Page 35 of Spellbound
She gasped. “Am not.”
“She is.” I gave her ashut itstare, then turned toward Viktor. “Maddox has gone to help Felix with—oh, wait.” I noticed Craig walking up the path. “Look who’s turned up finally. It’s Nai’s crush.” I smirked. “They both like each other, but they won’t admit it to the other, so we’ve all been stuck watching the same season for the last four years.”
Naomi whipped her head around, then turned back to face me, her cheeks darker. “Don’t, Elle. Please,” she whispered. “He doesn’t like me in that way, and—” She looked behind her. “He’s coming. Shush, don’t say a word.”
Viktor and I exchanged amused looks as Craig approached us. His black hair was tied back into a knot at the back of his head, and his bright-amber eyes matched his robes. His thin lips stretched into a smile when he saw me. “Elle, it’s been ages.”
“It’s been a month.” I laughed and hugged him. “You’re late.”
“Nah, you’re all just early.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s funny, we were just talking about you.”
Naomi glared at me. If looks could kill, I’d be dead. It served her right for doing it to me when Viktor came outside.
Craig scratched the back of his neck. “All good things, I hope.”
“Always good things when Nai and I talk about you.”
Naomi cleared her throat. “We should join Felix.”
“Right, uh, I’ll find you later, Elle.” He looked at me hopefully before being dragged away by Naomi.
Once they were gone, Viktor leaned toward my ear, sending a tingle through my skull. “Careful, doll. He likes you.”
My heart skipped a beat. Had I heard right? “What, Craig? No. No, no.”
“He does. I can tell. I’m a guy, trust me.”
“He likes Nai.”
He shook his head. “Not like that. It’s all in the body language. Don’t worry, I can see you don’t like him. You were standing far too close to me to notice him.”
“You’re so full of yourself.”
“I guess a little.”
I placed a hand on my hip. “Well, I’m not amused.”
He held his index finger and thumb close together. “You are a tiny bit.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “You’re wrong about Craig.”
“I’m never wrong, but you’re welcome to stay in denial. Your friend can do better than him anyway. She’s beautiful.”
My stomach dipped. Did Viktor like her? I should be happy. She clearly crushed on him, but my heart still ached a little. Stupid heart. “She is. Maybe you should ask her out.”
He chuckled. “I’m good; plus, I’m not the girlfriend kind of guy. I don’t imagine you’d want me to have a fling with your best friend.”
My stomach settled. “No, not a fling.”Not anything. The thought flashed into my mind, unwelcome. “I’m going inside. I’m hungry.”
“I’ll join you.”
Maddox appeared from around the gate with Felix. “Elle, Viktor. I’m letting everyone stay tonight. It’s late, so I figured we’d make a night of it, and they can leave tomorrow.”
I looked Felix up and down. I’m sure he had one more reason for this spur-of-the-moment sleepover. After what Viktor had said about Craig, the last thing I wanted was for them to spend the night. Not that I fully believed it but he had always been eager to hang out with me, and the more I thought about it, the more the truth seeped in.
“Oh, Nai.” I sighed when I saw her round the same corner, with Craig, both laughing. He stopped and waved when he saw me.
