Page 36 of Jimmy

Karey toyed with the strap of her purse. “He doesn’t know me.”

Jimmy doodled on the page of the art book. “I don’t. Is she your girlfriend? I thought you’d sworn off dating for a while.”

Kurt paled. “You’re serious? All that time you spent with Karey, being joined at the hip, and you don’t know her? Jimmy.” He stepped between Jimmy and the counter. “You really don’t know her?”

“I don’t.” He hated the pain he noticed in Karey’s eyes. The hurt she must be feeling resonated to his core. He’d made her ache -- he wasn’t sure how, but he knew to his soul he’d done it.

“She’s your girl.” Kurt frowned, then pinched the bridge of his nose. “Oh, shit. The spell Sarah mentioned has come true.”

“Spell?” He didn’t understand.

Kurt nodded once more. “You and Karey are an item. True and devoted items.”

He shook his head. “Then why don’t I know her?”

Karey balled her hands on the counter. “Okay. I need some air.” She turned on her heel and left the shop.

Watching her go ripped his heart into a million pieces. He didn’t know why, but there was a connection to her. Not just the one Kurt mentioned, but something deeper. He turned to Kurt. “Tell me everything.”

Kurt pointed to Jimmy’s doodle. “I think you need to read this. Trust me.”

Jimmy stared at the doodle and noticed the words at the center of the page.

You love Karey. Look into her eyes. The spell might be over, but the way she holds your heart will never change ~ Jimmy

He frowned. “I signed this?” He didn’t remember doing it. “I did?”

“Yes. You’re the only one who writes that way.” Kurt nudged him. “Go get her. She needs you, and you need her.”

He had a million questions, but he moved on instinct instead of chasing answers, and darted around the counter. He burst out onto the sidewalk and glanced north. He had appointments today, but he didn’t care. He had to find Karey and sort this out. Where would she go? Shit. He had no idea.

He had to find her. “Karey.” His heart ached and he wasn’t sure why.

“I’m right here.” She stood in front of the bench next to the shop steps. “At least you know my name.”

“I do.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “We…”

She put her hand up, interrupting him. “I need you to hear me. I’m not quitting on us. Not at all. I know what I want, and I want you. If that means we take the next thousand years to get back to where we were half an hour ago, then it does. I love you, Jimmy McCreadie. I didn’t think it could happen this fast, but I will take the next thousand years to fall harder for you. If that’s a problem for you, then tell me, but don’t think I’m giving up. I finally found the man I love.”

She loved him. Holy shit. Thank you, God. But why didn’t he remember falling for her?

“So there. That’s it.” She rested her hands on her thighs. “Rebuttal?”

He cupped her jaw in both hands and kissed her. He might not know her, but he had to do this. Had to taste her. The moment his lips touched hers, he knew. No spell required. The memories rushed right back. She belonged to him. He gathered her in his arms and held her. Christ. The warmth of their love, the depth of their devotion to each other washed over him. He’d never let her go.

She balled her hands on his chest but didn’t pull away.

She flowed in his veins. He sucked on her tongue, relishing her taste. When he broke the kiss, she met his gaze. He knew every detail of her face, every freckle on her nose, chips of green in her eyes, the fullness of her lips, and the way she blushed when she smiled.

“Karey.” He caressed her back. “I don’t need a spell to know how much I care about you. I love you, too. I want you to live with me, work with me… be my lover and my forever.”

She crooked her eyebrow. “You remember me?”

“Very much so.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Did you make it up? If you did, I will so not stay here. I don’t want to be a joke.”

“I didn’t make it up. Promise.” He tucked her to his chest and wrapped her legs around his waist, then carried her into the shop straight to his office. He kicked the door shut and placed her on the desk. He rested his forehead on hers. “I know you love when I nip the back of your neck, you dig your ass into me when we sleep, and you wear my shirts better than I do. You’re curvy and perfect and I don’t ever want to lose you.”

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