Page 122 of Magical Mischief

I stomped a foot in frustration, which only caused the potion to bubble again, letting out another puff of pinkish steam.

It smelled of sugar and mild embarrassment. Possibly also a whiff of thyme, but mostly embarrassment.

Keegan coughed, half-laughing. “So… you were brewing an ex-aversion spell, and now it’s turned into a truth-chatter spell about me?”

“That’s the short version,” I groaned, feeling my cheeks burn so red I was surprised the kitchen walls weren’t catching fire. “Oh, this is… humiliating. That’s another truth. I find you unbelievably distracting, especially with that half-smile thing you do. I’m not trying to flirt, but I can’t stop it now, so yes, you have an amazing smile. Even your jawline is designed well. I’ve noticed your jawbone. Who does that?”

“I’ve noticed yours too,” he offered.

“You have?”

“It’s very lovely.”

We both went still for a moment, the only sounds coming from the pot’s faint gurgle and my heartbeat thundering in my ears. Then Keegan shifted closer, his tone warm but teasing.

“It’s not the worst thing to hear, you know. Might be nice to get direct compliments sometimes.”

“Direct compliments? I’m practically giving you a monologue about how wonderful you are.” My words came outin a rush. “You’re kind and funny, and you have that way of looking at me like you listen, which is super disconcerting but also the reason I keep telling you everything. And you smell really good, which I guess is also something you should know.”

He stood there, letting me ramble on, a grin slowly spreading across his face. “I’m not complaining.”

“Why would you be? I’m your biggest fan.” I threw my hands up.

“I think I’m yours too, Maeve. Although you have a lot of them around town.”

I chuckled. “As if.”

“It’s true. Something about you draws people in, and I didn’t need a truth serum to tell you. You’re an incredible woman.”

“I’m jealous of Bella.” My eyes clenched shut. “Damnit.”

“What? Your magic will get to her level, but it’s different. You must recognize that every magical being has strengths and weaknesses and…”

“Not about her magic.” I pried one eyelid open to see him looking at me. “At how you two are absolutely perfect for one another.”

“Maeve, I’m not looking for perfection.” Keegan’s eyes stayed on mine. “I’m not looking at all.”

I froze, exhaling slowly. “I’m not either. I mean that’s precisely it. I'm just barely divorced, and my head is all over the place, and even though I find you to be the perfect specimen of a man, I’m too scared to even imagine what it would be like to be with someone again. Obviously, I have a lot on my plate. I can’teven get my spell work right, so adding a relationship to that would be…”

He didn’t let me finish and closed the gap between us before he rubbed his thumb softly along my jaw, sending shivers through me.

“Don’t put so much pressure on yourself, Maeve. Time is on our side.”

Our side, as in my side, your side, a we side, us side?Don’t say it, Maeve. Don’t.

“Look, I’m sorry. This was definitely not my plan for the morning.” I shook my head, feeling the spell begin to wear off.

Of course, now that I had embarrassed myself.

Keegan took another tiny step forward, watching me like he was trying to figure out what to do next.

My dad waddled into the kitchen, looked at me, and then Keegan before wandering back out.

“I’m always going to be here for you, Maeve, in any way, shape, or form you need me.”

Those words tingled down my toes, but I kept my gaze on his. “Thank you.”

Keegan cleared his throat. “So, you need help reversing the spell or will it wear off?”