Chapter 11 - Nora
I walked down the stairs and froze when I spotted Kaleb in the kitchen. He had his back to me, working on a cup of coffee. I swallowed, knowing I needed to apologize for how I acted toward him yesterday. I knew he was only trying to help, and I’d snapped at him.
I walked into the kitchen and reached for a mug from the rack sitting by the coffee maker. “Morning,” he said, placing his mug down.
I poured myself a cup and turned to him. I leaned against the counter as I clutched my mug tightly. “I need to apologize for yesterday. I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that. Or kicked you in the groin.”
Kaleb shrugged like he hadn’t been bothered. “You were frustrated. I get it. I didn’t take it to heart.”
I shook my head, not wanting it to be okay. “Still, I shouldn’t have yelled at you.”
Kaleb’s smile grew, and his eyes softened.
“Nora, it’s okay. I get it. Jade went through the same emotions when she found out she had magic too.
I can imagine it’s a lot to process. One moment, you’re thinking you’re just a witch without power, and suddenly, the next, you have magic.
It takes time to adjust. You’ve been dealing with a lot of changes. ”
I chewed on my lip and looked down at my hands.
I ran my thumb over the side of the mug.
“I just don’t know what to do…Everyone keeps telling me that I just need to give it time.
But…how can…I just don’t understand.” I looked at him.
“For years…I’ve been without magic. How can it suddenly be here now? It’s unfair. It doesn’t make sense.”
I knew these were questions that Jade had asked herself. I remembered her going over them so many times because it just seemed wild. I never thought I would step into those same shoes only so many months later.
“Do you have any idea how many times I wished I had magic? How many times I wished I could fight, how many times I wished I could prove to everyone that I wasn’t just a witch without a gift? That I was just a witch, but I had nothing to back it up? And I did! I had magic! This entire time!”
Kaleb tilted his head, giving me a sympathetic look. “I can’t imagine what you’re feeling.”
I sighed, wanting to change the subject. I shook my head. “So, are we still going to do that date tonight?”
Kaleb nodded. “Yeah, we can meet there for dinner, unless you’re not feeling up for it.”
I shook my head. “Nope. I’m down.”
“Alright. Well, I have a busy day. I’ll meet you down there tonight.”
Kaleb took another sip of his mug before placing it into the sink.
He was out of the house ten minutes later, and I sat with my coffee.
I stared at my hands, trying to feel what Jade spoke so much about, but I felt nothing.
I didn’t feel anything that I felt the other night, and I was sure it might all have been in my head.
I spent my day at the shelter trying to put everything behind me, or at least put it aside for the day. I cleaned the floors and walked the dogs. I helped feed everyone and did poop pick up. I was doing everything that I could to keep myself busy.
I ended up home a little before four and took a hot shower. I scrubbed every part of my body and grabbed the dress I had hanging in my closet. I slid it on and stared at myself in the mirror. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d dressed up like this. It made my stomach do flips.
“Hey, Nora, you ready?” Kaleb opened my door and stepped inside. He froze as his eyes landed on me, growing a little wide. He looked stunned with his mouth hanging open. “Wow…you look wonderful.”
I blushed. “Thank you.”
“You sure you want to go to a bar wearing that? You’re going to attract a lot of attention.”
“Isn’t that the point? The more people that notice us, the more that this will get around.”
“Well, I want to take you somewhere nice first instead. I made a reservation at the West Point Restaurant.”
My eyes widened. “That’s an expensive place to eat at.”
He nodded. “You deserve to go somewhere nice besides a bar.” He stepped closer. “You’re dressed for it anyway, so why not?”
I swallowed as he stared at me, and I felt it stir something I thought I had shoved down.
I thought of our make-out session in the alleyway.
I had been tempted to ask him about it, but was afraid to find out what he would say.
I wrote it off as both of us wanting something in the moment, and that it wouldn’t happen again, but the look in his eyes right now argued that.
“Are you ready?” I asked, cupping my hands together.
He nodded, seeming to pull himself together. “Yeah, yeah, I’m ready. Let’s go.”
Kaleb drove us downtown and took a left after the bank. I froze as I took in the little Italian restaurant. The park lot was packed, and you could see just as busy it was from the streets. I swallowed, suddenly nervous. I knew people were going to be looking at us.
“You nervous?”
I nodded. “Yeah. It’s been a while since I’ve been to a place this fancy.”
“Really?” Kaleb looked surprised. “How is that?”
I glanced at him. “Kaleb, I think you forgot your sister and me weren’t exactly part of the popular group growing up. That hasn’t changed.”
Kaleb nodded. “Ah, well, I don’t want you to worry about that tonight.”
I smirked. “You are aware of what is going to happen, right? People are going to stare.”
He smiled. “I am. Let them. They are only going to be jealous because we look like the perfect couple.”
I rolled my eyes. “You sound a little full of yourself.”
He chuckled. “No, I just know what I see.”
Kaleb hopped out of the car, and I glanced at the restaurant. I took a deep breath in trying to harden my nerves. The door opened, and Kaleb offered me his hand out of the car. I took it, and we headed inside.
West Point was a beautiful restaurant with large gold chandeliers and a grand piano in the middle of the entire space. Someone was always playing on it, the music echoing around the building.
You could hear low chatter as couples talked together happily. The space was dimmed, leaving the place in a romantic setting.
“We have a reservation,” Kaleb said to the gal running the front. She gave us a tight smile, her eyes landing on me a second longer than Kaleb’s. I could instantly read what was going through her face. Why was he with me?
Kaleb placed his hand in the middle of my back as she pointed us to join her. Kaleb and I followed her, and I could see everyone was looking our way. Couples would stop their conversation and look at us. The woman’s eyes grew wide with wonderment while the man looked utterly confused.
I felt my stomach twist up. I should have expected people would question it rather than just accept it. I was an outcast while Kaleb was beloved by many. I should have known people were going to look at us and talk about how weird it was.
I watched a group of women pause their meal and whisper to one another, no doubt about us. My fingers tightened on my purse, and I suddenly felt like the young teen everyone stared at.
“Here you go,” the gal pointed to a small table that was just a few feet away from the piano. We were practically sitting in the middle of the restaurant. So much for a dark corner where no one could see us.
Kaleb pulled my chair out and pushed me in after I sat down. I looked around, taking in the music and the quiet of the space. “It’s nice in here.”
“It is.” Kaleb sat down, smiling at me.
I could still feel the eyes on me, and I felt my fingers shake as I reached for the menu. Kaleb reached a hand over, placing his on top of mine. “Just ignore everyone else.”
“Easy for you to say, you aren’t the one they are staring at.”
“They are just jealous, remember, we look good.”
I snorted. “You know that isn’t true.”
“Are you sure?” He leaned forward. “Because I see a gorgeous woman with a soft heart for animals. A cranky side when not fed, but a strong heart.”
I blushed.
“And you see a handsome man with bulging biceps and stunningly good looks.”
I started to laugh, a real laugh. I couldn’t help it. Kaleb always had a way of helping me relax, even when I didn’t think it was possible.
“You’re terrible.”
“It helped you relax, and that is all that matters.”
“Hi, I’m Jill. I’ll be your waiter today.” A young woman stopped at our table, giving us a smile. “What can I get you guys to drink tonight?”
“Water,” I said.
“Same,” Kaleb said. “I don’t know about you, Nora, but they make an amazing salmon with a ravioli pasta.”
“That sounds amazing.”
Kaleb looked at the gal. “Two of those.”
The woman smiled before she turned and walked away. Kaleb turned his attention back to me. “So, what shall we discuss?” I smirked.
Kaleb and I talked through the entire meal.
I laughed at his jokes, and Kaleb listened when I talked.
I remembered why I liked him so much to begin with.
He was nice and charming. Kaleb never made me feel bad, even when I was embarrassed.
He always gave me that sweet smile. He was understanding, and by the end of the meal, I felt my heart skipping a beat.
We laughed as we drove, and I almost forgot we were going to the bar as we pulled up. Just like at West Point, there was hardly any parking, so we parked down the block. Kaleb had his arm wrapped around my middle, and I tried to act like it was normal.
“Jesus, it’s cold out here,” he said, shivering.
I chuckled, grateful I had put on some insulated tights to match the dress. “Winter is right around the corner.”
Kaleb opened the door, letting me walk in first. “That it is.”
We both stepped inside to find the bar packed. There was loud music playing from the surround sound. The front of the bar was packed with people. Most of the booths were already taken, and I was questioning where we were going to find a spot to sit.
“I’m not seeing anywhere to sit.”
As I looked around a second time, I realized everyone was staring at us. My stomach dipped just like it had at the restaurant.