Page 142 of Mistaken Magic

He'dbeen accepted, and while it was subtle, a lot of people still noticed.Aspenclaimed the chair on his other side, pinning him between us.Hawkeclaimed the other one beside me, leavingTorianstraight across from us andWilderbesideAspen.Evenmore shocking, the guys actually talked to each other.Allof them!

Butthe fun couldn't last forever.Eventually, the night grew late, my bird had to be flown, andAspencaught me in theatrium.WhenJackreturned to land on my shoulder, we both agreed it was late enough to just head up.Shesent off a text, then grabbed my arm.Linkedlike that, we headed for the elevator.

"So,Imay have just leftKeirwithTorian,"Aspengiggled. "Don'tjudge me."

Igasped. "Thatis not going to go well."

Aspenshrugged. "Iknow.Ithink it's funny.Tor'snot used to anyone who won't kiss his ass.Youdon't.Keirdoesn't.It'sa new experience for him."

"Yourbrother is a self-absorbed prick at times,"Itold her.

"Mhm," she agreed, punching the button to take us to the fourth floor.

Whenwe reached her room,Jackwas off again.Hehad his food and water out waiting for him, andIwas pretty sure while cake was tasty, that wasn't the same as nutritious.Lettingout a relieved sigh, one filled with a week of nerves and anxiety,Iflopped backwards onto her bed.

"Youknow,I'mglad you all like him,"Ibreathed.

"Keir?" she asked.

Ipointed toward the open bathroom door that led to my side of the suite. "Jack."ThenIlet my arm drop. "SpeakingofKeirthough, um...Hekinda kissed me."

Herreaction was not at all whatIexpected. "Yeah?" she gasped, dropping down to sit by my hip. "Sinceyou were still with him,I'massuming he's not in shit for that?"

"ButamI?"Iasked, reaching out to take her hand. "Idon't want to mess this thing up with you."

Sheleaned in and kissed me, shifting to brace a hand over my shoulder. "Howmany times doIhave to say it's ok?"

"Justtell me again?"Ibegged. "Thisis me needing a lot of reassurance because you're my first girlfriend, and guys are just easier sinceIknow what they expect, andIfeel likeI'mmakinga mess of it.Today'ssupposed to be a good day, soI'mover here terrifiedI'vemessed up."

"I'veknown you likeKeir," she assured me. "Ihaven't missed that he likes you.Ilike knowing you have a guy out there, outside this room, who makes you happy.Ireally like how he makes you smile, and that you feel comfortable with him."

"Butwhat about us?"Iasked, watching her face for any sign she was picking her words too carefully.

Sheshifted to lie down against my shoulder. "Ithink you're the prettiest girlI'veever seen," she told me. "Thefirst timeIsaw you in the atrium,Iwas completely entranced.You'relike midnight, all cool and calm but filled with hidden secrets.Ithought there was no way someone so perfect could even notice me, but you did.Andthe plants noticed you.There'sa feeling that comes with being around you, like power but so different, andIcouldn't stop thinking about it."Shelifted her chin to look up at me. "Ithought you were important,Rain.Inever assumed you'd care about me."

"Ido,"Ipromised, curling into her. "Aspen, you really are my best friend, but so much more.Icould spend hours here, all alone with you, and not miss anything else."

"ExceptKeir," she teased. "WhatI'msaying is we're fine."Thenshe stretched to kiss my lips. "Ilike it when you're happy.Idon't like you worrying about this, butI'mhappy for you.Keir'sa good boyfriend."

"Boyfriend?"Igasped. "Itwas a kiss!"

Shejust giggled, squirming a little closer. "Howdoes a guy kiss anyway?"

"Mm, hard,"Itold her. "Allstrong and powerful, even when they don't mean to.Youkiss like velvet, and he kisses like steel."

"Blech," she mumbled, sticking her tongue out to make the point. "Ilike velvet then."Butthe smile would not leave her face. "So, how did it happen?Tellme everything!"

Witha groan,Irelaxed back into her pillow. "We'djust gotten out of the gym when our tablets both went off.Grades, you know?Sohe checked, andIwas so nervous.Iwas sure all of this was too good to be true, andI'dend up failing out or something.Then, whenIsaw how wellIdid?"Ilooked over at her. "AndI'venever made grades that good before!"

"Iknow," she gasped. "Meeither, butIthink it was all the studying.Imean,Inormally don't care, because it's not like they'll kick me out, butIwanted to make sure you didn't feel weird about it."

"That..."Ireached over and tickled her side. "Aspen, stop being so cute."

"Never!" she swore. "So?Whatnext?"

"Well,"Isaid, picking up my story again, "Iwas excited, soIthrew my arms around his neck and hugged him.Youknow, kinda like you did to me whenIcame in the dining hall?Andhe hugged back, picking me almost off the ground.Andhis arms are so strong!Like, rocks, you know?It'skinda hot."

"He'spretty," she agreed. "Butyou can have all the rocks."

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