Page 92 of Do You Even Hex, Bro?
I trail off, the memory of abandoning my academic dreams for Kyle still a tender spot.
"Before asshole ex-boyfriend?" Sadie guesses.
Shit, she’s perceptive. "Something like that."
"Well, you're in luck," she says, her tone gentler now. "Stormvale has one of the best Magical Theory departments on the East Coast. Once you're settled, you should talk to Professor Villeneuve about admission. He's the department chair."
Killian's lip curls back at the mention of Villeneuve, but he doesn't say anything. His reaction is still obvious enough to earn a huge eye-roll from Sadie, though.
"Ignore him. He's a crazy conspiracy theorist who thinks Villeneuve is here to hasten in the destruction of the magical world," she says in a wry tone. "He's only the leading scholar on energy transmutation in the Western Hemisphere."
"He's also a manipulative asshole," Killian mutters.
"He helped me," I remind him. "When I needed it most."
Killian's expression softens when he meets my gaze. "I know. But trusting him long-term isn’t the same thing."
Sadie glances between us, clearly sensing the tension. "Anyway," she says, abruptly changing the subject, "I should go make that supply list. And figure out what to charge you for my consultancy services."
"Charge?" Killian repeats incredulously. "You just said you were helping out of the goodness of your heart."
"I said no such thing," Sadie corrects him primly. "I said I'd be relieved not to be your witch on call anymore. That'smotivation, not payment."
"Opportunist," he accuses.
"Businesswoman," she counters. "Besides, my spell worked even better than anyone expected. You should be tipping me. FYI, he can afford it," she says pointedly, glancing at me and jabbing a thumb at Killian over her shoulder with a conspiratorial grin. "His family isloaded. Like, could buy an entire country loaded, and not just one of those little island nation states. That's cheating."
"Yeah, yeah," Killian sighs.
"I'm sure we can work something out," I assure her with a laugh. "Your help is valuable, and I wouldn't expect you to provide it for free."
Sadie beams at me, then shoots Killian a smug look. "See?Sheunderstands how the magical economy works."
"Fine," Killian grumbles. "Just get whatever it takes and send me the bill. If it works, I'll triple it."
"Oh, I certainly will," Sadie promises cheerfully. "Now, I should get going. I have a mushroom harvesting window that closes at sunset." She turns to me, her expression suddenly serious. "I'll be in touch about those supplies. And Regina? If these mutts give you any trouble, call me. Witch bitches have to stick together."
"Thanks," I say with a chuckle. "I'll keep that in mind."
She scribbles her number on a napkin and slides it across the counter to me. "Text me later. We'll do coffee. I'll tell you all the embarrassing stories about Micah you could ever want. Shit he'd rather die than have you hear."
Killian rolls his eyes, but he doesn't protest or even seem genuinely put off by the idea of us striking up a friendship. Interesting. I’ll file that little tidbit away for later under green flags.
"I look forward to it," I say, tucking the napkin into my pocket.
Killian walks her to the door, their bickering continuing all the way down the hall. When he returns, his expression is a comical mixture of annoyance and resignation.
"Sorry about that," he says. "Sadie is..."
"Intense?" I suggest.
"That's one word for it."
"I like her," I say. "She's refreshingly direct."
"That's a diplomatic way of putting it," he sighs, coming to stand beside me. "So... where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?"
His proximity sends a new wave of heat through me, reminding me exactly what we were discussing before Sadie's arrival. But my mind is definitely elsewhere right now.
