Page 95 of Should Our Stars Collide

“We saw Gabe, Ellis, and Zeke yesterday. Told Kieran everything.”

“Oh my god,” Dawson exclaims as the picture comes together. He hands Donut to Cal so he can scooch over to Kieran and wrap an arm around his shoulders. “That must be so confusing and freaky. Are you okay?”

Knowing Kieran, he’d probably snap at such a ridiculous question if it came from anyone else. How could anyone be okay in this situation? But coming from Dawson, the question is so full of empathy and concern that Kieran just smiles, his whole face softening like a marshmallow.

“Not really, but I’ll cope.” And then he’s pulling Dawson into a hug. “Good to know at least one thing never changes. Wait.” He pulls back, eyes narrowed. “You don’t have any secret superpowers, do you?”

“Well, I’m great in the kitchen,” Dawson jokes before clasping his hands together. “Oh! I made a little something since I knew you were coming.” He jumps to his feet, scurrying towards the kitchen.

Ash touches Kieran’s shoulder to get his attention. “Okay?”

Kieran’s smile is a little shaky, but he nods. “All good.”

“Let me know if you get overwhelmed. Just say the word and we’ll go home.”

Kieran smirks. “Kombucha?”

“Sure, that works too.” Ash chuckles. Before he can say anything else, a small, round glass container without a lid is pushed into his and Kieran’s hands.

“Tiramisu!” Kieran cheers so hard he nearly drops the thing. He wastes no time snatching the spoon from Dawson and digging in.

“Yeah, go easy. My hand slipped a little when I was adding the amaretto.”

“Even better,” Kieran mumbles through a mouthful.

“Slow down, you’ll give yourself indigestion,” Ash berates fondly. Kieran is a textbook example of ‘love goes through the stomach’.

He might as well shake hands with Cal, who is practically drooling and shooting Dawson pleading glances. Judging by Dawson’s stern expression, Cal’s already had his fill and is just begging for more.

Really, the scariest reaper ever. Everyone should be shaking in their boots.

“So, how did this happen?” Dawson asks when Kieran’s finished eating.

Ash is halfway through his tiramisu, but the hole Kieran is burning into the side of his face makes him hand the rest over. It’s fine, Kieran needs the endorphins.

“It turns out Zeke is a witch and likes to play with his grandma’s grimoire,” Ash answers.

“Zeke?!”

“His energy is very potent, but I never would’ve thought he can manipulate time,” Cal chimes in, completely oblivious to the incredulous stares aimed at him.

“You knew?” Dawson slaps his thigh. “Why didn’t you say anything?!”

“I thought everyone knew,” Cal says, confusion written on his face. “Everyone knows about Gabe.”

Dawson sighs, probably figuring Cal has a point, then looks at Ash. “How comeyoudidn’t know?”

“Zeke didn’t know either.” Apart from seeing people’s thoughts, Ash can also enter their subconsciousness and dig up things that have been buried there for a long time. But that’s the extent of his ability. He can only access knowledge that’s already there. Unlike Cal, he doesn’t see beyond the veil.

“He always claimed to be a witch, though,” Dawson points out.

“He didn’t realize he was right. Just wishful thinking.”

“That’s even worse. Kinda makes you wonder what else he’s been up to without realizing.”

“Let’s hope this was the first time one of his spells actually worked.”

“But what if he starts playing around with it even more, now that he knows?”