Page 18 of With the Potion in the Courtyard

I chuckled. "Or maybe goodnight?"

"Could be." His thumb brushed over my hand in a comforting rhythm.

More time passed. Robbie told me about his friends back home. He often had dinner at various friend’s houses, but he was always the odd man out. He didn’t mind being the only person in his circle not in a relationship, but it got lonely sometimes.

I admitted the same. I liked having my space and independence since my daughter moved out, but this new life was lonely in its own way. It’s not like I’d rather be with the wrong person, but sometimes I wanted to fill the silence in my home with another person.

When we finished talking, I felt like we’d come to an understanding. Neither of us needed another person in our life, but both of us wanted someone. The right someone.

"Guess it's time we head back, huh?" he asked, sounding regretful.

"Yeah." I sighed, not wanting this moment to end. But as much as the magic of the meadow beckoned us to stay, reality waited on the other side of the portal.

"Got your stone?" Robbie asked, already sitting up.

"Yep," I answered, patting my pocket where the smooth stone rested. We stood up, dusting ourselves off, and picked up the remains of the picnic and blanket.

I pulled the stone out. With a deep breath, I activated it, focusing on the familiar surroundings of the academy. It was hard for a moment, with all this perfection around me, but I forced myself to focus. To go back home.

The world twisted for a second, then settled. We were back in the portal room, the dim light greeting us like an old friend. I looked up at Robbie. Our smiles met, speaking volumes without a single word.

"Goodnight," he said, his voice soft but filled with something new, something promising.

"Goodnight." Myheart skipped a beat.

Then he kissed me. It wasn't just any kiss. This was a kiss that imprinted memories, that promised more. A kiss that sealed the connection we'd discovered in a meadow under a sunset sky.

When we finally parted, we were both breathing a little faster.

"See you tomorrow," I whispered.

"Tomorrow," he said, and with one last smile, he turned and left.

Standing there, I touched my lips, still feeling the warmth of his kiss. I closed my eyes for a moment, allowing myself to believe that starting over might just lead to something beautiful. Heck, it had already led to something beautiful.

I headed back to my room and closed the door behind me, the corners of my mouth still turned up in a smile. There was a lightness in my chest, like I'd swallowed a bubble of pure joy.

"Mom's home." Tilly and Simon came trotting over, their tails up like little flags. They circled around my ankles, purring like tiny engines. I picked them up, one in each arm, and made my way to the bed.

Their toy, the one showing the outside world, had turned off long ago. The handy thing had come with a timer, so it was just me, and them, in my quiet room.

"Guess what, you two," I whispered as I settled down with them. "I had a date. A real, magical date." It was silly talking to my cats about it, but there was no one else I wanted to share this moment with. They nuzzled against my hands, their eyes half-closed with contentment.

I lay back, the soft pillow cradling my head, and replayed the evening in my mind. The colors of the sunset, the taste of the food Robbie brought, the sound of his laugh, the feel of his hand in mine. Every detail was vivid, full of wonder.

Tilly purred louder and nestled her head under my chin. Simon stretched out beside me, his paw resting on my arm. In their warmth and the quiet of my room, I felt a sense of hope blooming inside me. Maybe starting over in my forties wasn't so bad after all. Maybe it was just the beginning of something wonderful.

CHAPTER EIGHT

We satdown with our trays in the Godmother dining hall, sunlight streaming through the tall windows and casting rainbows on our table. The chandeliers' warm light bounced off the polished silverware, and somewhere a fireplace crackled, but my mind wasn't on the ambiance. I kept glancing at the ornate clock above the mantle.

"Jessie," I said, keeping my voice low, "we've given it enough time, don't you think? We should check out the potion's classroom soon. Today."

She nodded, her brown eyes serious beneath her messy bun. "Text me the second Ms. Ingow leaves. I'll be nearby."

"Got it." My reply was short, to the point. No need for fancy words; we knew what we had to do.

Robbie poked at his eggs and then looked up, his face determined. "We're going in broad daylight," he said matter-of-factly. "Act like you belong, and no one questions you. Middle of the night is just asking to get caught."