Page 19 of How Not to Hex a Gentleman (Witches of Edinburgh)
Chapter Nineteen
BENNETT
" S o when do I get to meet her?"
It's the weekend and it's been over a week since I walked Kennedy to her door like an awkward teenager on his first date. I'm still not sure what came over me, but everything about Kennedy just makes me feel slightly unhinged. We were supposed to meet up and go to The Witches Well since the girls approved the plan, but she got busy with university work. We texted a few times, but it feels like I suddenly don't know what to say to her.
Lana continues to watch me as she sips her coffee. We're spending Saturday morning in New Town because she desperately wanted Scott's in the Park coffee and to sit and people-watch near the monument. We're waiting for Nicholas to get off the phone now, so we can take a walk in Princes Street Gardens, which is great because I want to take some pictures of the fountain for research purposes.
"I have no idea who you're talking about," I reply to Lana, taking a sip of my own coffee. We're sitting on the outskirts of the outdoor café and there are plenty of people to watch, but Lana's whole attention is on me.
"Don't play pretend, big brother. Nicholas spilled the beans."
I roll my eyes before looking over my shoulder at my friend who's near the edge of the small green space, his phone to his ear. Of course, he had to tell Lana, because he cannot keep anything from his little sister.
"Come on, Bennett. You haven't liked anyone in years! I want to meet her. I bet she'll like me."
"She needs to like me first," I grumble, taking another sip.
"See, I'd be perfect for this. I'm an amazing wingman…woman?" She nods, pleased with herself. "Yes, wingwoman. I can talk you up."
"You can talk, alright," I say, just as Nicholas comes back to the table.
"What are we talking about?" he asks.
I throw a glare his way. "How you can't keep anything to yourself, apparently."
"Lana," Nicholas turns his attention to his sister, "you were supposed to ease into the subject slowly. You know how sensitive he can be."
"I know, I know," Lana sighs dramatically. "He's such a baby, but he has to grow up one day. It's best we push him out of the nest sooner rather than later."
"No wonder you're related. You're both nuts." I take another sip of my coffee, looking out into the throng of people, but I can't hide my pleasure. I adore these two too much to actually be mad at them.
I am concerned that I'm not adorable enough for Kennedy to take down her walls and that's a real problem. There's a lot under that carefully crafted persona and I want to know all about it, but Kennedy won't talk to me about anything except magic research stuff. Honestly, I'm nervous she'll stop talking to me about that too because I haven't been all that helpful so far. It's not like I know how to navigate the magical world. This is my first time being introduced to it.
Maybe I should text her. I have no idea what she's doing today. I wanted to see if we could go to the well, but my plans with Nicholas and Lana were already in place and I felt bad blowing them off. They'd have probably understood, but who knows how Kennedy would feel about it.
I should text her and see, right?
"Hello, Earth to Bennett!" Lana waves her hand in front of my face and I refocus on the girl. She's grinning at me in that way that makes her look even younger than her fifteen years.
"I'm here," I say.
"Are you? Or are you in fantasyland with your one and only?" she asks.
I open my mouth to reply, but then freeze and sit up straight as my eyes meet Kennedy's over Lana's shoulder. She's flanked by Parker and Lily, but my attention is only on her.
Somehow, she looks more beautiful than I remember. Her long hair is falling freely around her shoulders, a dark green scarf is wrapped around her neck, and she's wearing a long black coat. She looks cozy and gorgeous and I suddenly don't know how to speak.
Lana notices my attention and twists in her seat then jerks back to me with a huge grin and jumps up.
"Lana!"
"Oh my gosh, you are gorgeous!" Lana runs right up to Kennedy as if they've known each other for years, grabbing her hand. "Bennett, have you told her how gorgeous she is?"
Kennedy is completely frozen in place and I take two seconds to marvel at the fact that Lana knew exactly who I was looking at between the three girls. Maybe it's just that Nicholas didn't leave anything out when he was spilling my secrets to his sister. I jump to my feet, my face probably bright red as Lana continues chattering.
"Of course not," she says, turning back to the girls. "Excuse him for his very dumb brain. I'm Lana. Bennett's self-appointed baby sister and wingwoman. Tell me, what is it that you look for in a guy?"
Nicholas starts choking as he tries to keep his laugh at bay and I would like the ground to open up and swallow me whole. Parker and Lily are trying to keep the grins off their faces, but they're definitely failing as Kennedy looks up to meet my eyes. Her gaze is different than I expect though, and I think I glimpse amusement in those gorgeous hazel eyes. It's all the encouragement my brain needs to restart itself.
"Excuse her. She has an overactive imagination," I say stepping toward the girls, just as Nicholas stands as well.
"So, you don't think I'm gorgeous?" Kennedy's question stops me in my tracks and the little wicked gleam in her eyes is new and so very attractive.
My brain once again stops working, so it's Nicholas who steps forward.
"Excuse my friend and my sister, they're related by their crazy. I'm Nicholas." He extends his hand but not to Kennedy. To Parker.
The girl looks at it for a moment and then at my friend before narrowing her eyes and linking her arm through Kennedy's elbow. "Parker, this is Kennedy, and that's Lily," she says, raising an eyebrow at Nicholas.
He smirks and then turns his extended hand to Lily because Lana is still holding Kennedy's hand. Lily steps forward, shaking his hand with a smile and a glance at the other girls.
"Nice to meet you," she says. I get my normal motor function back and step up behind Lana, grabbing her by the shoulders and gently moving her away from Kennedy.
"Lana, let go of Kennedy's hand," I say, keeping my voice low, but Lana won't have it.
"Why? We're besties now." She steps out of my grasp and toward Kennedy, taking Lily's spot beside her and looping her arm through Kennedy's other elbow.
"You're from America, right? I was born there, but haven't been back since I was a baby. I'm totally English." She grins, barely pausing for a breath. "Tell me, is it true you can drive for ten hours and still be in the same state? I heard California might fall into the ocean. Is that true? Also, do you like coffee? Did you come to Scott's in the Park for their mocha? It's so good!"
Lily and Parker move away from Kennedy, heading toward the coffee stand.
"I'll get us coffee," Parker calls over her shoulder as I continue to stare at Kennedy.
"Yes to all of the above," Kennedy says, giving Lana one of her rare smiles as she glances down at the girl. The part of my heart that's already in danger of falling moves closer to that cliff as I look at the way she's accepting Lana. Something squeezes inside of my chest as I look at the two of them, and when Kennedy looks up to meet my gaze once more, I'm afraid the cliff edge is long far behind me.
KENNEDY
I was not prepared to see him today. The girls and I decided to practice some of the magic we've been carrying inside of us and the knowledge we've learned from all the research. Nothing about the thistle tattoo just yet, but with Olivia's guidance, we've learned some of the more practical. She has been slowly sharing her knowledge of the mystical, making sure we're feeling comfortable talking about it.
Today, the girls and I came out to get some coffee and walk by the fountain, to see if our magic has any effect on it or vice versa since we haven't been back to it all together since everything happened. There's also apparently a tourist magic shop in New Town that carries a bunch of actual magical items. Olivia told us we should visit.
All of this is nice and good, and Bennett was nowhere in the plans. Especially when his proximity is sending me into a spiral.
He looks so cozy today—there's no other description. Instead of his carefully tailored slacks, button-up shirts, and crewnecks, he's wearing jeans and a hoodie, with a warmer dark jacket thrown over the top. He's like one of those models for one of the luxurious boutiques on George Street, comfortable yet chic. Just like everything else about him, it throws me for a loop.
The girl beside me has completely attached herself to my side, spewing questions that I answer almost automatically.
"I've never been to Texas. They say it's huge. Does everyone wear cowboy hats?"
"No, not everyone." I chuckle as the girls return with the coffees.
I take mine from Lily while Lana keeps her grip on my elbow.
"We're going to walk to the gardens. Do you want to come with us?"
"Lana, they might have plans," Bennett's friend says as he comes back over. I don't miss the way his eyes flick to Parker. Finally, I have something to tease her about. She stops on the other side of me, as far away from him as possible, sipping her coffee quietly. It feels like there's history there, which is surprising considering she's never mentioned knowing anyone but Bennett in the city. The way Nicholas is looking at her though…oh yes, there will definitely be questions later.
"We don't have plans." I nearly burn my tongue as Lily speaks up, a small sparkle in her eyes. Parker and I both turn to her and she shrugs. "Well, our plans included a walk in the park, so we can join."
I'm not exactly sure what Lily is thinking, but Lana does a little hop in place, making her dark curls bounce adorably.
"Perfect! I love the park and I have a million questions."
"Lana, maybe don't overwhelm Kennedy all at once?" Bennett speaks up.
"Okay, fine. I will only overwhelm a little. Shall we?"
Everyone turns toward the direction of the park at once, leaving the coffee stand and the Scott Monument at our backs. Parker and Lily take the lead, with Lana and me in the middle and Bennett and Nicholas behind us. Lana pulls me along, chattering away, and even though I cannot see Bennett, I am so very aware of him that it's distracting.
The weather is nice today, overcast, with little wind, so there are more people out and about. Not that I mind. I feel like the crowds help keep our little group a bit more separated, which helps me breathe a little easier. I'm not sure if that actually makes sense, but my brain is desperate for some kind of sense right now. So I guess I'm making up my own.
"Kennedy," Lana leans a little closer as we cross the street, lowering her voice. I look over at her and notice that the guys are on the other side of the street, separated by the flow of cars. Parker and Lily stop near the entrance to the park, waiting, as I turn my attention to Lana.
"What is it?"
The girl looks a little unsure now and glances over her shoulder once before quickly looking back at me. "I know Bennett can be a lot," she says, keeping her voice low and her words fast, suddenly sounding so much older than her teenage years. It makes me realize I don't know anything about this girl or what drives her, but the serious look in her eyes makes me want to hear everything she has to say. "He's like a hyperactive puppy most of the time, but he has the best heart of anyone I know," she continues. "It's just my brother and me here and Bennett takes care of me like I'm his own sister, without a second thought. My own family—they're not great. And I'm not always…okay. I don't think Nicholas and I would be who we are without Bennett being part of our little family."
"I'm not sure why you're telling me this," I say.
Lana beams. "I don't have much information, just that he's helping you with some school project and he might've broken your suitcase—that wasn't really his fault. I tend to…overact. I'm working on it but I was at Minor Injuries Clinic and Nicholas was out of town. Anyway…" She barely pauses, but my mind is busy processing this new information. Anyone in his position would probably be too distracted to stop for long and even though I don't want it to, my heart softens. I can see they have a close-knit relationship and her words just solidify that fact for me.
"I know he also almost broke your phone," she continues, "so, you might not like him all that much right now, which like, I totally get it. If he broke my phone, or nearly, I'd be quite upset myself, but give him a chance to be your friend. If he offered to help, he will put his whole heart into it, and having Bennett on your side is the best thing that can happen to you. My brother and I should know."
"Are we good?" Nicholas asks coming up and I realize the light has changed and people are moving toward us.
"Yes, we're good," I reply, giving Lana a little conspiratorial wink. "We were just waiting for you slowpokes."
Then, without waiting for a reply I pull Lana with me toward the other girls. Parker gives me a questioning look, but I simply shake my head a little. I need time to process Lana's petition on Bennett's behalf. I can't deny her words because I've seen these parts of Bennett in the weeks I've known him. He has that way about him—where he makes me want to tell him all of my secrets after spending even a few minutes in his presence. He brings comfort, and honestly, that's not exactly something I ever expected to find in another person. Especially since my aunt has continuously warned me away from trusting regular people. I can't deny that Bennett has surprised me every step of the way.
I'm trying so hard to fight against my upbringing. Even now, my mind goes over that last argument, when my aunt told me I would no longer be family if I left for Edinburgh the way I did. The fear in her eyes, the warnings shouted at me as if I would hear them better at that volume. She's so afraid of regular people, of how they react to magic, she has shut herself completely away from it all.
I can't be that person. I can't and I won't. I'm trying—trying to see this experience in a different light. Not through the eyes of my aunt, but through the eyes of possibility. Maybe, just maybe, I can trust myself to start looking at Bennett like that too. Or maybe, if I'm honest with myself, I have already been doing that.