally came home!" Nina's hands paused mid-air, a floating teacup freezing in its trajectory. Her constellation-speckled apron twinkled as she rushed around the counter.
"Nina!" Serena melted into the older witch's embrace. "I've missed your Dragon's Breath Hot Chocolate."
"And your potions lessons?" Nina pulled back, her eyes crinkling. "You were my best student."
"Until I nearly blew up your vintage espresso machine."
"Water under the bridge, dear." Nina waved her hand, purple sparks dancing from her fingers. "The usual for both of you?"
The menu board above the counter shifted, chalk letters rearranging themselves into new specials.
Julie nodded. "What about those amazing roast beef sandwiches?"
"Coming right up," Nina replied with a warm smile.
Serena and Julie soon settled at a corner table beneath floating lanterns that cast a red glow over their faces.
"So," Julie said between bites of her sandwich, "have you given any thought to what you'll do? Since the vet clinics aren't hiring?"
Serena watched a teaspoon stir her drink on its own. "I might have to look for something else. Which sucks because-"
"Because animals are your life," Julie finished. "But maybe there's another way to use your skills?
"Right now, I can barely organize my moving boxes." Serena's sandwich remained untouched. "Let alone figure out how to use my skills creatively."
"You're being too hard on yourself." Julie's water glass frosted over at her touch. "Remember when you saved Mrs. Henderson's cat with that healing potion you invented? Nobody else could figure out what was wrong with it."
"That was before everything fell apart." The warm atmosphere of the café suddenly felt stifling. "Before I realized how spectacularly bad I am at making life decisions."
"One failed marriage doesn't mean you're bad at making decisions. It means some things just weren’t meant to be."
The bell's melodic chime drew Serena's attention to the door, and her heart stumbled. Logan Steele filled the doorframe, his dark hair windswept as if he'd been working outside all morning. The years had been unfairly kind to him - he'd grown more rugged, more solid.
Serena's sandwich suddenly became fascinating. "Oh no."
"Oh yes," Julie whispered, a grin spreading across her face.
"Don't you dare wave him over."
"I wouldn't dream of it." Julie's innocent tone didn't match her mischievous expression.
Serena peeked up briefly. Logan leaned against the counter, speaking in hushed tones to Nina. His forearms - corded with muscle and bearing fresh scratches - rested on the worn wood. His plain black t-shirt stretched across his shoulders as he gestured with one hand, clearly explaining something with intensity.
"Stop staring," Julie murmured.
"I'm not staring. I'm... observing."
Nina's hands danced through the air as she talked with Logan, purple sparks trailing from her fingertips. Whatever they discussed had her excited - or concerned.
"I should go," Serena whispered, pushing her chair back. "Before he-"
"If you duck out now, you'll knock over that floating tea tray behind you," Julie pointed out. "And then he'll definitely notice you."
Serena froze. Sure enough, a tray loaded with steaming cups hovered just behind her chair, waiting to deliver its cargo to another table. She sank back down, trapped.
"This is karma, isn't it?" Serena adjusted her glasses. "For that time I turned down your brother by pretending to be allergic to water witches?"
"First of all, that was hilarious. Second, you're just going to have to face him eventually. Saltwater Grove isn't that big."
Serena pretended to be absorbed in her sandwich. But she watched Nina and Logan from the corner of her eye.
"Your neck's going to cramp if you keep sitting like that," Julie whispered.
"I'm not sitting like anything." Serena straightened. "I'm eating lunch."
"That same piece you've been holding for the past five minutes?"
Heat crept up Serena's neck. She set down her sandwich. "I just want to know what they're talking about. Nina seems worked up about something."
"Mm-hmm." Julie's knowing smile made Serena want to hex her. "Nothing to do with the way Logan's forearms flex when he gestures?"
"I hadn't noticed." The lie tasted worse than a failed healing potion.
Nina's voice rose slightly, carrying across the café. "I have the perfect solution. She's brilliant with both potions and animals..."
Serena's stomach dropped as Nina gestured in her direction. Logan's head turned. Those gold-flecked brown eyes widened as they met hers. The surprise on his face matched what she felt - like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over her head.
"Oh god," Serena muttered, fumbling with her napkin. Logan quickly turned back to his conversation with Nina.
Despite Serena's best efforts, her gaze kept drifting to Logan. He'd lean in to listen to Nina, then glance her way again, running a hand through his messy dark hair. The gesture was so familiar it made her chest ache.
"He's looking over here."
"You're looking back," Julie pointed out.
"Maybe if I slide under the table..."
"And what? Live there forever?" Julie snorted. "Besides, he's coming over."
"What?" Serena's head snapped up. Sure enough, Logan had pushed away from the counter. He took two steps in their direction, hesitated, then pretended to be very interested in the floating menu board.
"This is ridiculous," Serena whispered. "We're adults. Why are we acting like teenagers at a school dance?"
"Because it's more fun this way?" Julie grinned. "Oh look, he's trying again."
Logan had indeed started toward their table once more. He cleared his throat as he approached. Serena's heart hammered against her ribs as she fiddled with her napkin.
"Hey Serena." His voice carried the same warm roughness she remembered. "Julie."
Julie kicked Serena under the table. "Hi Logan," Julie said too cheerfully.
"Hi," Serena said sheepishly. "You look... good." The words tumbled out before she could stop them.
A half-smile tugged at his mouth. "You too. Welcome back."
"Thanks." She gestured to the chair across from her. "Want to join us?"
He slid into the seat, and Serena caught a whiff of sawdust and pine needles. "How's life been treating you?"
"I finished vet school." She twisted a loose strand of hair around her finger. "Then worked at a clinic in the city until recently."
"Until the divorce," Julie supplied helpfully. Serena shot her a look.
Logan's eyebrows lifted slightly. "Oh. I'm sorry to hear that."
"Don't be. It was for the best." Serena waved her hand dismissively. "What about you? Julie mentioned something about a wildlife sanctuary?"
His eyes lit up, gold flecks catching the lantern light. "Built it myself after... well, a while back. We take in injured wildlife, rehabilitate them. Some magical creatures too, when they need help."
"That's amazing." The genuine admiration in her voice surprised her. "Always knew you had a soft spot for animals."
"Remember when he rescued that baby raccoon from Mrs. Peterson's chimney?" Julie grinned.
"And it wouldn't leave him alone for weeks?" Serena found herself smiling at the memory. "Followed him everywhere."
Logan rubbed the back of his neck, cheeks flushing. "Yeah, well. Speaking of which, I should head back. Got a few patients that need checking on."
He stood, his chair scraping against the floor. "It was good seeing you, Serena."
"You too, Logan."
She watched him leave, the bell's melodic chime marking his exit. The scent of pine lingered, mixing with the café's magical atmosphere in a way that made her chest ache with nostalgia.
"Well," Julie said, "that wasn't completely awkward."
"Yeah, sure." Serena muttered. "I can't believe you brought up the divorce."
Serena watched as a floating teacup pirouetted past their table, the steam forming little hearts that dissipated in the air. She wished she could disappear as easily as that steam.
"You have to admit," Julie said, stirring her drink with a wave of her finger, "he's filled out nicely. Those arms? Come on."
"Can you not?" Serena adjusted her glasses. "I mean, yes, the sanctuary thing is impressive. It suits him. But that's it."
"That's it?" Julie raised an eyebrow. "The way you two were looking at each other, I thought Nina's lanterns might burst."
"We weren't-" Serena paused as Nina sent a plate of cookies floating their way. "Okay, maybe I looked. A little. But it doesn't matter. I'm forever done with relationships."
"Forever? That's a long time."
"My track record speaks for itself." Serena picked up a cookie, examining it rather than eating it. "I thought Richard was perfect, and look how that turned out. Before that, Logan and I imploded spectacularly. I clearly have terrible judgment when it comes to men."
Julie snorted. "Logan was different. You were both young and stupid. He wanted to stay here, you wanted to go to vet school..."
"And neither of us knew how to compromise." The cookie crumbled in Serena's fingers. "Besides, that's ancient history. We're different people now."
"Exactly! Different, more mature people who might-"
"No." Serena pointed her cookie at Julie. "Don't even finish that thought. I need to focus on rebuilding my life, not complicating it with ex-boyfriend drama. Even if he did look unfairly good in that t-shirt."
"Ha! So you did notice."
"I have eyes, Julie." Serena finally bit into her cookie. "But I also have common sense. Ex-boyfriends are ex for a reason."
"Fine, fine." Julie raised her hands in surrender. "But when you two inevitably fall back in love, I expect to be maid of honor."
"I'm hexing you with hiccups the next time you sleep."
"Worth it." Julie grinned. "Your cheeks still get all pink when you talk about him."
Serena touched her face, feeling the warmth there. "They do not. It's just... warm in here. Nina's lanterns are extra bright today."
"Mm-hmm. Keep telling yourself that."