Page 39 of Magical Melee

Keegan’s eyes darkened, but instead of snapping back, he offered me a faint, infuriatingly charming smile. “You’re relentless, aren’t you?”

“Call it a gift,” I shot back, refusing to let him dodge the question. “And again, you started it with that picture.”

His gaze lingered on me a moment longer, and then he chuckled, low and quiet. “Stubbornness. Just like your father.”

The comment caught me off guard, and my frustration wavered. “You knew my dad well?”

He looked away, his expression unreadable. “Well enough. I was ten when…”

He didn’t finish the words. Silence settled over the table as I tried to piece together what that could mean. Keegan seemed perfectly content to let it hang, sipping his water and glancing out at the street, watching the passersby as if we were discussing the weather. But just as I opened my mouth to press him further, he changed the subject.

“So, did you and Skye enjoy your knitting class?”

I blinked, surprised by the abrupt shift. “It was… nice. Lighthearted, which was exactly what I needed. But I feel like there’s something more for me here.”

His lips quirked into a smile that was both charming and maddeningly evasive. “Maybe it’s all you need, though. Sometimes, it’s better to let things unfold at their own pace.”

I exhaled sharply, trying to keep my patience. “That’s easy for you to say. You know exactly what’s going on. You get to stay here and just… be part of it. You are part of something. You run a hotel. You own a hotel. I own nothing other than the clothes on my back and whatever I managed to stuff in a storage unit.” I let out a soft sigh. “My daughter’s off at college, and my life is starting completely over. Maybe I just need a little magic.”

“And you think this tourist trap of a place could provide that?”

I shrugged. “Maybe Stella’s hiring, or maybe your hotel needs an extra housekeeper. Who knows? All I know is that in two days, the place I thought I’d grow old in will no longer be mine, and I reserved some random B&B to stay in while I figure out what to do with my life.”

“I’m sorry, Maeve.” He shook his head. “I never expected…”

“What?”

“I never expected you to return to this town.” He shoved his fingers through his hair. “If you like it here, maybe we can see what we can do.”

I didn’t know whether to be flattered or annoyed.

“Well, I don’t know what I want. I’m just saying, I’m overwhelmed, and this place provides me with a little…hope.”

A flicker of something heavy crossed his face. “You might find that digging too deep brings up things you’re not ready for.”

“I’m not digging at all. You brought me the picture.” I clenched my jaw, feeling the conversation slipping through my fingers like sand. Just as I was about to fire back, the server arrived, setting down two plates in front of us.

“Thank you,” I told her with a smile as I tried to shake off the frustration.

Keegan watched me with a hint of amusement, clearly finding some enjoyment in my irritation. “So, Maeve,” he said, his tone suddenly light, almost playful, “you don’t strike me as the type to let things go easily.”

“Is that a problem?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Not at all,” he replied, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips. “But in Stonewick, it can lead you places you didn’t intend to go.”

“Like in the middle of the night, for instance?”

His smile grew. “Yes. In the middle of the night, for instance.”

For a moment, I felt a spark of something—interest, curiosity, maybe even a bit of attraction. His face softened, and the intensity in his eyes made me feel like he was finally seeing me, understanding the restless pull I felt in this town. But just as quickly, he pulled back, his gaze turning cold and distant.

I leaned forward, exasperated. “Do you do this on purpose?”

“Do what?”

“This hot-and-cold thing,” I said, waving my fork in his direction. “One second, you’re flirting, and the next, you’re pushing me away. It’s enough to drive someone mad.”

“I don’t flirt.” His smile faded, and he looked down, fiddling with his spoon. “It’s not intentional, Maeve. But sometimes, it’s best to keep a little distance. Especially in a place like Stonewick.”