Page 35 of Jimmy

“About now. So?” He didn’t need the spell to know he cared about Karey. He wouldn’t have hired her if he had doubts.

“When the spell ends, you’ll forget about her. You’ll forget about each other unless you really love her and tell her so.” Sarah stomped her foot. “Do you love her?”

“It’s pretty quick.” He did have strong feelings for her. Was it love? He cared for Karey more than he ever did for his wife, but the speed and the threat of the spell annoyed him. “You’re sure she’ll forget me? She works for me.”

“She won’t forget you. You’ll forget her -- unless you tell her you love her, and she returns your love.”

“That’s ridiculous. Why hasn’t she mentioned this?” She should’ve told him, not let Sarah do it.

“Because she’s probably scared. She’s never been in love before, and she probably is with you, but it’s freaky. It’s a big change, and what if you don’t love her in return? She’d be crushed.” She rolled her eyes. “Look, if there is a chance that you love her and she loves you and you tell her so, even if it’s fast, then this spell won’t matter. If there’s not even a chance you love her and she loves you, then you’ll be strangers.”

“She won’t know me then?”

“If there’s no love, then she won’t.”

He closed the tattoo art book. “Will I know it’s happening?” He wasn’t about to lose Karey. She meant too much to him to let go. “Will I remember her at all?”

“The spell works for seven days. If it’s meant for you to be -- you and her -- then you’ll come back together. If not, then you won’t. I can’t guarantee you won’t forget who she is, but I know damn well there’s something special between you. Don’t give up. But will you forget her completely? I don’t know. It might be a dream feeling or it might be that you simply are face blind to her. I’ve never done the spell before. I don’t know what will happen. I mean, I saw it and thought it had such a silly name, the spell, that I thought it was a lark. But then we did it, and you found Karey.”

“What’s the spell called?”

“Summon a Bad Boy.”

He looked bad to some and was considered bad by others, but he wasn’t a bad guy. “Nice name.”

“I didn’t think it’d work.” She shrugged. “Look, if you feel strange and she doesn’t look familiar, then give her a chance to talk to you. Let your heart guide you, okay? If you’re meant to be together, then you’re set.”

“If not?”

“Then you’re not going to know her.” She rapped her knuckles on the counter. “I need to go. Mandy thinks she found true love, and it’s only day two. Let me know how it goes. Kurt has my digits.” She left him in the store in stunned silence.

There was too much to comprehend in what Sarah had said. He’d know about the spell and some of the limits, but not knowing Karey at all? What if he didn’t recognize her at all? Would his heart forget her? He jotted a note on a page of the art book. He’d have to remember her.

Had to.

His happiness depended on it.

He kept the page open, then switched on the music. The silence bothered him. The joint needed music.

The bell dinged, and a woman carried two white paper bags into the shop. “You’ll never believe the rush at Bob’s Sub Shop. The line was crazy.” She placed the bags on the counter. “Are you okay? I brought lunch like Kurt wanted.”

He stared at her. “You did?”

“Yeah… because Kurt asked.” She tensed. “Jimmy?”

He didn’t answer her. She knew him, but he had no idea who she was and why she’d brought lunch.

“Jimmy?” she repeated. Her eyes widened, and she backed away from him. “You don’t remember me.”

“No, I’m afraid I don’t.” He wished he did. She was cute. “We’ve met?”

She nodded. “We have. I’m Karey.”

“Karey?” The name didn’t ring a bell. “I’m sorry. Are you scheduled for a tattoo this afternoon?”

Kurt ventured out of the back room. “Ah, good. Food. Thanks, Karey. You’re the best.” He picked up one of the bags, then paused. “I missed something. Are you having a lovers’ spat? Did she get the fixin’s wrong? I mean, you’ll live if you don’t have banana peppers.”

God. Kurt could babble sometimes.

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