Page 78 of Love, Magic and Misfortune
“Then no. Second. Because René did the exact same thing to me on my birthday when I turned twenty-one.”
“Oh gosh.”
“We’d been working together two years? He came over with champagne and—consequently, that was also the day I learned I can’t drink at all. Anyway, long story short, this kind of thing has happened to me before, so…” Jasper shrugged. “I don’t care for it, though. These ambush kisses.”
Violet bit the inside of her lip, wanting to console him but not knowing how. When the water shut off, Violet lifted her face to find him looking back at her.
“Is this normal?” he asked. “People just… kissing you out of the blue? A greeting is one thing, but people don’t talk about it or ask first? They just go for it without even making sure it’s okay?”
Sighing, Violet sat back and folded her arms. “Well, ideally there’s some context or an established relationship. I wouldn’t say your situations are normal, exactly…”
“Porn is the same way.”
Violet choked on her spit. “Ex-Excuse me?”
“Porn.”
“Yeah, I heard you. But how does this relate?”
“Because—well… I tried watching it before. It-It’s online, you know? But it was always really aggressive. People justwentfor it without any discussion. It made me uncomfortable.”
“You have a valid point,” Violet said. “But sex doesn’t have to be like that. It can be any way two people want it to be. Have you ever had sex with someone?”
“No. Just unprovoked kisses. Never on the mouth, though…”
Violet nodded awkwardly, unsure of where to take the conversation. She leaned with her elbows on the table and folded her arms in front of her, looking off toward the multicolor faery lights Simone had hung.
“You have?” Jasper asked quietly.
Violet met his gaze. “Have what?”
“Had sex…”
“Yes.”
“And you enjoy it?”
“I do. I like sex, but I’ve learned that it’s only good for me if I sincerely trust the person I’m with, because it’s a very vulnerable thing. As an expression of love and conviction, it can be beautiful and freeing. It’s our way of singing and dancing, like your pretty birds.”
Jasper snorted. “That’s not what it looks like on those porn sites—”
“Just forget about that. Don’t ever look at that again.”
Laughing, Jasper turned the water back on to continue his dish-washing. After a moment, he spoke, keeping his voice low. “I wonder if… René and Freddie’s reaction to me has something to do with the curse?”
Violet’s expression fell flat. “You think the curse makes beautiful men fall for you?”
“No.” Jasper frowned. “That’s not—I mean the magic. Maybe something in the energy of it appeals to some people?”
She shook her head. “To answer your question, no, Jasper. I think you’re an intelligent and intriguing person with beautiful eyes and a quiet disposition, and they sincerely find you attractive.Of coursethey do.”
Jasper lifted a pot from the sink, avoiding her eyes as he set it in the rack. “Well… thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Focusing on his task, he sighed. “They wouldn’t, though. If they really knew what I was.”
“I know what you are and I’m still friends with you.”
