Page 17 of Jade Lion and the Witch Boy
“Ex-boyfriend,” I say quickly. “And I have nothing to chat with you about.”
“It seems you are not welcome here,” Kai says. He looks between us, and I notice his muscled-up chest rise and fall. The scowl on his face tells me he’s seconds away from unleashing his claws on Kevin, and a small thrill goes up my spine. This hot dude is defending my honor?
“Like I said, I’m just catching up with my baby, Seb. A lover’s quarrel.” He brushes his hand in the air. “Move along, spring roll.”
My pulse picks up at the sound of a fucking racial slur. The gall of this pathetic man! “My name is not spring roll,” Kai says with a quiet intensity. “But I can certainly escort you out if need be.”
Before Kevin can make another racist remark, several people waltz through the door. A young couple loudly discusses what drinks they want while their three toddlers holler and run around. At the same time, Ashley chooses this moment to return from the kitchen and get on the register. “This family always comes in at this time, so look alive, Seb.” Ashley barely looks at Kevin before turning to the new customers. “Welcome to Brew-Ha. Can I take your order?”
Kevin seems befuddled by the loud children running around, nearly knocking into him, as well as the tall Chinese hunk ready to throw hands. Thank the stars for rowdy customers; our weird conversation has been interrupted. “I’m gonna go.”
“That is for the best,” Kai says, but I’m not sure if Kevin heard, since he’s dashing out of there. He was willing to harass me, but not in front of several strangers? He’s somehow both arrogantanda coward.
I shoot Kai a grateful smile and then get to work making lattes for the young couple speaking to Ashley.
Hours later, Lisbeth insists on letting me go home since I promised I’d do an evening shift tomorrow. She claims it’ll be good for Kai and me to practice solo magic, an endeavor which, so far, hasn’t been possible. Since she and Ashley are staying, no one can drive me, so I’m choosing to forego the bus and take the forty-five-minute walk home. The weather is nice, I’m a young dude, and it’s not like the sun is down yet.
Most importantly, Kai is with me. We walk along the streets of Cosmo, and I try to ignore how romantic it feels. It’s as if the two of us are in our own little bubble, just like when I walked him to the library. I track his gaze when he watches two squirrels scurry past a yard. He also studies the autumn leaves floating down, and I wonder if these sights are all new to him. Hong Kong has urban portions as well as hilly, forested terrain, but it wasn’t like that over a century ago.
I find I want to know everything about the man strolling next to me.
I clear my throat, and he looks at me. I stare at the sidewalk and say, “Look, about earlier with Kevin, he’s a douche.”
“I do not know what a douche is, but he did not seem welcome in your presence.”
I snicker. “It’s a slang term for a terrible person. And he is.”
“Is he your boyfriend?”
“No!” I answer quickly. When I catch his gaze again, his face appears neutral and inquisitive.Cauldrons, of course he’s not jealous. Kai and I are just friends. “He…was.”
“I do not need to know the details.”
“Oh, okay.”
“But you became tense when he was around. He was not someone you wanted to fraternize with, that much I could tell.”
“That’s because he’s not welcome in my life, not anymore. Kevin is…” I scratch my eyebrow and try to find the words. We cross a busy parkway intersection, then make it to another quiet sidewalk. “Kevin is selfish. He gives love when it’s convenient, then leaves when it’s not. I read a book in the library about narcissism, and he is that to a T.”
I chuckle and look down. Beside me, Kai studies me, waiting for me to continue. I clap my hands and say, “I told him we’re done and over with, but now he’s followed me to my work. Typical.”
“I will not let him hurt you.”
My cheeks warm at his chivalrous declaration. “He won’t, not physically. He’s all talk, but, um, thank you, Kai.” I stare into his brown eyes. “For looking out for me.”
“You have welcomed me into your home, into your coven. You are assisting me in getting my memories back. The least I can do is protect you from, as you say, douche people.”
I laugh and shove my hands in my pockets. In the less-than-forty-eight hours I’ve known Kai, he’s made me feel so much better than my ex-boyfriend did. Would it be that awful if Kai and I ended up in a relationship?
I gulp and focus on changing the subject. “So, what dinner are you conjuring up for us tonight?”
Kai grins. “Are you not satisfied with dim sum?”
“Variety is the spice of life, my friend.” We both laugh as we chat about what restaurants I need to show him here inthe twenty-first century. My walk home is usually so long and arduous, it can be annoying. Today, with Kai at my side, I find it’s ending too quickly.
When we’re settled at home, it’s time for one-on-one magic lessons before dinner. I sit next to Kai on the living room couch. I tap my thighs as we awkwardly bask in the silence. What are we supposed to do here? I’ve never done magic without at least one other coven member—let alone some hunky guy who used to be made of stone.
There’s a magnetic pull between us, but I doubt sorcery has anything to do with it.
