Chapter 65
Thomas yanked open the door to the Hex. He’d scoured the festival after he returned from assuring Margaret, but no one had seen Nell. The bar was the only other place he could think to check.
“We should have come here first,” complained Taz. “Where else is she gonna go?”
“Her friend’s house.”
But before his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, Nell’s presence enveloped Thomas.
The essence of her warmth and generosity took him off guard.
He swayed, wanting to experience this feeling every day.
Thomas regained his balance and searched the room.
Nell sat alone at the table next to the fireplace, gazing into the flames.
Thomas swallowed the lump in his throat as he watched her. Magical or not, this was the woman he wanted. And he planned to tell her.
“Took you long enough.”
Rowan’s taunt pulled him from his thoughts. Probably a good thing, considering that he was plotting how to convince her to go home with him.
The bartender slid an old-fashioned and a martini glass garnished with a rosemary sprig his way. “She’s been there a while.”
“Get her drunk. That sounds like a great idea,” Taz said.
Thomas raised his hand to magic his sarcastic familiar back to the clinic.
“Don’t,” said Rowan. “He can watch from my pocket.”
The offer startled Thomas, but Taz crawled out of his pocket and onto his shoulder.
Rowan gently reached out and allowed the hedgehog to crawl on his hand before dropping him softly into his own shirt pocket.
Thomas swore the familiar stuck out his tongue at him, but he ignored Taz. He had something important to do.
Taking the drinks, Thomas walked to the table. Nell didn’t notice him at first. Her eyes remained on the fire, studying it as if there were a test on it later. He took the time to gather his thoughts. Thomas needed to make sure he told her exactly what he was feeling. He couldn’t lose her now.
Thomas placed the drinks on the table. Nell’s eyes fluttered as if she was coming out of a trance. She looked up at him, blinking several times before she smiled.
“Hi.”
“Hi.” He pointed at the martini glass. “Rowan thought you might want another one.”
“Smart man.”
“Do you mind if I sit?” He swallowed the lump in his throat and rested his hand on the chair opposite hers. “I owe you an explanation.”
Nell nodded, and relief washed over Thomas. He settled into the chair, determined to get his explanation right.
He inhaled deeply, then spoke. “I’m a wizard.” He paused, waiting to see if she ran screaming from the table.
Instead of freaking out, Nell raised the martini glass to her lips and took a long sip. When she put the glass back on the table, she held his gaze.
“Nothing about this town is normal. Which should scare the crap out of me.” Nell glanced around the room. “But this place feels like home. You feel like home.”
Thomas put his hand over hers. A heat he’d never experienced before shot through his body. From the way Nell’s eyes widened and her body straightened, she felt it too. This connection was right. He knew it.
“Don’t be scared. My magic is strongest with animals.
Others in town have their own specialties.
We are all benefactors of Driftwood Pointe.
But trust me when I say that it is the most normal thing in the world.
That you can see and feel it means Driftwood Pointe wants you here too.
My entire life, I’ve protected this part of my life.
I’m sorry I lied to you. You can ask me anything you want.
I’m an open book.” Thomas’s shoulders relaxed, an unexpected ease settling in.
Nell squeezed his hand. “Is everyone in town… magic or… a wizard… or a witch?”
He leaned back. The words tumbled out easier than he expected. “Most families were at one point. Not everyone has kept up with their skills.”
She snorted. “That explains a few things. I guess I have a lot to learn, huh?”
“I’m happy to help.” He placed his other hand on the table and she took it. “So where does this leave us?”
“How about kissing her?” Taz’s voice boomed from across the bar. “That’s how all the good romances start.”
Thomas was glad the lights were dim so no one could see him blush.
Nell burst out laughing. “I knew that thing could talk!”
“Hey, I’m a hedgehog,” Taz said, indignation clear in his voice. “I have feelings, too! You should really be more sensitive to my emotions now that we’re going to be—”
Thomas magicked Taz back to the clinic before he could finish the statement.
But the corners of Nell’s lips tilted up into a smile. “What exactly are we going to be, I wonder?”
Thomas kept hold of her hands, stood up, and pulled her up next to him. “Whatever you want to be is fine with me. As long as you don’t mind kissing in public.”