Page 105 of Magical Moonbeam

“You wouldn’t answer my texts, and I wanted to ensure…”

I spotted a woman lingering by the hotel, and my teeth ground together in frustration.

“Ensure what?” My hands flew to my hips.

“Celeste’s boyfriend wants to ask for her hand in marriage this summer. Darren asked me for permission.”

It felt like my eyes might bulge out of their sockets. “You?”

He didn’t answer at first. Just stood there under the streetlamp, his expression unreadable in that way it always had been, with his calculated charm and a side of evasion. But then he sighed.

“I thought I should bring it up in person and…”

“Let me guess. Your latest girlfriend wanted to come stare at the witchy stores, and even though you’d never bring your family here, you brought your latest play toy here to pretend you’re not a selfish dingbat.”

Oh, that felt good.

Alex shrugged. “People change.”

“If you say so.”

Alex lifted his brows. “What do you think about Darren? I saw him at the holidays. Seems like a good kid.”

Did you make that assumption before or after you were on all fours barking like the dog you are?

No. Scratch that. I didn’t mean to insult the canine world.

“Hearing you say that doesn’t exactly lift my spirits about the guy.” I stared at my ex, wondering how I ever liked the man.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

I crinkled my nose. “It’s not like you’re the greatest judge of character.”

“Well, I told him it was fine, but to let me talk to you.”

My teeth ground together, and my stomach sank.

“Well, thank you. Consider the conversation complete.” I turned fully to face him again, arms crossed.

His phone buzzed, and I saw the woman lurking in the distance on her phone.

How sweet. She was texting him.

“You should get back to your lady in waiting.”

He winced.

I could see the moment he decided not to argue it, which was almost worse. Because it meant he knew I was right.

“Please don’t come back to this town, and if you do, don’t try to find me to ease your conscience.” And this time, when I turned and walked away, I didn’t need to look over my shoulder.

My mind was swimming. Engaged this summer? Was that something even on Celeste’s radar? The moment I stepped back to the table, the warmth hit me like a balm, with laughter, clanking plates, and the low hum of conversation.

But I could not shake Alex’s words.

Keegan was standing beside our table, slightly turned as if he’d been keeping one eye across the street. His expression softened when he saw me, though concern still tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“You okay?” he asked, voice low enough not to carry over the table’s chatter.